Kate Chopin s The Awakening - 1522 Words

Kate Chopin’s Use of Feminist Symbolism in The Awakening It is a bird, it is a plane, it is Edna! Edna Pontellier, a woman who challenges the patriarchal society, undergoes many hardships and development in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening. In the beginning of the novel, Edna is misunderstood and caged, depicted as a parrot. As the novel develops, Edna desires to soar above the patriarchal society and believes she has the ability to do so. Later, Edna moves into the ‘pigeon house’, attempting to escape her husband and this society as a whole. In doing so, however, Edna isolates herself, eventually leading to her suicide. While Edna expresses her desire to escape the patriarchal society, Kate Chopin’s bird symbolism depicted her inability to do†¦show more content†¦In doing so, Edna accepts her position in society. As a result, any desires against the patriarchal society maintain within the restraint of a cage, leaving Edna feeling misunderstood. While Leoncà © is reading his newspaper, the narrator describes a parrot who spoke â€Å"a language which nobody understood†¦Mr. Pontellier had the privilege of quitting their society when they ceased to be entertaining† (Chopin 3). This symbolism highlights Edna’s caged existence and her inability to truly express her feelings and emotions. Due to the control of the patriarchy, Edna’s husband often overpowers her thoughts, further developing traditional gender roles. Mr. Pontellier has no desire to understand Edna, as long as she stays within the confines of her metaphorical cage and continues to entertain him. This characterization of Leoncà © causes the reader to sympathize with Edna due to her inability to express her thoughts. Edna’s caged existence pleases her, until she perceives she can escape the patriarchal society. Shortly after, Mademoiselle Reisz provides Edna with a glimmer of hope, sparking Edna’s desire to become strong enoug h to soar above the patriarchal society. After spending much of her life held within a metaphorical cage, Edna begins to test the boundaries of the society. After attempting to learn to swim all summer, Edna walks out into the water overcome with confidence: â€Å"she grew