TheAwakeningwasaselfdescriptionofEdnaPontellier.Ednawentthroughamajortransformationperiodduringthebook.Ednawentfromabeingahousewifewhowasobedienttoastrongindependentwomanwithemotionsthatshenolongersuppressed.Ednawantsherownidentityapartfromherhusbandandkids.TherebelliousnessofEdnaisanexampleofherinterconflict.TheAwakeningisaprimeexampleofaselfvs.selfconflict.ThedefianceofsocietyalongwithwantingtobeagoodmotherandwifewasEdna'sconflictwithininherself.
TheAwakeningtookplaceinthelatepartofthe1800'sduringthereignofQueenVictoria.Theviewsofhowawomanshouldcarryherselfmadethemoldforthisstory.EdnaisaCreolewomanwhichmeansthatherdemeanoristobeelegantandgraceful.ThisrolestressedEdnaoutshehada personalitythatsheneededtoletout.InTheAwakeningEdnadidn'tfeelcomfortablearoundotherwomenbecauseshedidn'texcepttheroleofthehousewife.Shewantedtobeanindividual ,shedidn'twanttobethetypicalVictorianwoman.SometimesEdnawouldweep about therolesinherlifethatwouldoftenoverwhelmherintodepression.
EdnaPontellierhadainterestingviewonmotherhoodthatmostothermothersdidn'tshare.TheviewEdnahadonhavingchildrenwasthatitdidn'tfitherfate.AnexampleofthiswhenLeon ,Edna'shusbandinformedherthatoneofhersonsRaoulhad afever.It'sinstinctiveforamothertocheckonherchildrenwhenthey'resick,butthisisn'tsoforEdna.LeoncehadtopracticallymakehergetupandcheckonRaoul. Mothersu…