Kate Chopin was a Mom of five and unfortunately a Widow living in Louisiana. After her Husband's death she was left with a huge debt that was followed shortly after the loss of her Mother leaving her extremely depressed. Chopin's Doctor suggested she write for therapeutic and finances to help her through.
Chopin wrote The Awakening in 1899 about Edna and her struggles with social attitudes toward women. It is also about how she perceives herself and who she actually is. In Louisana a wife was legal property of the husband. The story tells the struggle and desires of a woman with a want of free spirit, unrestrained life vs what was normal social behaviors expected in New Orleans of the perfect Mother, Wife and Social Hostess.

Edna loves the fresh feeling music, painting, living independently of her family, and the passion of another gives her. As she finds this self expression she is self absorbed and the consequences? she loses the support around her. In the end her detachment from her young boys and that responsiblitiy of motherhood are too overwhelming.