Individualism In The Yellow Wallpaper And Chopins The...

Tallulah Bankhead once said â€Å"Nobody can be exactly like me. Sometimes I even have trouble doing it.† Individualism being the habit or principle of being independent and self- reliant plays a key role in two fascinating pieces of literature with the two leading characters. Both Gilman the author of â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper and Chopin the author of The Awakening utilize various literary devices to develop their overall theme of showcasing individualism and the true meaning behind it. Initially, both authors use characterization to convey their overall theme. For instance, in The Awakening, the main character Edna Pontellier is described to be acknowledging her sexual desires, while also learning to express her desires in a†¦show more content†¦Jane finds the wallpaper to have a much more foul representation of the color yellow than a bright one. Chopin uses water to symbolize the freedom that Mrs. Pontellier thrives for. However, Gilman uses the yellow wallpaper to symbolize being trapped in your own mind and surroundings through traditional means of family and medicine. The usage of irony can also be found in both The Awakening and in The Yellow Wallpaper. Gilman uses dramatic irony to describe Jane and her thinking about the way the room is decorated. â€Å"It was nursery first and then playroom and gymnasium, I should judge; for the windows are barred for little children, and there are rings and things in the walls† (Gilman 2). Jane soon becomes fascinated with the wallpaper and closely starts to admire it while she can. Jane believes that the room was built as a nursery or play area for young children. On the other hand, Chopin uses the death of Edna to show irony. The Awakening focuses on Edna going on a journey to discover her true self, or rather the journey of an â€Å"awakening†. â€Å"She went on and on. She remembered the night she swam far out, and recalled the terror that seized her at the fear of being unable to regain the shore† (Chopin 110). Edna is seen to be finding love in Robert, but chooses to stay in her married life and take care of her kids as wells despite not being happy. Thus, she chooses to swim away or â€Å"drown† while having thoughts or fears of not making it back to shore haunt