The Awakening
(Kate Chopin)

The story begins on a resort on Grand Isle and opens on the life of Edna Pontellier who is vacationing there with her husband- Leonce- and two children. Though considered a kind husband by both Edna and the Creole community, Leonce expects his wife and family to abide by his every rule- causing strain on his relationship with Edna. As he continues to go to work most all of the week and the children are quite independent, Edna spends much of her time with Adele- the epitome of Creole womanhood- and Robert- the son of the resort’s owner.

Edna’s time with both results in a process of awakening and self-realization that continues to grow throughout the book. Much of this is spurred on by Edna’s perception of Robert, as he reminds her of the infatuations she had when she was young; the same ones she gave up when she married Leonce. Though Robert is known throughout the community as someone who dotes upon one woman each summer, his admiration for Edna seems genuine. Her attachment to him grows, and she finds herself taken aback as he leaves for Mexico towards the end of the summer without notice.

Back in New Orleans, Edna continues her individualization. She stops her weekly activity of accepting visitors and takes up painting. She also finds herself taking her husband’s judgments of her less seriously. This causes Leonce to consult Doctor Mandelet, who tells him to let her be. This advice is taken, and as he goes on a business trip to New York, Leonce’s mother takes the children to her country home. The freedom allows Edna to pursue a relationship with known lothario Alcee Arobin, who is able to please her physically but not emotionally.

Edna eventually moves out and begins spending time with Mademoiselle Reisz- a talented piano player whose independence and solitary lifestyle makes her a sort of role model for Edna. She discovers that Robert has been sending Reisz letters that constantly ask about Edna, and the young woman is convinced that Robert feels the same way about her as she has grown to feel about him.

Robert eventually returns without telling Edna, and it is only through chance encounters that they meet. Their first meeting is awkward, and Robert takes no effort to contact Edna again. On their second, Edna confronts him on his avoidance and they end up confessing each other’s love. Robert had been avoiding her as he felt that their love would be unfulfilled due to the fact that she is married. Edna tells him not to worry about such things and to think only of the future when Adele calls for Edna to be there for her pregnancy.

After the birth, Adele tells Edna only to think of the children- a comment that strikes Edna deeply. Returning home, she finds that Robert has left, leaving only a note that says he is leaving because he loves her. Depressed and heartbroken, Edna spends the entire night awake on the couch where they kissed.

The following morning, Edna returns to Grand Isle, where she swims in the ocean naked while memories of her childhood flow through her head and she lets herself be enveloped by the ocean.