Creating a social stir when it was introduced in 1899, The Awakening was labeled one of the first feminist novels as it fit in with the rapidly growing group of young women demanding political and social equality . The reader witnesses Edna Pontellier's transformation from a beautiful caged parrot to a free-flying disabled bird. The avian symbolism in the novel is evident as readers point out her tribulations from bird to bird as she charts an unheard of path in her upper-class world, but ultimately finds that she is unable to survive in this new environment of feminist individualism . .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The novel is introduced with an image of a colorful parrot screeching words of anger. Two translations of his dialogue are "Go away! Go away! For heaven's sake!" and "Go away! Go away! Damn it!" Both phrases convey an unpleasant environment, as traditionally a parrot repeats words spoken by humans. To set the tone for the story, the parrot, although beautiful and well cared for, is not free and is unhappy. Her position resembles that of all women in the male-dominated world of the early 20th century. More specifically, though, the bird represents Edna and the lack of real attention she receives from her husband Leonce (Bookwolf 1). She is dissatisfied with her marriage, although no outward activity can presuppose this, since her husband provides her with a lot of money and sends her many gifts. Although he is very devoted, he provides no passion in the marriage as he expects her to take on the typical role of the wife of a wealthy New Orleans businessman. Edna's spirit is too wild and free to succumb to a life of submission, and she will soon learn that she would rather give up the many social benefits she enjoys for a life of freedom. Accompanying the parrot in a separate cage is a simple mockingbird whose song is much more beautiful but whose appearance is dull and plain compared to the parrot. This thrush represents Edna's friend and advisor, Mademoiselle Reisz, a dowdy old maid whose awkward social skills and gruff mannerisms leave her virtually friendless. His extraordinary music, like the mockingbird, impresses everyone, however, and Edna is mysteriously drawn to his piano playing as they form an understanding affinity. Although Edna is crowded with friends, Mlle. Reisz is the only one to recognize Edna's desire to free the parrot "he could speak a little Spanish, and even a language that no one understood, unless it was the mocking bird that hung on the other side of the door, whistling his flute notes." out on the breeze with maddening persistence" (Chopin 468). The parrot, like Edna, is well realized, although its language can only be interpreted by the mockingbird, recognized solely for its musical ability. Leonce's reaction to the singing of the birds pushes him in, as he is obviously upset and disgusted by their commotion. The contemporary man of this time would probably be upset by a woman who considered herself equal to him, expressing her own opinions and neglecting the immediate desires of a man's opinions radicals like these were not only deemed non-Christian, but were so socially unacceptable that they endangered the family's business. His leaving the porch also represents a man's ability to discard women whenever they stopped entertaining, implying that they. women served the sole purpose of being seen and not heard (Fleischman 1). A few weeks later, Edna and Mlle were reunited at a social gatheringon the beach. The atmosphere is full of typical joy: children playing, people enjoying delicacies and adults dancing. Although Edna appears to be enjoying herself, it is in the presence of everything she internally despises: the conventional society she wishes to free herself from. The parrot is present again and screams the same disapproval expressed in the first lines of the novel. During a performance by the Farival twins, two girls who represent perfect children as they are dressed in blue and white to represent holiness, the parrot "was the only being present who possessed enough candor to admit that he was not hearing these graceful performances for the first time that summer." (Chopin 485) His “nature poison” was released when he interrupted the twins' supposedly adorable act. Although she has yet to admit it, Edna also despises their duet, as it represents everything in her life that her character rejects. These sentiments are later echoed by Mlle. Reisz who, when asked about his summer, responds that it was "rather pleasant, if it had not been for the mosquitoes and the Farival twins" (Chopin 506). Later that evening, Mlle. Reisz plays for the audience and during his performance Edna finds herself stunned as she is transported to another place on the wings of Mlle. Reisz's notes. A certain piece, titled “Solitude,” evokes another image of a bird in which we can assume it represents Edna's position. "It was a short, plaintive, minor piece. When she heard it she thought of the figure of a man standing beside a desolate rock on the seashore. He was naked. His attitude was one of desperate resignation as he looked towards a distant bird that flies away from him" (Chopin 487). She is one of the very few women of her time who believes in her own rights, hence the title of the work and the solitary flight of the bird. However, she has finally realized that she cannot survive her current lifestyle as a devoted wife and mother. Like the bird, he must fly away from the tensions of society and his family, represented by the man standing on the shore looking desperately towards his flight. The bird is strong and doesn't look back: Edna has taken her first step towards freedom. It is that night that she admits to herself for the first time her passion for her friend Robert and for the first time denies her husband's requests. Upon her return to New Orleans, Edna is once again entrenched by the tensions of society and motherhood, and she gradually denies them all. First, she is not available to take calls because she is out, prompting a lot of scolding from her husband. The final straw is drawn when he moves from his elaborate mansion to a more modest abode. He has not forgotten his understanding companion, Mlle. Reisz, who supports her lover for Robert, and often makes trips to see the old lady. It is during one of these visits that Mlle. Reisz touches Edna's shoulder blades to "see if her wings were strong", saying: "The bird that would fly above the plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings. It is a sad sight to see the weak bruised, exhausted, flutter back to earth" (Chopin 533) Mlle. Reisz seems to be the only one who truly knows Edna, realizing that she will try to escape by abandoning the conformism of society. Although Mlle. Reisz warns her against failure, she continues to provide her with advice, encouragement, and an ideal role model as one who can survive without being a successful wife and devoted mother. (Smollett 2) As she moves into her smaller, more comfortable house around the corner, Edna appropriately calls it "the pigeon house." Here she is free to behave inappropriately towards a woman of her social standing as she has denied her husband's wishes and attends a>