Finding freedom in the Awakening In her novel The Awakening, Kate Chopin shows Edna Pontellier's confrontation with society, her imprisonment in marriage, and her exploration of her sexuality by Edna. Chopin also portrays Edna as a rebel, who after her experiences on Grand Isle wants to live a full and free life and not follow society's rules. Edna's life ends in suicide, but her death is no surprise. Chopin foreshadows Edna's death through the use of nature and Edna's connection to it; also through the use of symbols, especially the symbolic meaning of a bird; and by the use of many different characters in the novel, such as Robert Lebrun, Mademoiselle Reisz, and Madame Ratignolle. Edna is a very romantic character, who turns to nature for comfort. She "searches for herself" in nature (508). But the surrounding environment is not comforting to her. He hears voices "from the darkness, from the sky above and from the stars" that are "not soothing"; the voices “taunted and played sorrowful notes without promise, devoid even of hope” (508). Edna would like to feel the embrace of nature on her but instead she does not feel "relieved" and hears a "mourning lullaby" (471). This dark presentation of nature foreshadows future events in Edna's life. Kate Chopin uses the symbolic meaning of a bird to deepen the meaning of the story and foreshadow upcoming events. In "The Awakening" a bird symbolizes Edna Pontilier herself. At the beginning of the novel, Edna is the "green and yellow parrot" caged "outside the door," who says, "Go away! Go away! For God's sake!" (467). Edna feels trapped in her marriage just like a caged bird and after meeting Robert she wants to "leave". Edna, the bird, decides to run away from her... middle of paper... out of Robert and a purpose in life, Edna chooses not to live. Edna's decision to end her life is the only way for her to escape reality. "The Awakening" has a tragic end, but it is the only possible end for Edna Pontellier. Edna feels trapped in the "cage" of society, in its rules and standards, and cannot find happiness if she follows the rules. She can't be happy without Robert, but Robert can't be with her. Edna feels like a trapped bird. He breaks free, only to find that his wings aren't strong enough. As Edna takes her last swim she feels like a happy child, running across the "meadow of blue grass" that "has no beginning or end" (558). For Edna it is the beginning of her freedom from everything. Works Cited Chopin, Kate. "The awakening". The Norton Anthology of American Literature, fifth edition, vol 2:WWNorton & Company Inc, 1998.