Kate Chopin's, The Awakening, is the story of one women's quest for independence and freedom from a domineering and controlling husband and society. Through many self-discoveries, or "awakening", and through guidance from others, Edna was able to pursue her desires for independence. At this time in history, women had very few rights. Basically, they were told what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. Edna's husband, Leonce, was a male chauvinist, a stereotypical husband of this time. He believed a woman must tend solely to her husband and children's needs, and to the care of the home.

In today's world, a life such as this would be quite absurd and out-of-date to most. Most rights we take for granted nowadays would be unheard of and unrealistic to women just 100 years ago. Edna wasn't able to be her own person...