In the novel The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, the critical approach to feminism is a major aspect of the novel. According to Dictionary.reference.com, the word feminism means “the doctrine advocating the social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.” The Awakening takes place between the late 1800s and early 1900s in New Orleans. The novel is about Edna Pontellier and her family on summer vacation. Edna, who is a wife and mother, is inferior to her husband, Léonce, and must live according to her husband's wishes. While on vacation, Edna befriends Adèle Ratignolle, who helps Edna discover that she must be "woke". Adèle is a character who represents the ideal woman. She is loving, compassionate and motherly. Throughout the novel, Edna searches for something more in life than what she has experienced. Additionally, she is unhappy with her marriage and throughout the summer falls in love with Robert Lebrun. Furthermore, Edna tries to become independent, free and master of her own destiny. It was at this time that the feminist movement was developing. The feminist movement was a time when women fought to prove that they were equal to men. Women fought for the right to vote, to have a job and to go to school. The late 1800s and early 1900s highlighted the power women had to prove their equality. According to the excerpt “Women of Color in The Awakening” by Elizabeth Ammons, “…The Awakening is its heroine’s break toward freedom. » Ultimately, this shows how most women, including Edna Pontellier, attempt to free themselves from the weight of society. Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening presents the feminist critical approach through women's roles, female characters, influences and, middle of paper......t Lant, "The Mermaid of Grand Isle: Adèle's story Her role in The Awakening” explains that “…she learned to swim, to master the waves and to move away from the shore towards freedom. » Edna's death was for her a way to free herself. She no longer needed to face the harsh reality that women faced daily and was responsible for herself. Additionally, for the first time, Edna was able to make a decision for herself. Works Cited Ammons, Elizabeth. “Women of Color Awakening.” http://www.dictionary.reference.com.Women's International Center. “History of Women in America.” http://www.wic.org/misc/history.htm.Deter, Floramaria. “Kate Chopin: In Search of Freedom, Birth and Early Days.” http://classiclit.about.com/cs/articles/a/aa_insearch_2.htm.Chopin, Kate. Awakening. 1899.Lant, Kathleen M. ""The Mermaid of Grand Isle: Adele's roles in The Awakening""