FREE ESSAY ON THE AWAKENING

THE AWAKENING

This novel takes place in the early 1920's on the Grand Isles of Louisiana. Grande Isle
was a resort for wealthy people, to get away from the city. The remainder of the novel
takes place in New Orleans. The theme of this book is about women and her "awakening", a
sort of liberation. Her "awakening" take place during the summer at the Grand Isle. Edna
"awakens" to the intense love and longing that she has not known to exist. She also
"awakens" to the knowledge that her husband and children are in control of her life. Mrs.
Pontiellier then takes steps forward to release herself from the "cage" she was placed
in, in a direct disobedience to her husband Edna begins advancing herself in art and
culture, she also takes long walks and ignores numbers of callers for a few select group
of women. Our heroine is not able to control her "awakening" because she is in love with
Robert, who will not marry her because he refuses to disgrace her. Freedom never really
carried Edna because Edna was never truly free of herself. 
This novel begins in the grand Isles where the Pontiellier family is spending their
summer vacation. Edna becomes friends with Madame Ratignolle and Mademoiselle Reisz; on
her vacation Edna also befriends Robert Leburn, son of the owner of the resort at the
Grand Isles. Robert has fallen madly in love with Edna