The Role of a Siren in Kate Chopin's "The Awakening"

Paper Summary:

In Greek mythology, sirens were creatures with the head of a female and the body of a bird. By using an archetypal lens to look at the mythical qualities of a classic siren in Adele Ratignolle, this paper proves that it is Adele who ultimately sends Edna Pontellier to her death. It explains the role of sirens in Greek mythology, references a contemporary poem by Margaret Atwood regarding sirens, shows all the siren-like qualities of Adele, and references particular situations in which Edna is lured by Adele the siren. The paper quotes from the text and Margaret Atwood's poem.

From the Paper:

"In the scene in which Edna and Adele sit at the beach together, the interest they both share in each other is showcased. Adele lures her friend into opening up her emotional side and sharing most of her intimate feelings and thoughts. Edna is attracted to her friend's beautiful appearance, their ability to communicate and understand each other is described not as sympathy, but rather as love, and their interaction in this passage is highly eroticized. It seems that Edna is metaphorically falling for Adele much like a sailor falls for the Siren."

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