In “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin there are three characters who represent the different expectations of their society. Reisz representing independence and freedom, Edna representing entrapment and Adèle representing society's ideal woman. Adèle is a mother who dedicates herself to her husband and children. She lives to serve her children and her husband, and is the clear example of a mother. «Her name is Adèle Ratignolle. There are no words to describe her, except the old ones that have so often served to imagine the bygone heroine of romance and the beautiful lady of our dreams. Reisz is divorced with no children. She dedicates her life to music and works as a living example of a completely self-sufficient woman. While Adèle's life path is the one that Edna should follow, Reisz's life path exemplifies the path that Edna is seeking to find her true happiness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayCompared to Adèle, who is ruled by her children and husband, Reisz is ruled totally by self-love, rather than by society's social expectations. Edna is unhappy with her life and wants Reisz's freedom. “I would give up what is not essential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children, but I would not give myself. I can't make it any clearer; it's just something I'm starting to understand, that's revealing itself to me. She wants to free herself from the burden imposed on her by her husband and children. Adèle's life is controlled by her husband and children. There are many reasons why Edna should follow Reisz and his way of life. Adèle knows the socially expected life that Reisz has given up for isolation and independence, but that is not a life that Edna would be happy with. Reisz is the exact model of what Edna wants to be in her life. Reisz is an independent woman capable of providing for herself. On the other hand, Adèle is supposedly Edna's best friend, but Madamoiselle Reisz is the only one who truly understands Edna's struggle. Over the course of the story Reisz becomes the most important role in Edna's revivals. As Edna searches for some kind of freedom in her life, she turns to Reisz for help. Reisz tells Edna that she must remain courageous, she must have a courageous and defiant spirit. “I don't know you well enough to say that. I do not know your talent or your absolute gifts, which were not acquired through your own efforts. And furthermore, to be successful, the artist must possess a courageous soul.” Edna sees what her life would be like if she were independent of her husband and children. He could experience self-sufficiency, engage in his passions, and achieve his dreams. Edna sees Reisz and his happiness. Reisz does what makes her happy, rejecting society's expectations. Reisz's happiness is more important to her than meeting society's expectations. Edna's suicide at the end was foreshadowed throughout the book. His constant hints of unhappiness were the biggest sign. She felt that death was the only way to free herself from her husband and children. Death was the only way to escape his fate. She began to realize that she would never be able to escape the life she had created for herself. She would never be satisfied with her place in life and therefore would always be unhappy. She wanted to be free, like Reisz was. While she was alive, she would always have to take care of her husband and children and would never escape her trapped role. As long as she lived she would not be free. Eventually, Edna gives up. He goes out into the ocean and swims until he can go no further. He will finally be able to experience the freedom he had hoped for his entire life. Edna felt that by getting married and having children,.