Edna Pontellier's The Awakening

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In the “awakening” by Kate Chopin, Edna Pontellier’s attempt at learning to swim is a metaphor for her journey of self-discovery and freedom. Initially, Edna’s worry about swimming mirrors her reluctance to break free from social expectations. As she’s going to the beach for her first lesson, the narrator describes her as being scared of getting wet and afraid she would sink. This fear correlates with her fear of embracing her own desires and her identity outside of being a wife and mother. However, as Edna progresses through her swimming lessons, she becomes more confident. This reflects her growing sense of independence and her resistance towards societal expectations. The narrator describes Edna’s movement in the water as graceful and confident.
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