Symbolism in Kate Chopin's "The Awakening"

Kate Chopin's The Awakening is a literary work full of symbolism. Birds, clothes, houses and other narrative elements are powerful symbols which add meaning to the novel and to the characters. I will analyze the most relevant symbols presented in Chopin's literary work. BIRDS The images related to birds are the major symbolic images in the narrative from the very beginning of the novel: "A green and yellow parrot, which hung in a cage outside …

…Reisz's loneliness makes clear an adequate life, according to Creole society, can not be built upon female independence. Although she has a secure sense of her own individuality and independence, her life lacks love, friendship or warmth. What Edna chooses for her identity is a combination od Adále Ratignolle and Mademoiselle Reisz, more honest in self-identity than Adéle and more dependent on human relationships than Mademoiselle Reisz.