Symbols And Settings In White Oleander And The Awakening
Symbols and Settings in The Awakening and White Oleander
Kate Chopin’s classic The Awakening and Janet Fitch’s modern tale of White Oleander, though set many years apart, share some of the same elements of fiction. Each possesses several key settings that are both recurring and prominent places in the stories. Much of the story takes place within these settings, making it easy for the audience to pick up on their distinction. Both stories also contain numerous symbols that help to convey the themes to the audience. These particular symbols are not subtle parts of the story and each play a central part of the piece.
Throughout all of The Awakening Edna Pontellier experiences a gradual development of independence and a sense of herself. One element that helps her form her self-sufficiency is her homes. Most notably is the hideaway that she and Robert seek refuge in which belongs to Madame Antoine. This shelter symbolizes not a home, but a temporary harbor away from the responsibilities of her husband and family with her lover. The illicit time she and Robert spend together on the Chênière Caminada is based on feelings of lust; “his face was suffused with a quiet glow when he met her,” (Chopin 44). Throughout the whole novel, Edna never has a defined “home”, and it seems that her homes are more of a prison.
The ocean setting also plays an integral part of Edna’s awakening in that her first and final awakenings occur in the sea. The “voice of the sea speaks to the soul,” and to Edna, that voice was crying individualism (Chopin 18). Edna’s indecisiveness about her relationships is what causes her ultimately to surrender to the sea. She allows the vast, powerful ocean with its “seductive, never-ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring” voice to overcome her and her troubles.
Edna only goes through the motions of being a wife and mother. By never allowing anyone to truly grow close to her, she gives her life to her family...
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