“She wanted something to happen, something, anything: she didn't know what” (Chopin). In Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, the reader is introduced to Edna Pontellier, a passionate and rebellious woman. Over the course of the novel, it becomes apparent how unstable Edna feels about her life. The reader can identify him by his thoughts, desires, and actions, which are highly inappropriate for a wealthy woman of the time. In the novel, Edna has an awakening and finds the courage to make the changes she feels are necessary. Kate Chopin is able to create quality connections to symbolize her innermost desires. Chopin does this by providing references to the sea and birds, and then using them to foreshadow Edna's end-of-life decision. The sea is typically used to express strength, life/death, and calm. In The Awakening, Kate Chopin uses the sea as a way to communicate Edna's strength and empowerment. Two references are made available that examine this idea: one for the transformation of his body and one for the transformation of his mind. Edna's experience learning to swim transforms her body as she wakes up. Overcoming his fears and learning to swim is a significant experience because it demonstrates how he is able to gain control of his body: “The voice of the sea speaks to the soul” (Chopin). This is a powerful statement because it represents how Edna undergoes a dramatic change in character. Go from listening and acting on societal influences to following your own mind and innermost desires. Both play an important role in understanding Edna's personal transformation from a quiet and fearful girl to an emancipated and independent woman. In many art forms, birds ...... middle of paper ......and progresses, a revival can be observed. This awakening greatly transforms Edna's body and mind. Kate Chopin makes this evident through the 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 innermost desires throughout the novel, The Awakening. Works Cited Chopin, Kate. The awakening. New York: Herbert S. Stone and Co., 1899. Print.Garrett Brown, Kimberly. “The clues left and the power of foreshadowing in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin. Goddard Blog. Pitkin's review. Spring 2010. Web. March 20, 2015. Mascarenhas, Cheryl. "The Symbolism of Birds and Their Meaning." Hum. University of the South. February 13, 2012. Web. March 20, 2015. Shmoop editorial team. "Birds in the awakening." Shmoop. Shmoop University, Inc., November 11, 2008. Web. March 20 2015.