Birds as a symbol of servitude and freedom in The AwakeningBirds locked in cages indicate loneliness and servitude; those who wander in the open air above the seas represent freedom and happiness. The captivity or freedom of these animals is the symbolism Chopin uses to illustrate the captivity Edna experiences in society and the freedom she desires. Through these vivid bird images in his novel Awakening, Chopin elucidates the struggle and freedom that Edna encounters. From the beginning of the novel, the author provides images of birds to represent captivity and loneliness. The "green and yellow parrot, which hangs in a cage in front of the door [of Madame Lebrun's house], keeps repeating: 'Go away', [come in]" (43). The parrot's pleas parallel those of Edna, a desire for communication. She longs for a companion in whom she can devote her body and soul, without remembering the restrictions and worries of Victorian society; a relationship she did not have with her husband, but with Robert. Although E...