... women were expected to find their strength and meaning of self in their submissive state and in their dedication to home and family. The Awakening is a novel about the growth of a woman into her own person; in spite of the pattern society has formed for her. Chopin's novel, which challenged society's concepts of what a wife and mother should be, ... severely restricted women's opportunities for emotional accomplishment and self-expression (Murfin 16). In the process of writing The Awakening, Chopin uses her life experiences along with the repressive social status of women during the tur...

• Word Count: 1248
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate