The Awakening by Kate Chopin is an inspiring novel, focusing on the internal struggles of a young married woman, Edna Pontellier, who tries to fight off the chains of society while discovering who she is as a person. Edna's friends and husband end up pushing her, unintentionally, to become more of an independent woman. Once she discovers her new-found freedom she must learn to balance this independence with the relationships she wishes to pursue. Chopin's writing style keeps the reader engaged, using dramatic imagery and shifting perspectives.