The awakening introduces to the reader a woman who experiences self-growth within four stages. At the initial stage, Edna, the heroine of the novel, lives a desolated life with a split personality. Inwardly, she has her own fantasies and keeps autonomous. Outwardly, she acts in accordance with the social code. As the dissatisfaction of her marriage deteriorates, she begins the period of searching for her identity as a woman and restarts her life on Grand Isle. Her awakening is further advanced by the influence of Adele, Mademoiselle Reisz and Robert. Robert helps to excite her sexual and emotional awakening. Mademoiselle Reisz inspires her artistic awareness and also exerts profound influence in her pursuit of freedom. Adèle induces Edna to get rid of the repression of convention. The openness of the Creole community impels her to share more of her inner world. The act of swimming initiates her sexual awakening and the role it plays in probing self-awareness is undoubtedly the most important, which also sets the ground for her later defiance to the convention. As her self-awareness grows, she declares her independence in a dinner party and refuses to attend her sister's wedding. She even has an affair with another man Arobin.
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