The Awakening

In The Awakening by Kate Chopin, many characters add to the intriguing plot of the novel. Edna, the main character who undergoes a surprising character development, is very dynamic and many sides of her are revealed. However, a vital part of Edna’s development is because of the presence of Adèle Ratignolle. Though Edna surely would have developed as a character from beginning to end of The Awakening, Adèle often acts as a major influence in motivating Edna to abandon her old lifestyle in which she is defined by caring for her children and attending to her husband’s needs; Edna is pictured at the beginning of the novel crying in the middle of the night due to her unhappiness in her life. Although Edna is directly inspired by the life that Mademoiselle Reisz leads, in which she does as she pleases and is free of the duties of being a “good wife”, Adèle always seems to be someone who Edna can relate to and ask for help from. “Madame Ratignolle kissed Edna good-night” (145). Clearly, Edna and Adèle grow to be close friends, and are there for each other throughout The Awakening. The relationship between the characters adds to each of their qualities.