What are some allusions and their significance in the second half of The Awakening?

There is evidence of at least two possible allusions in
the second part of Kate Chopin's novel, The
Awakening.

In Chapter 28 –
“…comprehend the significance of life, that monster made up of beauty and
brutality” – This might be an allusion to Frankenstein,
written by Mary Shelley and printed anonymously in 1818.  This may have been an image
familiar to Chopin when she was writing this story in 1898 (especially in that the
author of the famous novel was also a woman).  Victor Frankenstein experienced the
“significance of life” when he finally brought life to the creature.  Creation was the
“beauty,” but the reality of what he had done (acting like God to create life), as well
as the monster’s violent murders, would refer to the “brutality” which accompanied
Victor’s “accomplishment.”

In Chapter 39 – “Venus
rising from the foam could have presented no more entrancing a spectacle than Mrs.
Pontellier, blazing with beauty and diamonds at the head of the board…” –
This is, of course, an allusion to Botticelli’s famous painting entitled, “The Birth of
Venus,” the Roman goddess of beauty and love.

While the
second allusion seems very obvious, and the first perhaps more unfathomable, remember
that "art" speaks to everyone differently.  There is no way to be sure that Chopin was
or was not using this as a literary allusion.  An allusion takes on significance based
upon the knowledge and experience of the person interacting with that piece of
art.

Certainly, this is seen with Shakespeare's great
works, where scholars debate the meaning of a line, a character's purpose, or an entire
play, without ever knowing who, if anyone, has the accurate
interpretation.