Kate Chopin's The Awakening

<p>Damned upon publication for engaging with the taboo issues of female sexuality and infidelity Kate Chopin's <em>The Awakening</em> (1899) is now hailed as a key early feminist text and an important work of American literature.<br>This sourcebook combines accessible commentary with reprinted documents to provide the ideal introduction to this widely debated novel. The editors offer:</p><p>* extensive coverage of the contexts to the work including biographical information on Chopin and the social and historical backgrounds to her writing<br>* an outline of the critical reception of the novel from the early reviews to contemporary debates and extracts from influential essays<br>* selected chapters of the original text reproduced with extensive commentary on key issues and suggestions on links with contextual and critical materials<br>* a guide to further reading ideal for extended independent study.</p><p>Providing all the tools for engaged informed individual analysis of the text this sourcebook will greatly enrich any reading of <em>The Awakening</em>. It is an essential starting point for students of American literature and women's writing or for anyone fascinated by Chopin's controversial work.</p>