When reading “The Awakening,” I took note of the way in which Edna had her revelation. It was not some sudden blow to the head or anything of the sort, but instead a gentle rousing, a coercion to begin seeing the world in a new light. I believe this is a far more realistic depiction of an internal awakening — religious, sexual, romantic, or spiritual — than the alternative. Furthermore, from Edna’s description of her past, it was not as though she was deeply depressed or traumatized from some great upheaval in her life. She would run through the fields of her childhood property without thinking much of anything in particular. Yet in the course of events within the story, Edna somewhat reenters that stage of her life, albeit with more intense emotions than before and constant pondering throughout her days, whether for her art or concerning her lovers/friends/acquaintances.
The restriction imposed by Edna’s husband and her disregard of him in favor of her own freedom is especially noteworthy. The story does not place any special significance upon their first meeting or their wedding (Edna even reportedly told her husband that a wedding is ‘one of the most lamentable spectacles on earth’). Mr. Pontellier firmly believes that wives ought to be submissive to their husbands, and as Edna has become insolent in his eyes since their vacation, he asks his friend Dr. Mandelet to examine her. The doctor responds that such behaviors are perfectly fine among women, even calling women as a whole ‘a very peculiar and delicate organism.’ By leaving for New York, Mr. Pontellier inadvertently allows Edna an exponential amount of additional freedom, which she takes full advantage of. There are multiple observations throughout the novel regarding Edna’s radiance, healthy glow, and renewed jubilation in character. All of these characteristics can be equated to her discovery of her own independence and discovery of free thought.
One prominent character was Mademoiselle Reisz, with her sharp tongue and general dislike of society. In spite of her disagreeable nature, she was able to contribute to Edna’s awakening through her piano-playing, artistic and free-flowing. It is even during a visit to Reisz that Edna feels comfortable to act in a more masculine manner, throwing back her drink ‘like a man.’ She is also somewhat able to temper Edna’s infatuation with Robert by controlling Edna’s access to letters written by Robert (even though they are written for Reisz’s eyes only).
There are several different factors that contribute to Edna’s awakening throughout the novel, and these are only a few of the numerous ones that can be distinguished, although I found them to be among the most important for Edna’s development.