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Chapter 5
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 Pontellier wonders why she followed Robert to the beach, though she had not wanted to go. She is beginning to become aware of her place in the world—she feels a new understanding settling on her, and it makes her gloomy and thoughtful.
Edna’s awakening is still in a hesitant, transitional phase. She has become aware of her individuality and her opinions, but she is not quite sure how to act on these new impulses.
Themes
Literary Devices
Quiz
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