Question

And she cried out a sharp, piercing cry like a bird come back to an empty nest, peering into its bed, and all the babies gone who said this to whom ?

Answer 1

The quote you provided is a poetic description of a woman’s grief and longing, and it is attributed to the character of Antigone in the ancient Greek tragedy “Antigone” by Sophocles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The quote you provided is a powerful and evocative description of the emotions of Antigone, the protagonist of the play, as she mourns the death of her brother Polyneices and laments the loss of her family.

The image of a bird returning to an empty nest is a metaphor for Antigone’s sense of loss and desolation, as well as her longing for the return of her loved ones. The phrase “all the babies gone” is a reference to the death of Polyneices and the loss of her family’s future.

The quote is significant because it highlights the deep emotional pain and sacrifice that Antigone must endure in order to stand by her beliefs and defend her family’s honor. The use of poetic language and imagery emphasizes the intensity of Antigone’s emotions and underscores the tragic nature of the events that have unfolded.

Answer 2

This line, "And she cried out a sharp, piercing cry like a bird come back to an empty nest, peering into its bed, and all the babies gone," is spoken by Edna Pontellier, the protagonist, in Kate Chopin's novel "The Awakening."

Explanation:

In Kate Chopin's "The Awakening," Edna Pontellier is depicted as a woman who experiences a transformative journey of self-discovery. The quote signifies Edna's profound sense of loss, evoking the imagery of a bird returning to an empty nest to find its babies missing. This poignant description reflects Edna's deep emotional turmoil, as she grapples with a sense of emptiness and abandonment in her life. The simile used, comparing Edna's cry to that of a bird mourning the absence of its offspring, emphasizes the depth of her emotional pain and her overwhelming feeling of being deserted and alone. This moment captures Edna's internal struggle and her quest for fulfillment and independence within the confines of societal expectations, which she feels have deprived her of true freedom and self-expression.

Chopin employs vivid and evocative imagery to convey Edna's inner turmoil and dissatisfaction with her life, particularly the societal norms that confine her. The metaphor of the empty bird's nest intensifies the sense of loss and abandonment, mirroring Edna's feelings of being estranged and disconnected from the life she desires. This emotionally charged passage illustrates Edna's awakening to her own desires and the painful realization of the societal constraints that suffocate her individuality, laying the foundation for her journey of self-discovery and liberation from societal norms.