The Awakening explores one woman’s desire to find and live fully within her true self. Her devotion to that purpose causes friction with her friends and family, and also conflicts with the dominant values of her time.

Leonce Pontellier and his young wife, Edna, spend the summer months at Grande Isle. While resting, Leonce gambles and works in business at the local hotel, Klein's, and visits Carondelet Street in New Orleans during the week. Edna learns how to swim on the beach and befriends Madame Adele Ratignolle and Robert Lebrun. As Edna is discovering new ways to live on her own and support herself in the water, she spends almost all her time with Robert, developing feelings for him. Adele warns him not to flirt with Edna so, for she is not like them - society people who come and go at their pleasing. …