Breaking through the role appointed to her by society, she discovers her own identity independent of her husband and children. Many of Kate Chopin’s other stories feature passionate, unconventional female protagonists, but none presents a heroine as openly rebellious as Edna. The details and specifics of Edna’s character are key to understanding the novel and its impact on generations of readers.

LINK TO THE FILM "Grand Isle"

based on K. Chopin's The Awakening

When Kate Chopin’s The Awakening was written and published

The novel was begun in 1897 and completed on January 21, 1898.

Kate Chopin’s original title was A Solitary Soul. It was published as

The Awakening by Herbert S. Stone & Company in Chicago on April 22, 1899.

The Awakening time and place

The Awakening is set in the late nineteenth century on Grand Isle, off the coast of Louisiana; on the island Chênière Caminada across the bay from Grand Isle (the island was destroyed in an 1893 hurricane); and in the city of New Orleans. It begins on Grand Isle, shifts to New Orleans, and concludes on Grand Isle.

The Awakening characters

Edna Pontellier

Léonce Pontellier: husband of Edna

Etienne and Raoul Pontellier: children of Edna and Léonce

Madame Aline Lebrun: owner of a pension on Grand Isle

Robert Lebrun: son of Madame Lebrun

Victor Lebrun: brother of Robert Lebrun

Mariequita: woman of Spanish descent who lives on Grand Isle

Adele Ratignolle: guest at the pension on Grand Isle

Alphonse Ratignolle: pharmacist, husband of Adèle

Mademoiselle Reisz: pianist, guest at the pension on Grand Isle

THE AWAKENING

LINK TO A STUDY. COM PAGE

http://study.com/academy/lesson/kate-chopins-the-awakening-summary-and-analysis.html