Loneliness In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

The Awakening, a novella by Kate Chopin, introduces Edna Pontellier’s struggle to find independence from society's standards. This novella was set in the 19th century in La Grand Isle, off the coast of Louisiana. While Edna was staying in La Grand Isle she met Robert Lebrun who was very flirtatious; Robert’s innocent flirtation was taken seriously by Edna, and this ultimately sparked her desire to feel independent from the realities of her life. Throughout Edna’s quest for separation from societal expectations she not only became disconnected from her family, but also her friends. Adèle Ratignolle displayed a consistent friendship towards Edna throughout Edna’s rebellious actions towards her family and society. While showing qualities such as friendliness,

While defying society's standards Edna Pontellier proved how different she was from Adèle. Leonce displays his frustration with how his wife, Edna, treats him, “He thought it very discouraging that his wife, who was the sole object of his existence, evinced so little interest in things which concerned him, and valued so little his conversation” (Chopin 6). Encircling the Pontelliers’ marriage was dissatisfaction due to Edna’s rejection of her duties as a mother and wife. Although Adèle has a disconnection with Edna’s personality she still displays friendliness while staying true to her own nature. Adèle is the epitome of what society considers an ideal woman, which helps show how different she is from Edna, “Many of them were delicious in the role; one of them was the embodiment of every womanly grace and charm. If her husband did not adore her, he was a brute, deserving a death by slow torture” (9). The people around Adèle recognize her as a woman of grace, so she became society’s idea of a motherly-woman. Although Adèle conveys friendliness to those surrounding her, she also displays how devoted she is to her