"The Awakening" Quotes

The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings.

The years that are gone seem like dreams – if one might go on sleeping and dreaming – but to wake up and find – oh! well! Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life.

The past was nothing to her; offered no lesson which she was willing to heed.

She was seeking herself and finding herself in just such sweet, half-darkness which met her moods.

The artist must possess the courageous soul that dares and defies.

It sometimes entered Mr. Pontellier’s mind to wonder if his wife were not growing a little unbalanced mentally.

There were days when she was very happy without knowing why. She was happy to be alive and breathing, when her whole being seemed to be one with the sunlight, the color, the odors, the luxuriant warmth of some perfect Southern day.

The acme of bliss, which would have been marriage with the tragedian, was not for her in this world.

She won’t go to the beach with Robert. She won’t go anywhere. She won’t even go to Mrs. Lebrun’s.

You are burnt beyond recognition, he added, looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage.