Mayer FeldmanAP LiteratureMs. Schuet, Block March 38, 2014¬1. Major ThemesIndependence and its implications: Being a novel associated with the idea of ​​a woman's independence, Edna's struggle for independence results in her ultimate isolation from her family and society. She lived in a social environment that limited a woman's ability to be free and express her individuality. Every action of individuality, its swimming in the ocean and its paintings, only leads to increasing retaliation from society. Social constraints, embodied by her husband and Robert's inability to be with Edna, make Edna lonely and isolated when she becomes independent, which implies that the woman, to be independent, will be alone. The Power of Self-Expression The simple act of swimming allows Edna to remember her true strength as an athlete. The inability to express her emotions ultimately limited her mindset and forced her to live a life regimented by society. However, through different ways of expressing herself, Edna is able to better understand herself as a person. He learns to talk about his sexual desires with his Creole friends. She learns art, a mode of expression that ignites a flame of passion within her that was not evident in any other form of expression. However, the suppression of his expression is what leads to his eventual suicide. She feels the constraints of society and realizes that her newfound passion will lead to a life of isolation. Instead of living this life of isolation, he chooses to kill himself. Children – a child's mindset: This type of awakening is similar to a child's awakening to a new perspective on the world. The title itself, awakening, is similar to the birth of a child. And...... middle of paper ......anything but herself and unable to connect with others.“'And, furthermore, to be successful, the artist must possess a soul brave.' (…) 'Brave, ma foi! The brave soul. The soul that dares and challenges'” As her love and passion for music, an art form in itself, begins to envelop Edna, she begins to want to play the piano with Madamoiselle Reisz. What Mrs. Reisz tells her, however, perfectly describes Edna's current situation. Living in a society where women are oppressed, defiance and courage are two counterintuitive qualities for a woman to have. Yet, Edna, during her awakening, learned challenge, courage, and self-expression, all associated with the art of playing the piano. This statement of open defiance, however, quantifies all past events for Edna, she understands what it truly means to be free and express one's emotions..