The Awakening

By John, Daniel, Stella, Ethan, Yannick, and

Medhane

Motifs

One of the motifs in the Awakening is the repeated use of water as a symbol of free flowing freedom. Throughout the text,there are subtle references to water and beaches, which then come back in the final, which is perhaps the most important scene of the text.

John’s analysis

“ When she and Robert stepped into Tonie’s boat, with the red lateen sail, misty spirit forms were prowling in the shadows and among the reeds, and upon the WATER were phantom ship, speeding to cover.” (42)

These lines reference the motif of water as a symbol of freedom in the text. Water flows forever and if one were to go on a boat with an infinite amount of food and water, they could just travel the seas and be free forever.

Edna Edna relationship to other characters:

Edna has a loving relationship toward Robert because when she woke up she asked him if they were the only people left behind of their race on earth. This is Edna showing her love for Robert because she implies that she would love for them to be completely alone.

More EdnaQuote: Robert says, you have

slept precisely one hundred years. I was left here to guard your slumbers; and for one hundred years I have been out under the shed reading a book. The only evil I couldn't prevent was to keep a broiled fowl from drying up."

Daniel’s quoteAnalysis: It shows that the love Edna feels for

Robert is reciprocated because he encourages her fantasy by adding to it. This means he likes the idea of the two of them being with each other instead of Edna being married to someone else. It also suggests that he would always be with her if they were together because he said that he stayed the entire one hundred years guarding her.

Point of View

A third person limited point of view is taken in chapter 13.

-It reveals only Edna’s thoughts and emotions, which is limited to the fondness of Robert and an overall feeling of more stability.

-As for Robert’s and Madame Antoine’s emotions they are merely hinted at through the interactions they have with the protagonist.

Yannick’s quote

“The long line of little gray, weather-beaten houses nestled peacefully among the orange trees. It must always have been God’s day on that low, drowsy island, Edna thought.” (P.38)-This is depicting Edna’s positive outlook of the island, which sparks her happiness throughout the chapter.     This quote also attributes details to the setting of the chapter.

Symbols Sea: "misty spirit forms were prowling in the shadows and among the reeds, and upon the water

were phantom ships, speeding to recover" (pg 42) This quote shows the detrimental effects of freedom. Even though in  the beginning of the text the sea is seen as a symbol for freedom, the sea symbolizes something else in chapter 13.  From the quote, we detect an eerie feeling which possibly foreshadows Edna's death, showing the negative consequences of freedom.

Clothes: "Edna, left alone in the little side of the room, loosened her clothes, removing the greater part of them." (pg 39)Clothes represent conformity. Back then, women had to cover themselves up since it was forbidden to show skin. When Edna changes, she begins to wear less clothes and shows more skin. This shows her growing independence from society.

Madame Antoine's homeMadame Antoine's home represents a temporary freedom from society.When Edna takes a nap in Madame Antoine's home, she takes loosens her clothes, which shows that she is freeing herself further from society. Later, after Edna wakes up from her nap in Madame Antoine's home in Grand Isle, we also see a more independent side of Edna. She says, 'How many years have I slept?' (pg 40) From this quote, we can see  that her old self is washed away, that she is now someone new. Base on this quote, we can see Edna's transformation from an oppressed woman to a more independent individual. 

Stella’s Quote "How many years have I slept?" she inquired. "The whole island seems changed.

A new race of beings must have sprung up, leaving only you and me as past relics.”

From this quote, we learn about Edna's transformation. We physically see the change that Edna experiences. In the beginning of the story, Edna feels oppressed by society. She hates that her husband makes her feel subordinate to him. However, after Edna and Robert develop mutual feelings for each other, Edna begins to change. The two lovers begin to spend time together and Edna begin to become more independent from society. She goes with Robert to Grand Isle, where she further develops a sense of independence. Her short trip to Grand Isle further frees Edna from oppression. When Edna takes a nap in Madame Antoine's home, she takes loosens her clothes, which shows that she is freeing herself further from society. Later, after Edna wakes up from her nap in Madame Antoine's home in Grand Isle, we also see a more independent side of Edna. She says, 'How many years have I slept?' (pg 40) which implies that her old self is washed away and that she is now someone new. From this quote, we can see Edna's transformation from an oppressed woman to a more independent individual. 

Setting

The setting in chapter 13 is very eerie. The protagonist seems to feel uncomfortable and sad throughout the chapter. As soon as the chapter starts, the reader is told that Edna felt extremely oppressed and drowsy while at the service. We are then told that the church had a very stifling atmosphere, making clear to us that Edna was not comfortable at all. In this chapter, the setting and environment is used to emphasize and make clear the emotions that the characters are feeling. By inserting various dark, grim aspects into the setting Chopin is able to highlight the gloomy nature of the service.

Medhane…

They were outside in the shadow of the church, Robert was full of solicitude”this quote makes clear that there was uneasiness present amongst some of the characters. The shadow of the church serves as an indicator of dark emotions. It is even clearer that the environment is eerie and glum, when the reader is told that Robert was full of solicitude. His anxiety serves as proof that the environment was not warm and friendly but instead, sad and gloomy.