The Victorian age was one of great elegance and delicacy. The elite society was formed by few rich, polished and decorous people. The women were expected to be subtle, quiet and completely devoted to their husband and children. A woman's goal in life was to marry an important rich man and have many offsprings. Through The Awakening, Kate Chopin criticizes society's perception of what a woman should be by making her heroine a free spirited, independent woman. "He reproached his wife with her inattention, her habitual neglect of the children. If it was not a mother's place to look after children, whose on earth was it"" Chapter 3, pg. 7

Victorian age women spend their life taking care of their family and leaving their personal aspirations at the end of their priorities. The complete dependence the Victorian women have on their husband and the imperative happiness of their children makes...