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Although Mademoiselle Reisz seems to be relatively insignificant in The
Awakening, she has a profound influence on Edna. Mademoiselle Reisz is one of
the only characters in the novel who can understand Edna's true character. Reisz
inspires Edna to have a courageous soul that dares and defies (63). Mademoiselle
Reisz influences Edna by acting like a sanctuary for her. When Edna feels bored,
it would be in such a mood that she would hunt up Mademoiselle Reisz (58). When
Edna returns to the city, she is compelled to visit Mademoiselle Reisz. When she
visits Mademoiselle Reisz, her boredom is lifted away by Reisz's music and
Robert's letters to Reisz. Edna loses herself when Mademoiselle Reisz plays
music (64). Mademoiselle Reisz makes Edna feel happy by allowing her to read
letters from Robert. Edna's eyes fill with delight when Mademoiselle Reisz shows
Edna the letters (80). Seeing how happy Mademoiselle Reisz is as a non-married
artist inspires Edna to be more independent and to pursue her desire to paint.
This relates back to the meaning of the novel -- a woman's struggle for
individuality while still being married. By spending time with Mademoiselle
Reisz, Edna realizes that in order to be a separate self she cannot have the
burdens of marriage and children (18). Mademoiselle Reisz also motivates Edna's
endeavors.
Mademoiselle Reisz encourages Edna to be her own individual. One way
in which she does this is by defining the requirements for a genuine artist, to
be an artist includes much; one must possess the courageous soul, she says (63).
Since Edna wishes to become a genuine artist, these words melt into her soul
(63). When Reisz says this to Edna, she is not just informing her that an artist
is one who paints, but she is also implying that an artist is one who is willing
to surpass the borders of society. Although Edna tries to surpass the borders of
society, in the end she was not an artist since she took her life because she
could not meet the requirements for a genuine artist. She was unable to surpass
the borders of society to be her own person. Mademoiselle Reisz advises Edna on
love. Reisz tells Edna that Robert loves her: it's because he loves you poor
fool (63). She also explains the reasons for Robert's absence. According to
Mademoiselle Reisz, Robert is gone since Edna is not free to listen to him or
belong to him (63).
Mademoiselle Reisz pacifies Edna by talking about Robert and
love. Mademoiselle Reisz contributes to the meaning of the novel by being able
to recognize Edna's awakening. By influencing Edna to be an artist, Mademoiselle
Reisz helps Edna find the strength to be a courageous individual that can dare
and defy (116). Unlike Mademoiselle Reisz, Edna cannot find the space and
solitude that she needs to be an individual (26). Space and solitude are things
that Edna cannot have on land since she is responsible for looking after her
husband and children (26). Her family is a burden to her individuality. Edna
also realizes that her individuality is more important to her than family. Edna
faces her fate, and lifts her white body (115) away to the sea where she can
find her space and solitude (26).
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