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The Awakening Full Analysis

the story centers around a theme of independence.
Edna, the main character, endures a life as a mother
and caretaker as her husband is away for weeks at a
time on business. Through this independence a second
theme develops. Edna is very lonely and seeks
companionship in Robert when her husband is away.
The last theme is the discovery of one's own
needs and wants. During Edna's "awakening," she discovers
her sexual needs as Robert manifest his interest in her.
She also explores painting, seeking the satisfaction of
self-creation and the emotions that her paintings portray

Setting: The story takes place in Grand Isle, A summer
family resort where Edna is vacationing with her husband
and children. It is the late 1800's. They return back to
their New Orleans home and shortly thereafter Edna returns
to Grand Isle where she ends her life.

Major Characters:

Edna Pontellier: Edna is a well respected
woman. She has 2 children and is "happily"
married to her husband, Leonce Pontellier.
During this summer vacation, however,
she begins to realize that she is not happy.
She has let go of her passions and ambitions
to take on the role that society has inscribed
upon her, As a woman, wife, and caretaker.
Through her friendship with Adele, She
to express and act upon her emotions and feelings
as Creole woman do because they are already
expected to be chaste.
Edna switches from being a responsible
woman to being selfish in her pursuit for the
things she yearns for. You can see this with
her mockery of Robert, when he turns her down.

Mademoiselle Reisz: an old woman that can be
described as anything but conventional. She is
not very fond on the rest of the visitors at
the resort but enjoys Edna's company as she shows
true interest in the arts and love.
Mademoiselle Reisz represents the woman
Edna would have become had she not let society
force her to conform to the lifestyle expected
of a woman in that time...