“She wanted something to happen, something, anything: she didn't know what” (Chopin). In Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, the reader meets Edna Pontellier, a passionate and rebellious woman. Throughout the novel, it becomes apparent how unstable Edna feels about her life. The reader can identify her by her thoughts, desires, and actions, which are entirely inappropriate for a wealthy woman of the time. In the novel, Edna awakens and finds the courage to make the changes she deems necessary. Kate Chopin is capable of establishing quality connections in order to symbolize her most intimate desires. Chopin does this by referencing the sea and birds, then using them to foreshadow Edna's end-of-life decision. The sea is generally used to express strength, life/death and calm. In TheAwakening, Kate Chopin uses the sea as a way to communicate Edna's strength and autonomy. Two references that examine this idea are made available: one for transforming one's body and one for transforming one's mind. Edna's experience of learning to swim transforms her body when she wakes up. Overcoming her fears and learning to swim is a significant experience because it shows how she manages to regain control of her body: “The voice of the sea speaks to the soul” (Chopin). This is a powerful statement because it represents how Edna undergoes a drastic change in character. She moves from listening and acting on societal influences to following her own mind and innermost desires. Both of these play an important role in understanding Edna's personal transformation from a quiet, fearful girl to a self-sufficient, independent woman. In many art forms, birds ......middle of paper ......as they progress, an awakening can be observed. This awakening greatly transforms Edna's body and mind. Kate Chopin makes this evident through her use of references to the sea, birds, and the foreshadowing of Edna's end-of-life decision. These quality connections show Edna's suffering, empowerment, and deepest desires throughout the novel The Awakening. Works Cited Chopin, Kate. Awakening. New York: Herbert S. Stone and Co., 1899. Print. Garrett Brown, Kimberly. “Cues and the power of foreshadowing in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening.” Goddard Blogs. The Pitkin Review. Spring 2010. Web. March 20, 2015.Mascarenhas, Cheryl. “The symbolism of birds and their meaning. »Buzz. Southern University. February 13, 2012. The web. March 20, 2015. Shmoop editorial team. “Birds in the Awakening”. Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc., November 11, 2008. Web. March 20 2015.