An Analysis of Oppression in Chopin's "The Awakening"

Growing up in the company of strong, loving women, Kate Chopin immediately learned independence and the power of language. Before reaching the age of nine, Chopin entered the St. Louis Academy of the Sacred Heart. Although she was already well read in English and French authors, the Academy reinforced her knowledge of those such as Dante, Goethe, and numerous other English novelists and poets. In her writing career, Chopin wrote three novels, more than one hundred and fifty stories and sketches, and a substantial body of poetry, reviews, and criticism. While Chopin produced numerous works, in relatively short writing career, her major work came in 1899, with The Awakening.

The Awakening tells the story of Edna Pontellier and the change she experiences, while spending the summer on Grand Isle, and then in her home in New Orleans. At first, Edna appears to be in a happy marriage, but as the novel progresses, nothing is farther from the truth. Leonce, Edna's husband, must return home for business, and as a result, Edna spends the majority of her summer with her two friends, Mademoiselle Reisz and Madame Ratignolle, and Robert Lebrun. As the summer progress, Edna spends more time with Robert, and begins to develop feelings for him. Just as Edna really begins to fall in love, Robert leaves for Mexico, and Edna returns to her home in New Orleans.