Throughout the book there are several inferences to birds. Chopin uses birds as extended metaphors that refer to Edna. The novel opens with a screaming parrot, whose Spanish was only understood by the mocking-bird. The frustrated parrot may represent Edna, who is trapped and like the parrot has no voice in worthwhile matters. Parrots can only repeat what they hear and in the beginning of the story Edna chose to follow along with the other house wives. The understanding mocking-bird is Mademoiselle Reisz. Reisz serves as Edna's confidant; "the woman, by her divine art, seemed to reach Edna's spirit and set it free (Chopin 133). Edna is often referred to as a caged bird. As a victorian woman she is trapped inside her very own gilded cage. In fact, even when Edna moves into the pigeon house, she is still trapped. Her ever-present loneliness can only be quelled by lustful intimacy with Alceé. Mademoiselle Reisz also metaphorically takes notice of Edna's "wings". Reisz examined Edna's shoulder blades to see if her wings were strong enough to "soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice" (Chopin 138). She was then warned that only those who were strong enough could complete the journey and not become too "exhausted" (Chopin 138) and flutter back down to Earth. Reisz's comment alludes to the legend of Icarus. Icarus met his death when his manufactured wings melted due to his overconfidence. This could possibly be foreshadowing Edna's outcome, or simply stand as a warning. Birds overall signify freedom-whether Edna has it or not. Once while Mademoiselle was playing the piano, Edna envisioned wild birds taking flight. Caged birds remind Edna of her entrapment while birds in flight signify the freedom Edna yearns for.
The pigeon as a symbol
Edna's new apartment is referred to as the "Pigeon house" (Chopin 140). She claims that the reason for this is because of its size but it could also be that she is the pigeon. Doves and pigeons are interrelated species but their connotations are very different. Doves are considered to be very pure, while pigeons are seen as dirty. Edna can no longer be considered a dove because she has committed adultery. If anyone is to find out about Edna's sins her reputation will suffer. Pigeons are also domesticated creatures. Although Edna has strayed from her husband she is still viewed as a domesticated Victorian woman.
Like you said Edna being symbolized as the bird does make a huge metaphor all through out the story. Edna is trapped in society rules like the bird trapped in the cage. As Edna goes through the stages of her awakening the symbolic bird does as well.
ReplyDeleteMademoiselle Reisz's examination of Edna's shoulder blades shows she is more intuitive than crazy. She recognizes that Edna is defying social norms: showing that women can be more than mothers and homemakers. She also knows Edna is going to need the strong wings of a hawk if she is going to fly over the excessive amounts of prejudice that surround her.
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