Kate Chopin, an author of the nineteenth century, is most famous for her novel The Awakening, which is often categorized simply as a feminist work. Yet, from the time of its first publication in 1899 to the present day, the story continues to be scrutinized for what the specific message is that Chopin tries to convey. While the novel explores themes such as identity, fulfillment, individuality, and freedom, the ambiguity of the ending, in which the protagonist commits suicide, often creates a sense of confusion as to the author’s point. Throughout the story it becomes clear that the underlying premise is how society forces individuals to conform, thus preventing one’s self-possession. This can be defined as the right to control one’s own thoughts, actions, body, and soul. Moreover, the novel stresses Edna’s rebellion against this conformity as a means to express herself as an individual.

The novel’s setting is in a Creole community in New Orleans, where the characters are all wealthy members of high society. Most of the activities that the characters take part in revolve around socializing or attending dinner parties, and everyone fits into a stereotypical r

Although Edna does not want a man to have possession of her, she still feels the need to have love. According to her society, Edna should be content with the fact that she is married to a wealthy businessman. However, Edna is not satisfied with simply having a husband who loves the idea of having a wife and mother of his children; rather, she wants someone who is in love with her. Although Leonce is kind, he does not by any means treat Edna as his equal. For example, when Edna talks about her swim far out into the water, Leonce tells her “You were not so very far, my dear; I was watching you,” as if to belittle her accomplishment or discourage her from further attempts. Despite this, all of the women in Edna’s social circle feel that Leonce is the “best husband in the world,” and she is “forced to admit that she knew of none better.” Here, Chopin reveals that the reason Edna is “forced” is because she has not known any other life. Her marriage to Leonce occurs when she is a “grown young woman,” and she chooses him partially as a rebellion against her father and sister, who do not want her marrying a Catholic man. Consequently, Edna rebels again by searching for love in various other male characters such as Robert Lebrun or Alcee Arobin. Ultimately, however, Edna’s attempts to fill this void are not successful, as she cannot find fulfillment in either of these men. For example, although her small affair with Alcee made her feel “as if a mist had been lifted from her eyes,” she has a “dull pang of regret because it was not the kiss of love which had inflamed her, because it was not love which had held this cup of life to her lips.” Chopin seems to suggest that without feeling truly loved, on a higher level such as Edna seeks, one can never really find happiness. In fact, one of her last thoughts as she sinks into the ocean is of the cavalry officer, who, long ago, had “went the way of dreams.” It is almost as if now that she is finally leaving society, he is more real than ever. More specifically, Edna can only fully grasp her dreams and take control of her life by committing suicide, for it is here that she is in control.

Chopin makes it clear from the beginning of the novel that everything which makes Edna happy is considered some sort of rebellion in her society. This is because Edna feels that in order to truly have ownership of herself, she must express the kind of person who she really is. However, this is a deviation from everything society tells her to be. Thus, one important aspect of Edna’s “awakening” is that she does not try to fit the image of perfection that women are supposed to have. She does not feel the need to keep flawless skin, as when she is resting in the sun with Adele she unbuttons the top of

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