Awakening Case

In The Awakening, Kate Chopin utilizes the motif of triumph over tragedy to show how even if someone has a perfect life, they can still feel the tragedy of not having what they think really matters. Edna Pontellier, the protagonist, goes through a number of events that help her reveal who she really is. Yet with her driving efforts to become the strong, independent woman, the problem at hand is that she is a woman in the 1800's, which conflicts with her need to become an true individual. Throughout the novel, Edna is helped by a few characters, but the one that made the lasting impression was Mademoiselle Reisz.

Mademoiselle Reisz is an unpopular older lady but has an extraordinary gift as a pianist. She is not married nor does she have children, thus letting her devote all her life to music. Mademoiselle provides a muse for Edna, representing the independence and freedom that she yearns for. Even with the realization that neither Edna nor Mademoiselle Reisz could claim to like each other, Edna longs for her companion when she returns home and seeks to search for her independence. Mademoiselle is also the only person to know of Edna's feelings toward a young man named Robert.