"Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer; than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life" ("Kate" 1). These words and way of thinking were uncommon and far ahead of this time period. Kate Chopin not only said this quote but meditated and reflected on these thoughts by writing in agreement with her words. Many say she foreshadowed times and movements occurring in today's society. For example, one of the novels where she heavily communicated these thoughts was The Awakening. In this novel, Kate Chopin used her experiences and lessons she learned throughout her life to use traits such as Creole setting and language, feminism, and symbolism in The Awakening.
Many critics say that "The Awakening portrays the Creole culture of Louisiana in vivid detail," because Chopin was remembering the years she spent as a child in New Orleans (Moon 1). For instance, in Chapter One, Mrs. Pontellier, the main character and heroine of the novel, observed that "[a] good many persons of the pension had gone over to the Cheniere Caminada (Chopin 6). The Cheniere Caminada is "[a]n island covered with live oaks, named after the bay situated in the southern end of Jefferson parish, where Grand Isle is also located" (Chopin 6). The fact that this island is near Grand Isle indicates that Chopin is setting her plot in South Louisiana. Next, the Creole language is used as a constant reminder of the Southern atmosphere. For example, Mrs. Edna Pontellier grows quite fond of this pianist that played for her on her vacation in Grand Isle. One day, Edna desires to see this musician, so she walks to this lady's suspected house to hear her play the piano for her and talk about Robert. When she arrives, "Edna discovered that the house was occupied by a respectable family of mulattoes who had chambres garnies" (Chopin 98). The phrasing chambres garnies is Creole language that means "furnished rooms.
