Summary of Kate Chopin's The Awakening

By IRB Media

Get the Summary of Kate Chopin's The Awakening in 20 minutes. Please note: This is a summary & not the original book. Original book introduction: On vacation in Grand Isle, Louisiana, a married woman falls in love with a charming, attentive young man. The relationship spurs Edna Pontellier to explore her longing for independence and creative fulfillment. It also compels her to defy conventions, rejecting the constraints of marriage and motherhood.

First published in 1899, Kate Chopin’s novel drew criticism for its daring portrayal of female infidelity. Rediscovered decades later, it is now lauded for its lyricism, honesty, and astute social commentary. A groundbreaking feminist work and a landmark of modernist literature, The Awakening depicts one woman’s journey to define her true self.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Dec 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781669342014

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

Book preview

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The author was a man named Pontellier, who rented a cottage at Grand Isle. One day, he went for a swim in the Gulf of Mexico, and came across his wife and young son, Robert, playing croquet in the sun.

#2

The Pontelliers went for a stroll on the beach, and while doing so, Mr. Pontellier was approached by Robert Lebrun, who invited him to play billiards at Klein’s hotel.

Insights from Chapter 2

#1

The next day, Robert and Mrs. Pontellier were having a pleasant conversation on the porch when her husband, Léonce, returned home.

Insights from Chapter 3

#1

When Mr. and Mrs. Pontellier returned home that night, Mr. Pontellier complained about how his wife never took care of the children, and how she never seemed to care about anything he had to say.

#2

The next morning, after the rockaway ride, Mr. Pontellier gave his wife half of the money he had earned from gambling. She liked to have money, and enjoyed giving it away to charity. She thought