The Awakening Quotes
"The voice, the notes, the whole refrain haunted her memory."
"A feeling of exultation overtook her, as if some power of significant import had been given her to control the working of her body and her soul."
"He could speak a little Spanish, and also a language which nobody understood, unless it was the mocking-bird that hung on the other side of the door."
"The night came on, with the moon to lighten it. The sea was quiet now, and swelled lazily in broad billows that melted into one another."
"She was not accustomed to an outward and spoken expression of affection, either in herself or in others."
"As she sat there that day with closed eyes, it seemed to her the waves spoke to her. They told of the great big world that existed beyond the horizon."
"The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings."
"Madame Ratignolle hoped that Robert would exercise extreme caution in dealing with the Mexicans, who, she considered, were a treacherous people."
"At what time do you leave?" she asked Robert. "At ten," he told her.
"The little cottage was close and stuffy after leaving the outer air."
"She herself could think of nothing to say about Mexico or the Mexicans."
"She changed her gown for a more comfortable and commodious wrapper."
"She rearranged her hair, combing and brushing it with unusual energy."
"All that noise and confusion at the table must have upset me," replied Edna.
"Edna was not so consciously gratified at her husband’s leaving home as she had been over the departure of her father."
"I’ve grown used to seeing you, to having you with me all the time, and your action seems unfriendly, even unkind."
"It was the first kiss of her life to which her nature had really responded."
"Without even waiting for an answer from her husband regarding his opinion or wishes in the matter, Edna hastened her preparations."
"She seems to me wonderfully sane," Edna replied.
"You think they got plenty deer in the wood, La Folle?" he had inquired.
"Oh, La Folle! La Folle! it hurt so bad! I can’ stan’ it, La Folle!"
"She seems—she seems like a saviour; like one who had come and taken me by the hand and was leading me somewhere."
"It was not the first time she had stolen away to the ruin at night-time, when the whole plantation slept."
"A vision of her little brood looking fresh and dainty and new for once in their lives excited her and made her restless and wakeful with anticipation."
"She had no time—no second of time to devote to the past. The needs of the present absorbed her every faculty."
"She could elbow her way if need be; she had learned to clutch a piece of goods and hold it and stick to it with persistence and determination till her turn came to be served, no matter when it came."
"She was not going through any acute mental process or reasoning with herself, nor was she striving to explain to her satisfaction the motive of her action."
"The soul of her youth clamored for its rights; for a share in the world’s glory and exultation."
"She gazed at him with eyes that were full of supplication and a certain terror of joy."
"It was as if the spirit of life and the awakening spring had given back the soul to her youth and bade her rejoice."