In Kate Chopin’s the awakening the author uses the tension between Edna’s outward conformity and Edna’s inward questioning to build on the meaning of the awakening by Edna starting to what what she wants, when she wants. The tension in the Awakening starts to build on the meaning when Edna starts doing what she wants.”I simply felt like going out, and I went out.”(51)”No, I left no excuse.”(51) Edna left no excuse which was something you didn't do especially if you were a women of high status. Edna is starting to exercise more free will which is against the norms of a high class society. Society in the Victorian era expected women of all social classes to have kids take, care of the house, and respect and do whatever the husband says. The
