The significant themes of Chopin's The Awakening are introduced immediately in the opening scene of the bird in the cage. Edna feels trapped in the small realm of her home, as the bird is trapped in its cage. A major theme of the novel, liberation verses conformity is introduced because although Edna struggles if she is liberated, she is really like the bird because she doesn't have a choice. Society makes the choice for her. The indifferent manner in which Mr. Pontellier reacts to the bird introduces how men are depicted and their role in the novel.
As the bird is trapped in the cage, Ed…
