The Awakening Mademoiselle Reisz A Pillar of Moral Support

Although Mademoiselle Reisz seems to be relatively insignificant in The Awakening, she has a profound influence on Edna. Mademoiselle Reisz is one of the only characters in the novel who can understand Edna's true character. Reisz inspires Edna to have a "courageous soul that dares and defies" (63). Mademoiselle Reisz influences Edna by acting like a sanctuary for her. When Edna feels bored, it would be in "such a mood" that she would "hunt up Mademoiselle …

…the "space and solitude" that she needs to be an individual (26). "Space and solitude" are things that Edna cannot have on land since she is responsible for looking after her husband and children (26). Her family is a burden to her individuality. Edna also realizes that her individuality is more important to her than family. Edna faces her fate, and "lifts her white body" (115) away to the sea where she can find her "space and solitude" (26).