Edna Pontellier's Sacrifice In 'The Awakening'

Words: 1330
Pages: 6
Open Document
Vanessa Keith
Mrs. Schroder
AP Literature & Composition
1 January, 2017

2014 Prompt: Sacrifice

In the novel The Awakening, Kate Chopin explores a woman’s spiritual revolution through the character Edna Pontellier. Edna deliberately sacrifices, surrenders, or forfeits many things that are important to her, and in doing so highlights her values. Throughout her journey, she discovers herself through powerful experiences and influential characters. By the end of the dramatic novel, Edna is able to figure out who she is, but that she is unfortunately incapable of handling her true self. In The Awakening, self-discovery leads Edna Pontellier to make life-changing sacrifices so that she can have freedom and independence; however, pursuit of these values …show more content…
On Grand Isle as Edna spends time with Robert, she learns to swim, an exhilarating event that symbolizes strength and growth. The sea holds great mystery for Edna, “The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace”(Chapter 6). Yet, once a symbol of sexual awakening, the sea is ironically where Edna takes her life. “The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation” (Chapter 6). Sadly, it is in the sea where Edna finds the true solitude, in death.
In conclusion, The Awakening depicts Edna Pontellier’s pursuit of personal values in the face of great sacrifice. While Edna shuns society’s expectations so that she can have freedom and independence, she does so by sacrificing her husband and her children. Tragically, she realizes that even with those sacrifices, she cannot live a happy life. In the end, through her own actions and responsibilities, she sacrifices everything, including her own
Show More

Related Documents: Edna Pontellier's Sacrifice In 'The Awakening'

Essay On Edna Pontellier's Character In The Awakening

The Awakening, three aspects of character development are demonstrated by Edna Pontellier. The first is Mrs. Pontellier’s longing for independence, which motivates her distinct series of actions. Next is one of the most revealing facets of Mrs. Pontellier - her poorly regarded priorities. And lastly, she experiences major depression and mood changes which exaggerate immensely when Robert moves away. Independence motivates the way Mrs. Pontellier begins to act. One day on the beach, Edna is swimming…

Words 582 - Pages 3

The Awakening Essay

The Awakening – First Draft Edna was fighting to be just as independent and free as her husband. She’s on a road of self-discovery, trying to find her true self, but everyone around her disregards what she says, only believing what her husband says. Edna’s behavior stemmed from her wanting attention that everyone was giving her. Edna has made several different transformations throughout this novel. All of these different transformations give her new outlooks on life on society and life. Edna then…

Words 798 - Pages 4

Edna Pontellier's Suicide In The Awakening

The Awakening by Kate Chopin details the struggles of a woman in New Orleans in the late 19th century, fighting societal norms to defend her individual values. The societal ideals of the time were not tailored to the individual, so those who did not conform essentially drowned, their individuality choked out by expectations of how they believe they should be. Edna searches for her own identity, branching away from what society expects of her, which makes her happy but ends up causing complications…

Words 790 - Pages 4

The Awakening and A Doll House Comparison Essay

worry about the rules and limitations like the women had to in this era. Edna in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin and Nora in “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen were analogous protagonists. The trials they faced were also very similar. Edna and Nora were both faced with the fact that they face a repressive husband whom they both find and exit strategy for. For Nora this involved abandoning her family and running away, while Edna takes the option that Nora could not do-committing suicide. These distinct…

Words 1220 - Pages 5

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Comparative Essay

In the novels, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kessey, and “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin, the theme of power pervades the narratives, driving characters to confront oppressive societal forces. No matter the differing settings and characters, both “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Awakening” examine power dynamics, showing the struggle for self-determination against oppressive societal forces. To compare and contrast the two novels, there are a few things that will be focused on…

Words 1208 - Pages 5

the awakening analysis Essay

In her daring novel The Awakening, Kate Chopin bravely exposes an unfamiliar attitude of feminism to an unprepared society in the form of Edna Pontellier. At the time, her work of fiction was not yet recognized as being respectable or even credible—due to the fact that the idea of feminism had not yet become popular. Since then, Edna Pontellier’s “awakening” has been viewed in a positive light by many modern feminist critics and described as an “intellectual and social” maturation or liberation of…

Words 1366 - Pages 6