Set in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast at the end of the nineteenth century, The Awakening centers on Edna Pontellier, an apparently happy twenty-eight-year-old wife and mother of two. But when a summer romance reignites Edna's appetite for life, she discovers that her conventional family, friends, and surroundings do not make her happy. Boldly--and to the astonishment of her husband and the consternation of New Orleans society--Edna begins to discover the joys of solitude, creative expression, and erotic freedom. A scandal and a shock to readers when it was first published in 1899, The Awakening remains a daring portrayal of a woman rejecting domesticity in favor of her own happiness and self-expression. This edition includes some of Chopin's most studied short stories, including "Désirée's Baby, " "A Pair of Silk Stockings, " and "The Story of an Hour.