The Awakening and Selected Stories of Kate Chopin

<p><em>"Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life." </em></p> <p>Kate Chopin was enjoying wide popularity as a writer, mainly of short stories, when her second novel, <em>The Awakening</em>, was published to widespread criticism of its immorality. A wake-up call to women all over the country, this landmark novel of early American feminism tells of a Louisiana wife who discovers the strength of her own sexuality and tries to wrench it from the hands of a patriarchal society. And just as Edna Pontellier is ostracized for trying to master her own sexual fate, so did Chopin's reputation suffer after she wrote this book. Today <em>The Awakening</em> is considered a masterpiece and, along with Chopin's short stories, has set a standard for younger generations of women who have learned to value their independence and authenticity.</p> <p>Edited and with an Introduction by Barbara H. Solomon</p>