re advancing, those in state of Louisiana were not. At the time the state operated under a different legal system than the rest of the country. Under the Louisiana Civil Code, article 1388, a woman was still the legal property of her husband, and the male had absolute (legal) control over the family. It also said, in article 1124, married women, babies, and the mentally ill were incompetent in making a legal contract. (Herman, 53) Wives were possessions to be cared for and displayed. They often brought a dowry or inherited wealth to a marriage.Like most of Chopin’s stories, The Awaking is set in the late 19th-century Creole society of the New Orleans area. It is the story of a young woman’s struggle to become herself. It concludes that the complete freedom and happiness that she yearns for is not available to her in socially appointed roles as a wife and mother. Edna Pontellier is married to her husband, Mr.Pontellier, “a person whom she had married without love as an excuse” (McQuade, 1661). The story opens during summer vacation at Grand Isle. This environment allows Edna to explore her own personality. It is on the island that Edna begins her “awakening” to life. She first realizes her dissatisfaction with her life. Then she learns the pleasure of swimming. It is on Grand Isle that she begins to feel sexual attraction to Robert, although her awakening to sexuality occurs months later. Edna also realizes that she is not a “mother-woman” this summer. She does love her two sons, but admits to Madame Ratignolle that “she would never sacrifice herself for her children, or for anyone” (McQuade, 1683). She distinguishes her person independent to the Edna that is a mother and wife.Although her husband, Leonce, would visit the island, Edna spent most of her time bonding with Robert Lebrun. She fell in love with him without even knowing it. Edna was able to be herself t...
