In The Awakening by Kate Chopin, the emotional state of the central character is often shown to the reader through the employment of literary techniques. Characterization helps draw parallels and contrasts between secondary characters andEdna Pontellier. Symbolism is used in order to outline Ednas progression as a character.At the very beginning of the book, there is constant reference to a caged bird. Thiscan be considered to be a reference to the caged life that Edna leads as a wife andmother in the late 19th century. The bird is described as speaking a common language andalso a language which nobody understood, unless it was the mocking-bird that hung onthe other side of the door... This is a reference to the trouble Edna had in making peopleunderstand what she felt about her life and her family, since her views differed from thestandard. The mockingbird next door could be either Robert or Mademoiselle Reisz, theindividuals who served as confidants to Edna. The bird metaphor continues throughoutthe book. At one point, Mademoiselle Reisz checks Ednas shoulder blades to see if herwings were strong....The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition andprejudice must have strong wings. It is a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised,exhausted, fluttering back to earth. Edna must be strong enough to survive her uprisingof sorts against traditional society. She would, however, rather be a wounded free birdthan remain caged. Another reference to birds is the name of Ednas temporary home, thePigeon House. Another important symbol is water. When Edna finally overcomes herinability to swim, she feels free and empowered. She has difficulty realizing that shecannot swim out as far as she would like to, i.e. she is not entirely self-dependent. It isthus ironic that she ultimately frees herself completely by drowning. Her suicide is heronly option in order to not sacrifice herself. If she lived, she would have to...
