Interview with Bill Bridges

Published in 1899, 'The Awakening' by Kate Chopin is a groundbreaking novel that delves into the inner life of Edna Pontellier, a young mother living in New Orleans and on the Louisiana Gulf coast. The story follows Edna's 'awakening' to her own desires and yearning for independence, which is accelerated by her relationship with Robert Lebrun. As Edna begins to question the societal norms that confine her, she starts to pursue her passion for painting, learns to swim, and engages in affairs that symbolize her rebellion against her prescribed roles as a wife and mother. The novel is rich in symbolism, particularly the sea, which represents freedom, empowerment, and ultimately, Edna's tragic yet liberating end. Through Edna's journey, Chopin critiques the restrictive roles of women in Victorian society and highlights the complexities of selfhood and women's liberation.