The Awakening: Written by Kate Chopin Copyright Published in 1899

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atonement:act of making a amends of wrongdoing

Léonce seemed like a guy who would fix something if he knew there was a problem. If he knew the way Edna was feeling he would fix his faults

languorous:lacking spirit or liveliness

The problem of Edna’s and Léonce marriage was that he treated her more like a father than a husband.the age gap between them didn’t help because Edna needed someone to treat her like and equal and let her be free.

caprice:sudden desire

Edna’s desire throughout the book is as to be free and loved. She got that with Robert but Robert cared too much of social thoughts.

Figurative language:

Symbol: “A green and yellow parrot, which hung in a cage outside the door, kept repeating over and over: "Allez vous-en! Allez vous-en! Sapristi! That’s all right!" (Chopin 1)

The cage bird represents Edna’s being stuck and not finding a way out and being unhappy in this situation.

Foreshadowing:"Allez vous-en! Allez vous-en! Sapristi! That’s all right!" (Chopin 1)

In the beginning of the book we can see that something is gonna go away at the end of the book due to the bird repeatedly saying “go away” in French

Personification: "The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation" (Chopin 161-162).

The ocean is being personified calling to Edna to come forth. This can be seen that Edna relationship with the ocean she feel safe to be around.

Irony: “T WAS ELEVEN O’CLOCK that night when Mr. Pontellier returned from Klein’s hotel. He was in an excellent humor, in high spirits, and very talkative. His entrance awoke his wife, who was in bed and fast asleep when he came in. He talked to her while he undressed, telling her anecdotes and bits of news and gossip that he had gathered during the day. From his trousers pockets he took a fistful of crumpled bank notes and a good deal of silver coin, which he piled on the bureau indiscriminately with keys, knife, handkerchief, and whatever else happened to be in his pockets. She was overcome with sleep, and answered him with little half utterances.”

This is ironic because he constantly is avoiding her and leaving her alone with nobody to talk to that’s one reason that Robert and Edna fall in love because they listen to each other. Léonce only talks to Edna when it’s convenient for him.