Symbolism
This element of the book is often used to symbolize freedom and self-discovery.
What is the sea/ocean?
Who is Edna Pontellier?
This couple are considered to have the "perfect" relationship that Edna's repeatedly compares her own marriage to.
The original cause of Edna's feeling of isolation or being an outcast.
What is her marriage/not conforming to society's expectations?
These are the two main locations/settings for the novel.
What are Grand Isle and New Orleans?
A religious based symbol often applied to the "perfect" woman or mother.
What is Madonna?
A devoted Creole wife and mother, seen as the embodiment of the "perfect" woman in their society.
Who is Adele Ratignolle?
These two women have a mirror relationship, with one reflecting back at the other her true desires and wishes for herself that are typically suppressed or ignored.
Who are Mademoiselle Reisz and Edna Pontellier?
This is the final step or the result of Edna's awakening.
What is Edna's drowning?
The time period in which the story takes place.
What is the 19th century? (1800s)
This moment symbolized the true start of Edna's awakening and her realization that she wasn't trapped by society's rules and expectations.
What is Edna's swim?
This person is a talented musician whose music is well-loved but their own person is seen as unconventional and rude.
Who is Mademoiselle Reisz?
A rakish socialite who pursues Edna physically and awakens her sensuality.
Who is Alcee Arobin?
This event is deemed the first major turning point in Edna's awakening, giving her the courage to speak up/act for herself.
What is Edna's swim?
The name of the house Edna moved into after leaving her marital home.
What is the pigeon house?
This is used to symbolize the entrapment or constraints placed on women in Creole society.
What is the caged bird?
The favorite son who is known to be outspoken, short-tempered and to push boundaries.
Who is Victor Lebrun?
This man is believed to have driven his wife to kill herself with his strict standards for their relationship.
Who is the Colonel? (Enda's father)
This is the consequence of Edna's awakening.
What is loneliness?
This is the state in which Edna was raised for a majority of her childhood.
The attempted destruction of this symbolized the entrapment Edna feels and the little she is able to do to free herself based on society's rules.
What is Edna's wedding ring?
This man is considered to have the most strongly voiced patriarchal (male-dominated/ruled) view on women's roles in the novel.
Who is Leonce Pontellier?
These are the names of both of Edna's sisters that she often didn't see eye to eye with, causing strain and resentment in their family.
Who are Margaret and Janet?
This is the excuse Edna's husband, Leonce, gives in an attempt to cover up her awakening and the decision to move out of their family home.
What is-- lying about their home needing renovated and their traveling Europe?
This person is considered to have encouraged Edna to abandon her domestic duties.
Who is Mademoiselle Reisz?