Kate Chopin = Mrs. Pontellier

There are many similarities between Kate Chopin and Mrs. Pontellier in the novel The Awakening. We can see this from the start. Kate Chopin herself grew up in the country in St. Louis, Missouri. Likewise to that is Mrs. Pontellier, “Mrs. Pontellier talked about her father’s Mississippi plantation and her childhood home in old Kentucky blue-grass country.” (Chopin 5). Both of these women grew up in rural areas. Thus, Mrs.Pontellier’s past must be based on Kate Chopin’s past. Also in the novel it states, “ She was an American women, with a small infusion of French…” (Chopin 5). Just like Kate Chopin this women has a french background. To be more specific, they both were acquainted with the creole culture. Lastly, I believe Mrs. Pontellier is living out Kate Chopin’s  desire of feminism. This is clearly seen by the way Mrs. Pontellier treats her husband in later chapters. When Mr. Pontellier asks (mostly ordering) Edna if she is coming to bed, she replies, “No; I am going to stay out here.” (Chopin 42). This is an act of defiance which Kate lives out through Mrs. Pontellier. Kate wishes to be free and uncontrolled by men, just how Edna does. Edna brings Kate’s thoughts into actions. I believe Kate Chopin wrote this novel emulating herself as the character Mrs. Pontellier