Kate Chopin's second and final novel, The Awakening, was published in 1899 at the height of
her popularity. Ironically, this work, now regarded as a classic, essentially marked the end of
Chopin's writing career. The Awakening has now earned a place in the literary canon for the
way it uses these formal and structural techniques to explore themes of marriage,
motherhood and woman's independence, desire, and sexuality. In my opinion all these issues
are best seen in the last chapter. That's why I am to write about it.
Chapter XXXIX begins on Grand Isle. Victor and Mariequita flirt an…
