Literature Research Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Literature Research Paper - Essay Example As the stories begin, both the protagonists, Calixta of â€Å"The Storm† and Edna of â€Å"The Awakening† are trapped in the confines of domesticity, however awareness of its confines slowly begins to dawn in both of them. In â€Å"The Storm† Calixta is busy with her domestic chores, â€Å"sewing furiously on a sewing machine†, until the storm starts brewing. â€Å"Suddenly realizing the situation† she goes about shutting doors (www.ablongman.com). The storm symbolizes the spur that jogs her into a new awareness. In a similar manner, Mademoiselle Reisz serves as the spur that jogs Edna into awareness, especially as contrasted with Madame Ratignole who is repressed and conservative and is described as the â€Å"bygone heroine of romance† (Chopin 888). As opposed to this, Madame Ratignole is â€Å"the embodiment of womanly grace and charm† but her race is also known for â€Å"their entire absence of prudery† (Chopin 889). In inter acting with Madame Ratignole, Edna becomes conscious of a vague dissatisfaction with her life and the narrowness of her upbringing, desiring to be as sensual as Madame Ratignole instead. This initial awareness leads both the protagonists into a sexual encounter. As Calixta gathers up the sheet she has been sewing, she appears to be unconsciously dispensing with the outward signs of her domesticity and submitting herself to the wildness of the storm raging outside. When Alcee gathers her into his arms, she looks up at him and the â€Å"fear in her liquid blue eyes had given place to a drowsy gleam that unconsciously betrayed a sensuous desire.†( www.ablongman.com). Edna’s awareness also leads her into a sexual encounter, and this is described as a light which begins to â€Å"dawn dimly within her – the light which, showing the way, forbids it.† (Chopin 893). This reveals the inner conflict which the sexual encounter generates in Edna, the path to independence lies revealed to her, yet it is not one encouraged by