The Awakening Synthesis Essay

FRQ Essay: The Awakening Some works of literature use literary elements to explore social issues. Such a case is evident in The Awakening, where the author, Kate Chopin, unveils Edna Pontellier’s conflicts through symbols and diction. These elements enhance the meaning of the work as a whole that: “An intellectual independence goes hand in hand with societal isolation.” The most significant symbol involving both independence and isolation is the “pigeon house”. Edna is subservient to Léonce and everyday has to look at all his material possessions. She faces the issues of Victorian social norms, that women are in control by men. In order to stay away from this living and to become independent, Edna moves into the pigeon house. Becoming an …show more content…
This occurs as Edna is under a social duty to receive visitors on Tuesdays. This reception day is to greet visitors and maintain business relations for the Pontelliers. Edna refuses to follow these standards and to be a good housewife. As the novel states it: “en bonne ménagère.” This use of French diction not only gives the reader an exposure to another language but also emphasizes the social issue of women being forced into tradition as a housewife. Edna makes a lone decision to refuse her duty which brings her to paint more often with her new free time. This presents the work as a whole, as Edna is more independent of her decisions, it leads her have a more solitary life. Another piece of diction is Emerson. Chopin uses this author to explain the greater value on emotion and intuition than on reason or rationalism as he was a transcendental writer. The use of Emerson brings up the social issues in Edna’s mind to follow her intuition rather than the rules of society. Overall, this brings the independence of Edna, to stay at home and refuse to attend her sister’s wedding. This consequently brings Edna to solitude at home: eating alone, having peace, and reading in