Kate Chopin’s (1899- ) The Awakening gives an account of Edna Pontellie’s awakening in soul and body and sing highly of her courage to pursue freedom and independence. But in a patriarchal society, women can only exist subordinate to men and any woman’s rebellion is to be defeated. Through a detailed analysis of the process of Edna’s awakening, it argues that Edna is not awakened but disillusioned, and she still lives under the heavy patriarchal shackles.