Renewal

Rash

• Throughout The Awakening, Edna acts on a whim toward what she wants at the moment.
• She fails to think before she haphazardly performs her actions, often resulting in poor situations either for herself or for others.

Rash

• It can be argued that Edna was acting rashly in the final chapter when she swims out to her death. Was she planning to die, or was her death the result of a sudden urge to swim?
• "In a sweeping passion she seized a glass vase from the table and flung it upon the tiles of the hearth. She wanted to destroy something."

Empowered

• Edna's awakening sees her experience a radical change in behavior motivated by a new sense of empowerment.
• Edna's new confidence and refusal to take orders baffles her peers. Leonce is distraught and embarassed, Mademoiselle Reisz is intrigued, and Robert and Alcee are both, well, somewhat turned on.

Empowered

• "It shocked him. When Mr. Pontellier became rude, Edna grew insolent. She had resolved to never take another step backward. 'I feel like painting... Let me alone; you bother me.'"
• For the first time in her life, she realizes that nobody can control her thoughts, actions, or interests except her.

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