The Awakening

The intentions of calling the protagonist different names?

Throughout the novel the protagonist was called different names - from Edna to Mrs. Pontellier. What were the intention(s) and effect(s) of this?

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Last updated by lucie p #237061
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Edna grows and changes throughout the novel, she is many things to many different people. Social customs dictated propriety; given names couldn't be used by just anyone. The use of a given name would have been considered too personal for anyone but those who shared intimacy (marriage, close friendships, ect.). Thus, we see that how she is addressed changes as her relationships change.

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The Awakening

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