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Identity In Christina Williams The Awakening

296 Words2 Pages

Christina Williams makes an insightful argument that the role of identity overlays the feminist themes of the novel. Williams begins by arguing that Edna never lets herself break free of a man’s influence, nor does she ever let the idea of love go. While Edna’s motivation is in part due to her wish to follow her artistic passion, the concern that eventually leads to her death is of Robert, her lover. Edna begins and ends the novel in the same passive nature that she begins the novel; thus, it would make an unsuccessful feminist work. Williams states that Edna’s awakening is in large part due to natural causes, listing her connection to the sea as an example. She quotes, “the voice of the sea is seductive…the touch of the sea is sensuous…her

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