The Awakening (English)

Kate Chopinƒ??s The Awakening opens with the Pontellier family on vacation on Grand Isle in the Gulf of Mexico. The family consists of a businessman, L??once Pontellier, his wife Edna, and their two sons.

During her vacation, Edna forms a close bond with Robert Lebrun, a young man who has won her affections. Lebrun, sensing that a relationship with a married woman is bound to fail, leaves Edna on the pretext of beginning a business venture. Edna, disappointed at the turn her life has taken, attempts to smooth into her old life peppered with maternal and marital duties specified by the society.

But, she longs for the freedom she experienced with Lebrun. Despite the constant reminder from her friend, Ad??le, who pushes her to conform to societal requirements, Edna starts taking charge of her own life by focussing more on herself rather than her duties as a wife and mother.

The Awakening then details how her husband, L??once, begins to notice changes in her and starts worrying about her mental health. It also portrays Ednaƒ??s life when she is left alone, unattended, for a period while L??once is away on business.

What does Edna do with her newfound freedom? Does she explore her dormant sexual desires? Who does she meet? How does she try to find meaning in her life? Will her love, Robert, ever return to her? Will Edna ever be free of the restrictions set upon her gender? The Awakening answers these questions and more.

The Awakening was published in 1899. It was considered to be a controversial piece of work at that time as it challenged the prevalent gender roles and for its portrayal of female sexual desires. Its popularity peaked with the increase in feminist movements and was later considered a critically acclaimed work.

In 1991, the book was adapted into a film titled Grand Isle, which was directed by Mary Lambert and had Kelly McGillis starring as Edna.