"The Awakening" by Kate Chopin - Analysis and symbolism

"The Awakening" by Kate Chopin, provocatively illustrates the sexual and emotional awakening of the female protagonist, Edna Pontellier. Although it was publically scorned when it was first published in 1899 for its racy content, it is now considered one of the strongest feminist novels of American Literature. The novel successfully highlights the issues of feminism through Chopin's criticism of the patriarchal society that drowns Edna, despite her struggle to stay afloat. Edna's distinct difference from typical …

…imagery at the end of the novel with the broken winged bird parallels with the bird in Mademoiselle Reisz's metaphor. Edna has clearly failed to rise above tradition, despite her rebellious actions to stay afloat. Many people may scrutinize Edna for seemingly committing suicide after being rejected from Robert. On the contrary, by Chopin's decision to kill off a strong independent character such as Edna, shows how societal pressure can crush a newly discovered woman.