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Chapter 28
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Awakening, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Convention and Individuality
Women’s Rights, Femininity, and Motherhood
Realism and Romanticism
Action and Reflection
Freedom and Emptiness
Summary
Analysis
Edna rushes to arrange her move into the smaller house. She moves all her things and cleans and decorates the new house with the help of her servants. Arobin comes to visit her as she does work in the new house, and insists on helping with the manual labor. The party is scheduled to take place at the old house in two days’ time: it will be very glamorous, and Edna will use Pontellier’s accounts to pay for it. After the party, she will move to the new house for good. Soon after, Edna insists that Arobin leave her. She invites him to the party, but refuses to see him before then.
As her emotional and spiritual life becomes increasingly confusing and vague, Edna compensates with vigorous changes in her practical life. She enjoys her handiness and physical strength, and it briefly helps her recapture her spiritual firmness as well: she has the conviction to show Arobin the door, and to see him only on her terms, at her convenience.
Themes
Quiz
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