During the time of Industrialist, and feminist movements, married women were expected to be angels in the household. Women's lives were routine. Women were expected to have children, care for the home, enhance the charm of the homes, and reflect the status of their husbands well being. Edna Pontelliar, the protagonist of Kate Chopin's "The Awakening," at one point stood for what women were expected to be. Yet, with Chopin's influence, and the influences of society, Edna Pontellier would become the topic of controversy. Mrs. Pontellier would eventually confront the social injustices of the society she was so familiar with. Perfectly entitled "The Awakening," Chopin captures the trials and tribulations of a woman searching for independence, and opposing suffrage. .
Written at the end of the 19th century, Kate Chopin's controversial novel, "The Awakening," encapsulates the struggle of change between traditional and modern times. The nineteenth century was a time that delivered tension between the old and changing norms of society. Industrialization, urbanization, and changes in social norms of the turn of the century all managed to contribute to the fact that life was changing. Yet, citizens of the 19th century remained curious as to what the turn of the century would hold. .
Along with all of the mixed feelings of the turn of the century, the state of Louisiana embraced its own set of problems that added to the confusion. Louisiana just happened to be a state comprised of three cultures. As American as Louisiana was, it was also Southern, and Creole (of French speaking, American born pure blooded descendents of French or Catholic Colonist). However, the Creole culture was very different from any other. Women in the Creole culture were conservative, but open in discussing their marriage and children. (Chopin 474) In addition to all of Louisiana's diversity, the state of Louisiana operated under a different legal system.
