The Awakening Identity Quotes Page 3

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Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

She let her mind wander back over her stay at Grand Isle; and she tried to discover wherein this summer had been different from any and every other summer of her life. She could only realize that she herself--her present self--was in some way different from the other self. That she was seeing with different eyes and making the acquaintance of new conditions in herself that colored and changed her environment, she did not yet suspect. (14.9)

Edna realizes she is changing, but does not realize how it affects the way she views of the world. In other words, she is somewhat unaware of the identity changes she has undergone.

Quote #8

"I feel like painting," answered Edna. "Perhaps I shan't always feel like it."

"Then in God's name paint! but don't let the family go to the devil. There's Madame Ratignolle; because she keeps up her music, she doesn't let everything else go to chaos. And she's more of a musician than you are a painter."

"She isn't a musician, and I'm not a painter. It isn't on account of painting that I let things go."

"On account of what, then?"

"Oh! I don't know. Let me alone; you bother me." (19.4-8)

By choosing to develop her talent at painting, Edna consciously breaks from her expected role as a housekeeper. Her neglect of household duties isn’t about a sudden preference for painting, but rather a sudden preference for independence.

Quote #9

In short, Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her. (6.3)

This is Edna’s awakening.

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