Tuesday, October 15, 2019
The Awakening - the Sea Essay Example for Free
The Awakening the Sea Essay The sea in The Awakening represents not only Ednaââ¬â¢s self-awakening, evolution and growth, but also the combination of freedom and death. In her search for freedom, the sea plays a part in the realization that the only way to achieve freedom is through death: her true awakening. We go as far as to say that throughout the novel, Edna is aware of this dark truth, but only on a subconscious level, which is why she only sees the sea as place of self-expression and freedom, but nothing deeper until the very end. She is alone in this awareness, which really isnââ¬â¢t manifested until her one-on-one encounter with the sea and the abysses of solitude, even though she is quite the loner throughout the novel. These meetings with the sea show a progression in Ednaââ¬â¢s life, from afraid and dependent, to confused and in transition, to confident and fully awakened to her inevitable fate, the truth, the answer and only way out. This marks a loss of innocence and naà ¯vetà © of sorts, her turning from a pretty selfish and capricious child to a kind of responsible, strong and illuminated adult. Ednaââ¬â¢s awakening and full transition from childlike to knowing was one full of difficulty and obstacles to surmount. The sea is simply a symbol of that evolution: the two main encounters with it are completely representative of Edna Pontellierââ¬â¢s isolated shift from dissatisfied and confused to entirely free of any restriction. It helps her come to realize that she shouldnââ¬â¢t expect or hope for anything from the society she lived in, no matter what she attempted to gain freeness from, including love affairs with anyone, whether it be Alcà ©e or Robert. The sea is the one and only thing guiding her real awakening, because itââ¬â¢s the only possible way to progressively gain complete independence, and, in the end, freedom through her death.
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