Women in the 19th century were not treated like equals. Nowhere was this no evident then in Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening. This is why the novel that I chose to write my essay on is Kate Chopin's The Awakening. The book is written based on the woman's role in 19th century southern society. It is based on the interaction of people and the symbols that lead Edna to her Awakening.
The main character is Edna Pontellier. Edna is the protagonist of the novel, "Edna embarks on a path of emotional, intellectual, and sexual awakening after spending a very pleasant summer with her young admirer, Robert Lebrun."(Moon) She is trying to become an independant person in a society where it is not accepted. .
Edna's husband is Leonce Pontellier. Leonce is a businessman who spends much of his time away from home. He ignores Edna for the most part and is obsessed with making money. .
Edna's fathers name is the Colonel. He is an ex-confederate soldier who is always drinking and gambling. He gambled away his house in Kentucky and comes to see Edna while she is on vacation. .
Madame Lebrun is Robert's mother who owns the cottages at Grand Isle. .
Alcee Arobin is the man who Edna meets in New Orleans. She has an affair with him. .
The novel starts out with Edna Pontellier and her husband Leonce along with their two children on vacation in Grand Isle Lousiana. Leonce is a lawyer in New Orleans where the family lives. Grand Isle is a vacation destination for much of the rich and upperclass in New Orleans. Edna and the children spend their whole summer there while Leonce is only there on weekends.
While on vacation Edna meets a man by the name of Robert LeBrun. He is a young bussinessman who is there because, his mother owns the resort. While here he and Edna spend most of their time together. Edna finds him interesting and eventually falls in love with him. Once Robert sees how serious Edna is becoming towards him he leaves for the rest of the summer.