The Awakening Chapter 27 Summary

  • When Arobin comes over that evening, Edna is still feeling happy.
  • Arobin sits beside her and as they talk, he touches her hair.
  • His fingers begin straying to her cheeks and chin.
  • Edna wonders what kind of woman she is, concluding that she must be a bad woman according to society. In her heart, however, she can’t accept that idea.
  • Edna recalls something that Mademoiselle Reisz said to her about a bird willing to soar above tradition and prejudice.
  • Arobin comments that he thinks Mademoiselle Reisz is insane.
  • Edna says she believes Mademoiselle Reisz to be wonderfully sane.
  • Arobin says he wants to talk about Edna, not Mademoiselle Reisz.
  • He says Edna’s thoughts seem far away from him tonight.
  • She looks at him and smiles.
  • They look into each other’s eyes and he kisses her passionately.
  • She leans forward, clasping his head between her hands and kisses him back.
  • The narrator comments that this was the "first kiss of her life to which her nature had really responded. It was a flaming torch that kindled desire."