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The Symbolism Of Birds In Chopin's The Awakening

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“A green and yellow parrot, which hung in a cage outside the door, kept repeating over and over” (Chopin, 1) Symbol- the parrot’s noise Foreshadowing Chopin uses the motif of birds in her novel such as at the beginning to introduce the ideas of freedom and being caged in order to tie them into her female characters. “When she heard it there became before her imagination the figure of a man standing beside a desolate rock on the seashore. He was naked. His attitude was one of hopeless resignation as he looked toward a distant bird winging its flight away from him.” (Chopin, 28) Imagery Symbol- the birds flight away Chopin uses imagery to emphasize the motif of the birds and the symbolism in its flight away from the naked man. The meaning …show more content…

This demonstrates Edna’s craving for freedom and equality that is growing ever since her swim. “Edna spent an hour or two in looking over some of her old sketches. She could see their short-comings and defects, which were glaring in her eyes.” (Chopin, 58) Personification- the paintings and sketches Chopin uses Edna’s sketches and personifies them to exhibit their role as a symbol of Edna’s inner growth. As an artist, her satisfaction and expression in her art hold deep meaning with how she is growing in her awakening. The sketches “glaring” at her have a deep connection with her “short-comings and defects.” “A feeling that was unfamiliar but very delicious came over her. She walked all through the house, from one room to another, as if inspecting it for the first time.” (Chopin, 78) Simile As a major setting, Chopin uses the freshly empty house as a symbolic stepping stone on Edna’s journey to self-discovery. The simile, when she is observing the empty house, exemplifies how new the world Edna is walking into is to her, as well as demonstrating her ignorance of the

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