The Awakening Post # 2

        Adele Ratignolle represents the ideal house wife and mother during the victorian era. In the beginning Edna placed her on a pedestal and sought to emulate her ideals. However, as Edna begins to venture into self reliance, the distance between her and the creole housewife becomes evident. It is in this way that she acts as a foil to Edna. As the story progresses their stark contrast grows even larger. Edna is starting to seriously consider art- career wise, while Madame Ratignolle sees her music as an outlet to further serve her family. After dinner with the Ratignolles Edna realizes that she will never be satisfied with a life as conventional as theirs is. Madame Ratignolle exists only to serve others. Her "blind contentment" appalls Edna, for she will never know of "life's delirium" (Chopin 107). Edna's desires lie in individuality and she herself admits to this when she confesses to Adele that she would not entirely give herself up,  even at the expense of her children.

       In the meantime Edna grows closer to Mademoiselle Reisz. Reisz is a self sufficient pianist who's passions are not hidden for fear of judgment. Edna yearns to be a woman in tune with her emotions the way Reisz is. By growing closer to her, Edna realizes she is capable of harnessing such ardent feelings. Though financially and emotionally stable, Reisz's life lacks warmth. She lacks the support of friendships and the intimacy of a relationship. Reisz serves as an even more blatant foil to Madame Ratignolle. Reisz lives in complete autonomy, yet her life lacks warmth, while Ratignolle lives as a servant to her home, but has a successful marriage. Their extreme distinctions demonstrate how Edna wants to fall somewhere in the middle. Edna seeks to evade Madame Ratignolle's "colorless existence" (Chopin 107) but is fearful of Mademoiselle Reisz's solidarity. Reisz is an independent women but she is alone. Ratignolle is ignorantly blissful at home with her husband but has unknowingly caged herself in. Edna yearns for her lover Robert, but also her spiritual and monetary independence. The usage of foils throughout the story further enhance Edna's "awakening." Ratignolle represents Victorian ideals while Reisz represents feminist ideals. The reader is able to appreciate Edna's transition by being introduced to these characters.