The Sea Flashcards
Why does Edna lie about going for a swim before dinner?
So she can make her death seem like an accident, so her children aren’t harmed by knowing she committed suicide
“Edna had found her old bathing suit still hanging, faded, upon its accustomed peg” what’s the significance of this quote?
The sea is a representation of Edna’s freedom throughout the novel, here we see this freedom is faded, and it could be argued that this is the reason for her suicide
The waves that ………. her” fill in the gap
Invited
“Edna could not have told why, wishing to go to the beach with Robert, she should in the first place have followed in obedience to one of the two contradictory impulses which impelled her” what is it that attracts Edna to go to the beach? And what does this symbolise?
She feels free and happy with Robert, not trapped like she does with her husband, the sea represents her freedom
“The voice of the sea is…” finish this quote
“…seductive”
” the voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace” why does this attract Edna?
Because she lacks a loving and caring relationship with her husband and the sea is her escape from this
“The sea was quiet now, and swelled lazily in broad billows that melted into one another and did not break except upon the beach in little foamy crests that coiled back like slow, white serpents.”
How does Chopin depict the sea here?
The sea sounds inviting and sensual towards Edna
Can Edna swim?
Yes
Who teaches Edna how to swim?
Robert
“She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had ever swum before” what’s the significance of this quote?
It could be argued that Edna is more wise to the patriarchy around her, she wants to do something about her oppression which was uncommon for women of her time
