Analysis Of Symbolism In The Awakening

Kate Chopin, living at the end of 19th century, was one of the women writers who tried to make themselves recognized by the world. She wrote many short novels which were collected in Bayou Folk and A Night in Acadia. However, in 1899, she published her masterpiece The Awakening, in which she portrayed the figure of Edna, a new woman who rejected the traditional role of mother woman and pursued personal freedom and independence. Chopin and the novel received hostile attacks in that era when traditional forces were still prevailing and powerful.The novel was viewed by Chopin's contemporary critics as an immoral book because of its overcharged sexuality and passion. The norms and values preached by Chopin in the novel were also in serious conflict with the traditional ones. Soon the publication of the book was prohibited and Chopin herself was also forced to stop writing. Until 1960s, the Norwegian student Per Seyersted published The Complete Works of Kate Chopin, which made the American critics begin to revaluate this woman writer, Kate Chopin and her works. Many critics began to interpret it from many perspectives such as regionalism, romanticism, realism, naturalism and even transcendentalism.This thesis intends to confirm the importance of The Awakening, holding that The Awakening is a book of great spirit and Chopin is a writer ahead of her time. In this thesis I adopt the symbolism perspective to analyze the symbols and characters in The Awakening to explore the novel.In our opinion, The Awakening is full of symbols. There is often a central and powerful symbol in each narrative segment that adds meaning to the novel to underline some subtle point. Throughout the novel, Chopin conveys her ideas by using crafted symbols.This thesis is composed of four chapters, besides an introduction and a conclusion. Chapter one is about symbol. The first part analyzes the concept of symbol. Symbolism works under the surface to tie the story's external action to the theme. The significance of a symbol lies in its combination of concrete and abstract. The second part tells us the reasons that Chopin adopted the writing skill of symbol.Chapter two analyzes symbolism of the title. The title The Awakening can be understood as the awakening of the protagonist Edna. Edna emerges from her semi-conscious state of devoted wife and mother to a state of total awareness. Her awakening refers to her physical awakening, her spiritual awakening and her self-conscious'awakening. The title may also be read as Chopin's literary awakening, including Chopin's awakening of writing thoughts and writing style.The third chapter is about symbolism of characters. First are some women characters, Edna, Adele, Reisz etc. Then some men figures, Mr. Pontellier, Robert, Arobin and other men figures.The last chapter analyzes the symbolism of settings and activities, such as the bird, the sea, the music and swimming.