The Awakening: Written by Kate Chopin Copyright Published in 1899

The Awakening: written by Kate Chopin copyright published in 1899

Author facts: Kate Chopin was born February 8,1850 and died August 22,1904. Her short stories and novels raised up controversy due to the immortal subjects were frowned upon. She married Oscar Chopin and had six kids with him and settled in New Orleans. When her husband died in 1882 he left her with $42,000 dollars In debt that she had to move in with her mother and live off her ; The following year Kate’s mother died. The loss of her mother and husband was a factor of her struggle with depression. Kates friend told her to help with her depression to start writing using her everyday life.

Synopsis:The book opens in the summer of 1890 in Louisiana Edna Pontellier the protagonist and her husband Leónce and two sons are at the summer holiday resort Grand isle owned by Madame Lebrun. Madame Lebrun eldest son Robert Lebrun is know to pick a married woman every summer to which he attends to. Edna’s and Robert's relationship is innocent at first but with time the grow closer and feelings for deeper. Edna feels more free during this relationship and when Edna goes back to New Orleans she starts acting differently and Leon starts to notice and worries. Robert goes to New Orleans and confesses his feelings for Edna but says they can’t possibly be since everyone since she’s a married woman. Robert leaves Edna and she acts in this desperate hour by going back to the Grand Isle and swims and drowns leaving the audience wonder if she killed herself or if it was an accident.

Characters:

Edna Pontellier - The twenty-eight-year-old wife of a New Orleans businessman, Edna suddenly finds herself dissatisfied with her marriage.Through a series of experiences becomes independent and lives apart from her husband and children and is responsible only to her own urges and passions.

Robert Lebrun - Edna falls in love with Robert but Robert has a reputation of caring for a different woman each summer at Grand isle. Robert and and Edna get closer and both start developing feelings for one another but he stops it since he is torn with want he wants and society’s views.

Léonce Pontellier - Born Creole and understands how the society works with the man being away most of the time. He does this with Edna and his two sons even though he loves them dearly. He wants Edna to participate in the creole society even though he knows she she doesn’t fit in. His relationship with Edna has no love and care and most importantly passion.

Mademoiselle Reisz - She is a muse for Edna for freedom and independence. She helps Edna realize her personal independence that Mademoiselle Reisz has. The only character that knows about the affair of Edna and Robert.

Adèle Ratignolle - Represents the perfect wife in the creole society Due to how she worships her husband and children. Even though she differs from Edna they are very close friends and Edna feel like she can rely on her.

Alcée Arobin - Charming man that seduces the other women of New Orleans but does this joyful. Satisfies Edna physically but doesn’t replace Robert. Edna controls the relationship between them and is joyful because she has never had power like this.

Doctor Mandelet -Sees Edna upset and suppers she has had an affair but doesn’t tell Léonce. He knows there is little Léonce can do because Edna is in love with another man. Offers his help to Edna and worries due to her defiant state she is going at.

Madame Lebrun - Owner and manages the Grand isle resort and mother of Robert and Victor. She encourages Robert to go after women so they can be happy at the resort as an incentive to come next year.

Vocabulary

lament: A cry of sorrow or grief

Enda gives many silent screams of sorrow that she is unhappy with her life but her husband avoids it

Implore: call on supplication

If Edna’s doctor told Léonce what he thought happened. Léonce could have tried to save their marriage and notice his faults.