by B.W. Harold

Created on: July 26, 2011   Last Updated: September 26, 2011

The Awakening

by: Kate Chopin

Edna Pontellier meets young Robert Leburn at Grand Isle, Louisiana. The young married woman has two small boys and a wealthy, but preoccupied husband. While vacationing at the Gulf shore, Edna becomes very close to the Creole women she meets. Mrs. Leburn, Mrs. Ratignolle, and Mademoiselle Reisz.  Through scenes regarding her children, the reader is privy to the fact that Mrs. Pontellier is not a maternal woman. A quality that baffles her traditional husband. There relationship is one a kin to parent and child. The marriage is one of status, not love.

Robert is warned to stay away from Mrs. Pontellier by Mrs. Ratignolle. She explains that Edna is “not one of us.” Robert is offended, but tries his best to honor Mrs. Ratignolle's wishes. After a night by the seashore, Edna takes her first successful swim. The experience opens a new world to her.

After this life changing event, Robert and Edna begin spending more and more time together. He tells her of his plans to go to Mexico and Edna tells him of her Kentucky background. Slowly Edna begins to change. Her husband's gruffness doesn't sway her anymore.

At the end of the summer, Robert announces his plans for going to Mexico. Devastated Edna tries to resume her life in New Orleans with her family. But she finds that pleasing her husband doesn't concern her anymore. She cares little if her husband stays home or if her children are around. She thinks of Robert and her days on Grand Isle.

Despondent she begins ignoring the routine she had before their vacation. She makes calls to only people she likes. She leaves the house to the servants. She takes up painting and throws herself into the hobby. As she becomes more experienced with her art, she begins to sell some pieces. The fact that Robert has never written her once grates on her. What makes the insult worse is he writes to the others.

Mademoiselle Reisz allows Edna to see Robert's letters addressed to her. They ask about Edna and all she is doing. They express an attachment Edna can not see.

Her baffled husband can not understand his wife's new outlook. He sends for her father thinking the visit might help her. But it only proves how obstinate Edna has become. A confused Mr. Pontellier goes to New York with hopes that the absence of both he and the children will bring Edna to her senses.

It doesn't, instead Edna begins an affair with the notorious Alcee Arobin. It is clear to the reader that Alcee is a poor substitute

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