Edna's Cultural Experience in "The Awakening"

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Edna’s culture differs from the Creole culture entirely. Edna is not used to the open, affectionate, family-style culture. Edna is used to a very conservative, American culture. She is out of her comfort when surrounded by the Creole culture. Edna was in shock when she learned about how comfortable and open the Creoles are when talking about intimate issues. Their freedom of expression was quite a surprise to her. She was unsure what to think or say around them. She was especially uncomfortable around Adele when she brought up the squeamish topic of childbirth. She became accustomed to their sense of expression and, at times, found herself conforming to this. There were times where Edna learned that she did not have to bottle things up inside, and that she was a free individual who could share her feelings with people who cared for her, such as Adele. Edna seemed so accustomed to the culture that she seemed to engulf herself in it. She almost became like the rest of the Creoles. She had these moments, “awakenings,” such as emotional releases and her new freedom of expression that transformed her traditions and customs that she was so used to. She began to understand that some things that were considered inappropriate in her culture were normal in the Creole culture. She felt much more free and relaxed when surrounded by these people. She was able to release herself in a way she had never experienced before. Edna began to release her worries and act as a free individual, saying what she wanted to say and feeling how she wanted to feel. Being expressed to this new culture, Edna metamorphosed into a new being. The person she had trapped inside her all her life was

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