Part of the Legend Classics series, an American feminist classic "The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings. It is a sad spectacle to see the weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth." The Awakening follows Edna Pontellier, a resident of coastal Grand Isle of Louisiana in her late twenties, who has a quintessential set-up for a content housewife. Indeed, her husband makes good money on Wall Street speculations and her daily routine should gleefully hinge on the two children.
But Edna is neither a self-sacrificing mother, nor a devoted wife. Instead, she is gradually awoken to rebel against the imposed societal expectations outside her family and the lack of understanding within. Edna is desperate to find her place being surrounded by the two extremes. On the one hand, she finds selfless Madame Ratignolle, who is a model wife. On the other, there is dejected Mademoiselle Reisz, who pursues her artistic aspiration in solitude. Edna realizes that she is not a possession and has to take charge of her life.
She rejects the money of her husband and being suffocated in their big house decides to rent a flat to escape the status of mere possession. She explores her sexuality with a womanizer Alcee and seems to find real intimate understanding with a young man Robert Lebrun. Will this awakening predetermine her ultimate happiness or signpost personal tragedy? Will the duality of the 'outward existence' and 'inward life' be reconciled for Edna to signify her emancipation?