ng, Edna Pontellier appears to "reject the domestic empire of the mother and the sororal world of women's culture." (Showalter 178). Edna seems to go beyond the bonds of womanhood, she did not have a mother of daughter and refuses to go to her own sister's wedding. This lack of a woman figure in Edna's life deeply affects the way she things and feels until meeting Adele Ratignolle, whom she feels is a "maternal figure." Adele is, in Edna's view, the perfect "mother-woman."Adele encourages Edna in her artistic ability, the way a mother would, by telling Edna that her "talent is immense" (Chopin, The Awakening 55). The relationship that Edna has with Adele causes her to recall the events, decisions and the consequences of these decisions.Chopin shows boldness in the way she makes her female characters defy their families on the subject of marriage. This is shown in The Awakening when Edna realizes that "her marriage to Leonce Pontellier was purely an accident." He fell in love and "his absolute devotion flattered her." (18). Edna also marries Leonce because of "violent opposition of the parts of her father and her sister." (18). The same boldness is also demonstrated in Chopin's short stories. In the story "Night in Acadie", the main female character, Zaida, is going secretly by herself to get married against her family's wishes (Chopin, Night in Acaide 24). Another bold step Chopin takes is by allowing the character to and older, unmarried women to appear in her works. In The Awakening, Chopin gives us an example of her belief that women possess strength. The summer resort where the Pontelliers stay in the novel is owned and managed by Madame Lebrun. Madame Lebrun's husband has left her and she is making it on her own at the resort and caring for her two sons. At this time in history, it was unusual and almost unacceptable for a women not to marry. In the short story, "Regret," Chopin tells of an older, unmarried woman, Mam...
