Traditions passed down through generations and generations root into everyone's life in a society. However these traditions seem to fit perfectly with the generations past, they nevertheless assume a restricting and unhappy life for the little percentages of the population; those who do not choose to follow the conventions lead an unsatisfying life. As it is the nature of men to seek happiness, hope and meaning in life, those unsatisfied seek ways to break away from the bondage imposed upon them. Kate Chopin's The Awakening illustrates how the expectations and rules of society can be a burden to some individuals. The characters in The Awakening prove the often troublesome truth that to truly "awaken" to the world around a person is to sometimes reject what it offers or expects.

There are many expectations and traditions imposed upon the role of a wife. However, some women cannot accept and...