Edna Pontellier's domestic situation is nothing out of the ordinary for a wealthy New Orleans family. Her roles as a housewife and mother exemplify society's expectations of upper-class women during the Victorian era. Edna's burning desire to break away from her unhappy marriage and the stereotyped and oppressed female role guide her to become an independent and self-possessed woman. Driven by passion, lust and her new sense of identity, Edna becomes involved in a scandalous affair that forms the basis of her decision to break the conventions of her time. The use of symbols leads the reader to investigate the deeper meaning of Edna's journey. One of Chopin's most used symbols is food, which symbolizes Edna's realization of the expectations that society reserves for her and her transformation from an obedient mother and housewife into a self-sufficient woman. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In The Awakening, Chopin uses food as the basis for acts that Edna feels compelled to appreciate. Mr. Pontellier sends his wife a basket of goods including syrups, bottles of wine, bon bons, pate and fresh fruit while he is on a business trip in New Orleans and she is in Grand Isle. When Edna shares the treats she has received (and has grown accustomed to receiving while her husband is away) with her friends, they comment on how wonderful Mr. Pontellier is, exclaiming that he is "the best husband in the world" (7 ). Edna feels compelled to agree with her friends that the food gift basket places Mr. Pontellier above the average man because of his "thoughtfulness." In this case, food is used as a tool to illustrate the resentment Edna feels towards the gift she receives. The bon-bons and syrups, in Edna's eyes, are a reminder that she is expected to fulfill the stereotypical submissive female role by graciously accepting her husband's "unique" gift and meeting his every need in return. Food is also used to illustrate Mr. Pontellier's masculine and pushy personality. The traits that Edna's husband possesses at the beginning of the story force her to be submissive and dependent on him until she finally gains the strength to resist his domineering ways. An example of her "rebellious" behavior occurs when Edna authoritatively states that she wishes to stay out instead of sleeping with Mr. Pontellier. In response to her rejection, he pours himself a glass of wine to relax, as well as to ignore his wife's rejection (31). When he offers her a glass as if to apologize, she refuses it in defiance. The fact that Mr. Pontellier continues to drink wine and smoke cigars symbolizes his need to feel masculine, dominant and in control. Edna's refusal to accept her husband's apology represents her resentment towards his emotional neglect and her movement towards a more independent and less obedient lifestyle. Much like Mr. Pontellier's symbolically "masculine" wine, the food is used to symbolize his control issues and disgust at his wife's defiance. Edna's progress towards an "insubordinate" lifestyle is evidenced by her decision to go out in the afternoon rather than entertain her husband's calls. When the couple sits down to dinner, Mr. Pontellier is disgusted by the meal and complains endlessly about Edna's irresponsible and seditious decision (50-52). His discontent with both the meal and his wife's actions prompts Edna to express her satisfaction with the dinner as a silent revolt against her husband. Previously, ifHad Mr. Pontellier left his wife and gone to the club for a more acceptable meal, Edna would have been too upset to finish dinner. This time, however, Edna chooses to stay and finish the meal without him, as if trying to prove to herself that she is capable of being alone. Indeed, this meal indicates Edna's growing willingness to ignore her husband's needs in favor of her own desires. As the story progresses, Edna begins to feel more comfortable with the idea of ​​eating without company, thus suggesting her growing sense of liberation. In earlier chapters, she is appalled by the idea of ​​eating alone and angry at the disrespect her husband's actions imply. When Mr. Pontellier leaves, Edna tells the cooks that she will only need half the usual amount of food, because she is the only one home. Soon, however, she comes to enjoy dinner alone, underlining the importance of food in The Awakening. Mealtimes are a symbolic refuge from Edna's domestic responsibilities (72). Chopin glorifies Mrs. Pontellier's private meals by describing the "exquisite grilled fillet" (73) and the luxurious taste of the wine. Edna's newfound acceptance and pleasure in dining alone speaks to a clear development in her character. As Edna's story continues to unfold, she becomes more and more relaxed both with herself and with meals. One morning, when she receives a letter from Raoul, she decides to have breakfast half-dressed (104), something she would never have done if she still lived in her old house with her husband, children and servants. Mrs. Pontellier's new relaxed attitude gives her the confidence and security she needs to become the person she wants to be. Edna's dinner with the Highcamps and Arobin after the races seems to return her to her old state of submission. The dinner conversation is boring, but Edna feels compelled to act interested. Once she gets home she realizes she is hungry again because the portions she received from the Highcamps were insufficient, despite the meal being of the highest quality (75), and decides to eat Gruyere and crackers accompanied by a bottle of beer to satisfy her appetite (75 ). While this act is not directly defiant towards any particular individual, she explicitly challenges cultural norms by drinking an alcoholic beverage. At that time drinking beer was considered completely unacceptable behavior for a woman. Edna's awareness that drinking beer is usually associated with masculinity makes her feel empowered and helps her allow herself the same freedoms that her husband enjoys. There is another case where Edna drinks alcohol at Mademoiselle Reisz's house. She is offered some brandy and decides to drink the liquor from a glass as a man would (79). This example is reminiscent of Edna drinking beer at the beginning of the story and reinforces the symbolic effect of alcohol. The association of beer and brandy with masculinity and Edna's willingness to imbibe the drinks once again suggests her desire to become a free woman. Edna's self-discovery continues when she encounters a garden on the outskirts of New Orleans. Here he finds peace, tranquility and privacy from his daily worries. Mrs. Pontellier claims that "no one could make such good coffee or fry such golden brown chicken" (105) like the owner of the little garden shop. Edna dines here twice a week to be alone (105). Mrs. Pontellier's desire to dine alone reinforces her desire to break social norms and become self-sufficient. When Robert unexpectedly arrives at Edna's special place, she offers to share her meal with him, claiming that "there's always enough for two, even three" (106). His immediate willingness to share food.