As a literary autobiography, the book depicts Chopin's own awakening from an acquiescent mother and wife to a woman of independence. In her case, as well as Edna's, she asserted her right to become a fully autonomous human being and artist. Though Kate Chopin began writing at a late age, she had always been in opposition to the containment of the majority. In early years she was known as "the littlest rebel" of St. Louis after she "tore down the Union flag from the front porch when the Yanks tied it up there" (Showalter 67). Her gradual awakening, however, from the society's restraining role of motherhood to a higher class standing, grew most abundantly in The Awakening. Kate's writings provided her with the means to live how she wanted, both mentally and physically, rather than play the role society expected of her. The events she experienced, along with her female insight, provided a cornerstone for her stories and a fresh outlet for the perspective of other women; perhaps becoming a voice for women of her generation.
While popular women's literature perpetuated an image of the "perfect woman", such as a loving wife, a compassionate mother and a dependable housekeeper, Chopin's writings were in opposition of these. At the same time, society was made up women, "who idolized their children, worshipped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals" (Chopin 638). Under the circumstances, life proved very difficult for women like Edna. In the society created by the Awakening, the husband's attitude played a large role in Edna's liberation. The Creole husband is "never jealous" (Chopin 641); however, their wives existed only to be possessions that were "legally bound" by Louisiana law (Showalter 65). Chopin denounces the laws of women as "personal property" (Stange 2) by exploring the possibilities of self-ownership.
Women also had to follow stringent laws concerning what they were and were not permitted to do.