
Harper Collins is proud to present its range of best-loved essential classics I would give up the unessential; I would give my money I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself' Heralded as one of the first instances of feminist literature & rejected at its time of publication by the literary set on grounds of moral distaste Kate Chopin's The Awakening caused consternation in 1899 Constrained & confined by the limitations surrounding marriage & motherhood in the late 1800s Edna Pontellier begins to challenge the notion of femininity through her thoughts & actions Questioning her love for her husband & opening herself up to the possibilities of other men & a life outside of societal convention leads to a gradual awakening of her desires Chopin's fascinating exploration of one woman challenging the expectation that surrounds her is powerful daring & ultimately tragic in its conclusions