The symbolic meaning of Edna's activities in The Awakening

英语2101张媛媛

In The Awakening, Edna's activities such as swimming, admiring horse races, painting and appreciating music had their own symbolic meanings. For Edna, learning to swim was a landmark achievement in her life: it marked her first taste of joys brought by independence, made her realize what she was capable of, and symbolized her desire for life and even experience of death. Edna's admiration for horse racing and her familiarity with and knowledge of this sport reflected the "masculinity" in her personality -- full of energy, knowledge and passion for horse racing, which suggested that she not only had the temperament to be self-conscious, but also a desire to break the stereotype of womanhood. Edna's painting activities represented her creativity, her passion for beauty and life, and her desire to gain appreciation, understanding and financial independence. Edna's ability to appreciate music, like her ability to draw, on the one hand reflected her good education, on the other hand also reflected her sensitive character.