The Stages Of Life Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening is an excellent story of a woman's quest for freedom in her society. Her decisions in life challenge the social barrier, and defy conventional family roles. Edna is unfulfilled as a wife and mother even though she and her husband are financially safe. Her husband, Leonce Pontellier, is a good husband and father but he only pays attention to his own material interests. Because of his …showed first 75 words of 1157 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1157 total…escaped the burdens of society and broken down social barriers, Edna has realized whom she is and what she has to live for, which the church does not play a role in. She realizes what she has overcome in her life and what she has taken for granted. Edna Pontellier committed suicide because her eyes had opened and she could not bear to live the life she saw, which represents her final awakening into death.