Susan Coffey answers “What do you think the two lovers and the...”

Melanie asked this question about The Awakening:

What do you think the two lovers and the lady in black represent in the story?

Susan Coffey to paraphrase sparknotes, the "lady in black" represents widowhood, Edna is longing for independence and freedom, in Victorian times becoming a widow …moreto paraphrase sparknotes, the "lady in black" represents widowhood, Edna is longing for independence and freedom, in Victorian times becoming a widow was the only socially acceptable way of gaining independence via freedom from marriage. "The lovers" represent Edna and Robert and the life they may have had if circumstances were different, the lady in black is juxtaposed with "the lovers" to implicate an inevitable failure of the relationship.(less)

flag

Josephine Briggs Robert is a womanizer. I don't believe he would ever be tied to a single woman, especially not Edna. She is married, would ruin his and his family's l ...more
May 03, 2020 04:24PM

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more