The Awakening

While reading The Awakening, I couldn’t help but to find one scene very intriguing. At one point Edna admits to never learning how to swim yet proceeds to explore the sea, finding the inner strength and freedom that she never came in touch with. As she wandered out into the sea, she quickly became aware of how far she had gone out, and although she had not gone as far as an “experienced swimmer” may have, she feels great pride in the distance she made. She does, however, feel a moment of terror as she becomes quickly aware with her insecurity of being inexperienced. She overcomes those moments of insecurity and proceeds back to shore feeling a high from her experience. I personally believe that the sea called to Edna’s inward and sensual side. “A feeling of exultation overtook her, as if some power of significant import had been given her soul. She grew daring and reckless, overestimating her strength. She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before” (Pg 27). This quote is a brilliant symbol for the awakening of the New Woman, redefining herself contrary to society.