In “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin, there are three characters who represent the different expectations of their society. Reisz who represents independence and freedom, Edna who represents entrapment and Adele who represents society's ideal woman. Adèle is a mother who devotes herself entirely to her husband and children. She lives to serve her children and her husband and is a clear example of a mother woman. “Her name is Adèle Ratignolle. There are no words to describe her, except the old ones which have so often been used to describe the vanished heroine of romance and the beautiful lady of our dreams. Reisz is divorced and has no children. She devotes her life to music and is a living example of a totally autonomous woman. While Adele's life path is the one Edna should follow, Reisz's life path illustrates the path Edna seeks to find her true happiness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayCompared to Adele, who is ruled by her children and husband, Reisz is totally ruled by her love for herself, rather than by the social expectations of society. Edna is unhappy with her life and wants the freedom that Reisz has. “I would abandon the superfluous; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children, but I would not give myself. I can't be clearer; it is only something that I am beginning to understand, that is revealing itself to me. She wants to free herself from the burden imposed on her by her husband and children. Adèle's life is controlled by her husband and children. There are many reasons why Edna should follow Reisz and his lifestyle. Adèle experiences the socially expected life that Reisz abandoned for isolation and independence, but it is not a life that Edna would be happy with. Reisz is the exact model of what Edna wants to be in her life. Reisz is an independent and self-sufficient woman. On the other hand, Adèle is supposed to be Edna's best friend, but Madame Reisz is the only one who truly understands Edna's struggle. Throughout the story, Reisz becomes the most important role in Edna's awakenings. As Edna searches for some kind of freedom in her life, she turns to Reisz for help. Reisz tells Edna that she must remain courageous, that she must have a courageous and defiant spirit. “I don’t know you well enough to say that. I do not know your talent or your absolute gifts, which were not acquired through your own efforts. And what's more, to succeed, the artist must have a courageous soul. » Edna sees what her life would be like if she were independent from her husband and children. She could experience being independent, being able to engage in her passions and achieve her dreams. Edna sees Reisz and his happiness. Reisz does what makes her happy, refusing society's expectations. Reisz's happiness is more important to her than meeting society's expectations. Edna's suicide was ultimately foreshadowed throughout the book. His continued allusions to his unhappiness were the most important sign. She believed that death was the only way for her to be free from her husband and children. Death was the only way for her to escape her fate. She began to realize that she would never escape the life she had created for herself. She would never be satisfied with her place in life and would therefore always be unhappy. She wanted to be free, like Reisz. While alive, she would always have to take care of her husband and children and would never escape her trapped role. As long as she lived, she would not be free. Finally, Edna gives up. She goes out into the ocean and swims until she can go no further. She can finally experience freedom.