The Awakening (Masterplots II: Women’s Literature Series)
At a glance:
- Author: Katherine O’Flaherty
- First Published: 1899
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Domestic realism
- Time of Work: The late nineteenth century
- Setting: New Orleans and its vicinity
- Principal Characters: Edna Pontellier, Leonce Pontellier, Adele Ratignolle, Robert Lebrun, Alcee Arobin
- Genres: Long fiction, Domestic realism
- Subjects: Self-discovery, Love or romance, Sex or sexuality, Suicide, South or Southerners, Gender roles, Nineteenth century, Marriage, Obsession, Creoles, Women’s issues, Adultery, New Orleans, Ethics, Gossip
- Locales: New Orleans, LA
Form and Content
The Awakening deals with the sexual awakening of a woman who has led the conventional life of an upper-middle-class wife and mother until the age of twenty-eight, then finds herself feeling so frustrated and suffocated that she is willing to defy the conventions of Louisiana Creole society to gain spiritual independence. She gradually abandons housekeeping, social visits, entertaining at home, and all the duties of a woman of her station. Defiantly, she begins to lead a bohemian lifestyle and to exercise freedom of choice in matters of sex.
The...
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- The Awakening (Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition)
See Also:
Kate Chopin (Cyclopedia of World Authors)Kate Chopin (Dictionary of World Biography)Kate Chopin (Short Fiction)Kate Chopin (Long Fiction)Kate Chopin (Identities and Issues)
See Also:
- - For teachers, the The Awakening Lesson Plan.
- - Read the The Awakening text online.
- - The Awakening summary and study guide in the eNotes.
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