The symbolism of clothing – or the lack thereof – plays a major role in Edna’s liberation. As she sheds her societal roles, she also sheds her restrictive garments. To track this progression, download the awakening pdf. You can note every instance where clothing is mentioned and what it signifies. The digital text makes this kind of thematic tracking effortless. It is a subtle but powerful device that Chopin uses to show rather than tell her protagonist’s evolution.