The Awakening: Romance, Realism and Local Color Imagine being far away, in the middle of the ocean and in that moment, having to make a choice between judgment and individuality, death and life? In 1899, Kate Chopin composed a gripping novel called The Awakening. Throughout Chopin's day, work was considered nonsense and a waste of time on his part. Critics felt that the main character's rebellion was foolish and illegal. At that age, it was firmly believed that women should be nothing less than completely faithful to their husbands and should happily care for any children they had while their spouse was away busy at work. Edna, the central character, did not follow this standard. He specifically says he wouldn't give himself up for his children. She's not one of those who submits to her husband's every whim. Chopin brought romance into play in a realistic setting with this individual. He blends local color with these literary devices. By manipulating romance, Kate Chopin stimulates the imagination and surprises the mind. Romanticism is both a literary and artistic movement. It took place in the 18th and 19th centuries during which people expressed freedom, individuality and emotions in their works. Chopin shows Mrs. Pontellier's display of freedom and individuality when Edna refuses to come in when her husband Leonce tells her to; rather, she stays outside in the hammock and tells him to come in without her. Romantics also loved exotic locations and chose to show a character who followed their heart. Chopin demonstrates this in his work when Edna realizes the...... middle of paper ......because social calls were a pastime on Tuesday evenings, Realism because Leonce believed that Edna should put herself on hold every Tuesday evening for company , and Romance because he chose not to stay. Kate Chopin is now considered a wonderful composer for the same piece that was once forbidden. People realize he was just before his time. He mixed a romanticism now common to our time with a realism faithful to his time. He enriched it with a mélange of Local Color in his setting to give a complete vision of Edna Pontellier's world. Seeing all that he faces, which option should be chosen? Would it be better to live without freedom of individuality or die trying to obtain it? With all the pressures prevailing on Edna, she chose death.