Setting
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The setting in "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin is at the Grand Isles in the late 19th century. The Grand Isles is a place of vacationing every summer for the Creole people. The guests spend their time in the ocean and also interact frequently. The guests each stay in their individual cottages, but each cottage connects to a main meeting house. During this time period, women had specific roles in society which included household work and caring for their husbands and children. An ideal 19th century woman devoted all her time to caring for and loving her children and making sure her husband was aware of her love for him. Edna married into the Creole culture, which was very different from that of a modern American. The setting takes place in a restrictive society of the Creole people where divorce is not optional and gender roles are not up for discussion. The setting in the Creole society later leads to Edna's "awakening" to be open and passionate individually, which is very different from the Creole woman's reserved manner and dependence. The sea that is set in the Grand Isles also plays a major role in the plot. Edna's constant trips to swim in the ocean empowers her to become the woman that she wants to be, not what her husband expects of her.
The setting in "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin is at the Grand Isles in the late 19th century. The Grand Isles is a place of vacationing every summer for the Creole people. The guests spend their time in the ocean and also interact frequently. The guests each stay in their individual cottages, but each cottage connects to a main meeting house. During this time period, women had specific roles in society which included household work and caring for their husbands and children. An ideal 19th century woman devoted all her time to caring for and loving her children and making sure her husband was aware of her love for him. Edna married into the Creole culture, which was very different from that of a modern American. The setting takes place in a restrictive society of the Creole people where divorce is not optional and gender roles are not up for discussion. The setting in the Creole society later leads to Edna's "awakening" to be open and passionate individually, which is very different from the Creole woman's reserved manner and dependence. The sea that is set in the Grand Isles also plays a major role in the plot. Edna's constant trips to swim in the ocean empowers her to become the woman that she wants to be, not what her husband expects of her.
If The Awakening was illustrated in a children's book, I believe that this would be the first page introducing the setting. I imagine the setting of the Grand Isles silent and peaceful before the arrival of the guests and the sunset always perfectly colorful and large. I imagine the little cabins being almost "log-like", and each connecting paths to the main, elaborate building where all the parties and banquets are hosted. The beach and the sea is just far enough away to admire its beauty but just close enough to walk to in order to enjoy its pleasures.