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Literary/Style Elements In The Awakening

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1. Quote: “As she swam she seemed to be reaching out for the unlimited in which to lose herself” (31).
Literary/Style Elements: Metaphor
Commentary: Chopin evokes the emotion of breaking free, or losing oneself within Edna for the reader to understand that the sea or ocean resembles the sense of renewal. Edna being connected to the unlimited reach uses the metaphorical representation for her to comprehend that she achieve things strictly to please herself.
Additional Ideas: This metaphor sets the mood in the novel, that it will be used to allow people or Edna more specifically to be happy.

2. Quote: “The water was growing cooler as the season advanced. Edna plunged and swam about with an abandon that thrilled and invigorated her” (53).
Literary/Style …show more content…

3. Quote: “The foamy wavelets curled up to her white feet, and coiled like serpents about her ankles…The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace” (124).
Literary/Style Elements: Simile and Imagery
Commentary: Chopin expands on the motif of the sea due to it being a key part of Edna finding the new and improved version of herself, yet it stands by like her calling to come join the ocean in being comforted in serenity from her problems. Edna in the simile with the serpents indicates that the ocean is also a guilty pleasure since it draws her to act on impulse rather her think rationally about decisions.
Additional Ideas: Serpents symbolically represent evil, therefore as they coiled at her ankles it was drawing her into the ocean without second thought.

1. Quote: “Then I’ll take you some night in the pirogue when the moon shines. Maybe your Gulf spirit will whisper to you in which of these islands the treasures are hidden-direct you to the very spot, perhaps” (38).
Literary/Style Elements:

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