The moment Mrs. Pontellier learns to swim, the beginning and ending of her life is apparent. Mrs. Pontellier’s thoughts, emotions, and feelings hit her like a wave out at sea, overwhelming her with “The Awakening” of her spirit. She realizes that she is not just Mrs. Pontellier; she is and always would be Edna. It is important that the reader knows that Edna can swim so her death is portrayed as intentional rather than accidental. Edna sees her life flash before her eyes the moment she learns to swim (Chopin 38). At this time, she is not ready to die. She did not admit her true feelings for Robert yet, the one thing holding her back from suicide. It is ironic that Mr. Pontellier comforted his wife after her near-death experience, saying he was watching her the whole time to assure her safety. In the end, it is Mr. Pontellier who cannot save Edna from the ocean or herself. Edna, on her way to her death, sees “A bird with a broken wing…fluttering…down to the water,” (Chopin 156).
In many ways, this
bird symbolizes Edna herself. Edna was
hurt and damaged, her spirit broken like the bird’s wing. The dying animal was Edna’s dying soul; both were
awaiting the finish of their lives. The Awakening ends abruptly, just like Edna’s
life, leaving the reader to imagine the fate of Robert, Mr. Pontellier, and the
children.
Wow, I like how you compared the bird dying to Edna herself. Plus, the picture you posted with it describes it perfectly. And I totally agree with how The Awakening ended so abruptly and leaves the reader to imagine so much, I hated that so much, all I really wanted was a "happily ever after" :(((
ReplyDeleteI wanted a happily ever after too, but this was no fairy tale. it was full of suprises and very confusing at some parts. other than that it was a good book.
DeleteIs that a picture of David? I love that you connected Edna and the bird. I don't think many people made that connection.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the way you compared the bird and Edna. She struggled to fit in only to damage herself in the end just how the bird is damaged.
ReplyDeleteThe way you connected the bird and Edna is very true. I also agree that she was not ready to die. Edna had a lot of unfinished business left in this novel.
ReplyDelete