The Role of Setting in Literature: An Analysis of 'The Awakening'

Andrew Sevic

AP Literature

Mrs. Schroder

3 January 2017 Throughout time setting has played a large role in literature. Setting contributes to the tone of the piece, the plot of the story, and the effectiveness of the message. Oftentimes in literature, an author can advance their plot through the use of multiple settings. In the awakening, Kate Chopin masterfully contrasts the Pontellier’s favorite vacation destination on Grand Isle with their home in New Orleans. The disparity between these locations and what they represent allows the reader to fully capture Edna’s emotional state throughout the novel. Grand Isle, a secluded island retreat for New Orlean’s wealthiest families, is also the favorite vacation spot of the Pontelliers. Located

A bustling town located along Louisiana’s gulf coast, New Orleans occupies one of two central locations in the novel. While serving as the Pontellier's home, New Orleans also features the center of Leonce’s business. Being wealthy, Edna and Leonce are entrenched at the top of the societal hierarchy. With this standing, Edna is forced to center her life around the obligations of a traditional Creole lifestyle. This gets in the way of both her art and happiness. As the novel progresses these social responsibilities become more and more of a restraint, leading to an eventual shirking of duties. Edna eventually decides to ignore her regular tuesday callers, and instead strolls through the streets of the city enjoying her time of solitude. When Robert returns to find that Edna ignored her callers without leaving an excuse, he becomes worried that Edna’s general unhappiness may be developing into something more serious. This results in him consulting a local doctor, a fruitless endeavor that does little to combat Edna’s awakening. Ironically, the Creole lifestyle Edna married into with Robert provides the emotional freedom to allow for her awakening, while also pushing her into the awakening with their constant rules and restrictions. Without the open emotion she learns from Robert, Adele, and Leonce; Edna most likely would have suppressed her feelings and continued on the path of unhappiness while remaining in her marriage. The setting of New Orleans also provides for unique subsettings that play a big role in Edna’s awakening. The race track provides the setting where she met Alcee, a regrettable fling that emerges as she wrestles with her love for Robert and her unhappiness with Leonce. That fling leaves Edna more confused, wondering how she could succumb to desire without love. Perhaps the most important setting also is in New Orleans, around the corner from