In Kate Chopin's The Awakening, Edna Pontellier is reborn and dies in the sea. As Edna swims by herself for the very first time, she feels a wave of independence. This prompts an "awakening" in which Edna goes through many drastic changes, defying traditional thought and social conventions. Edna finally drowns herself in the sea, ending her awakening. The reasons for Edna's outbreak into a new world can be shown through her passion for the …showed first 75 words of 733 total…

…showed last 75 words of 733 total…on her by society. She ignored the illusion and lived her life the way she chose. The awakening of Edna Pontellier is an extraordinary event that would not often occur in the 1800's. Edna proves herself independent of her husband and the "illusions" that are present all around her. She becomes a new women because of her passion for the sea. The ocean helps her find courage and self-esteem that she has never known before