The Various Images of Birds in the Novel the Awakening - Essay Example

Birds, as may be perceived via the turn of the narrative, serves as a collective embodiment of a situation in conflict and personal crisis that the awakening process in Edna’s life eventually seeks to resolve as the story begins with a parrot that repetitively utters, “Allez Vous-en! Allez Vous-en! Sapristi! That's all right!” Chopin appears to weave an introduction that implicitly communicates to the readers that such a bird would portray not only a minor part of the background but, most significantly, a crucial aspect of Edna’s domestic struggles. The parrot is a caged bird which can only mimic or repeat after someone else’s utterances. This particular attribute is later realized in the state of being that confines, Edna. Though not materially deprived, she is entrapped in a living where she cannot proceed beyond the uncompromising ethics and social demands of the society around her. Like the parrot, Edna cannot express the psychological and emotional truth in herself, which would only manifest whenever she confers with Mademoiselle Reisz during special instrumental moments. Edna becomes overly drawn to the melodies created by Reisz’s music through the piano that she, consequently, manages to regain her sense of self and passion in the long run.

On the outside, the parrot is such a sight that radiates physical beauty in bright colours of yellow and green. Similarly, Edna projects an overall favourable countenance that hides her true self, which her traditional function has overcome as a housewife and mother. Other Victorian women at the time also yield to the condition that quite resembles that of a caged bird. By the dictates of the norm and prevailing moral judgment in their society, all they could ever do is go with the flow without the slightest resistance so that any feeling of dissatisfaction or absence of real contentment is dissolved behind remarkable clothes and mask of good gestures or decorum as symbolized by the look of colourful feathers.

Aside from the parrot, the mockingbird designated at the opposite spot generates a lyrical sound as if to describe the nature of Mademoiselle Reisz. Compared to the other bird, the mockingbird exhibits a unique trait of mimicking songs produced by other creatures and to this extent, one may imagine the woman’s profound love for music and her craft, which the image of the mockingbird represents. At this stage, Edna is further distinguished from the older lady about the degree by which each woman can demonstrate inner potential, especially when pursuing art, which is common to both. It takes a neighbour and company like Mademoiselle Reisz to awaken sleeping sensations of Edna. Their commitment to the life of domestic duties and dependence on her husband, Léonce, have separated mainly her from the wellness of cultivating oneself toward fulfilment.

Moreover, while the mockingbird can receive greater appreciation due to its captivating laryngeal abilities, it would be difficult for the parrot to be understood based on intrinsic behaviour. Just as the latter can barely deliver messages other than the mimicked ones, Edna, in the same fashion, fails to convey herself for everyone’s comprehension because the system, like a snare, prevents her from exploring her nature and way of thinking over essential matters. Then, “The Awakening” progresses to show images of wild birds in flight which, apart from the birds in a cage, makes the complete expression of freedom in Edna’s vision. Such birds soar high above the skies, where all spaces and movements are boundless, and this picture gives the protagonist a reason to build the courage to break free from her old self.