en 54)The main character is Edna Pontiellier. A rather handsome woman. "Her face was captivating by reason of a certain frankness of expression and a contradictory subtle play of features. Her manner was engaging." (Chopin 4) Unlike many other women characters of that time. Edna smoked, and often took walks along the beach, unescorted. That was something most women would never be caught doing. Kate Chopin created and unforgettable character that other women writers of that time would seldom create orwrite about. (Allen 23)Edna Pontiellier is a happily married woman in the beginning of the novel. She is living in a rich New Orleans neighborhood. She is somewhat of an outcast because she does unconventional things. Eventhough she is married and is supposed to be with her husband, she is often seen with another young man. This character is Robert Leburn. The more time Edna spends with Robert, the more she becomes attached. Other characters in this novel openly speculate what is going on between these two.As the novel continues, Edna begins "her awakening". She realizes that she is falling in love with Robert. She also feels much stronger as an independent woman. As the novel draws to a close, Edna and Robert confess their love for eachother. Later on, Edna goes for a swim in the ocean, she goes out further than any other woman. While out in the ocean, she realized that her awakening is complete and that she can never live in this society.Kate Chopin received a great deal of criticism for this novel. Many women during this time were going through something like Edna's "awakening" to independence in this novel. Numerous critics and readers banned this book and gave it bad reviews. A few loved it. (Moers 10) The Awakening is the one novel that ruined her career, but it also is one of the great masterpieces ever written. "This novel is not a simulated case study, but an exploration of the solitary soul still enchanted bu...
