Strength in the Struggle Many readers see Edna Pontellier's actions in The Awakening of Kate Chopin as those of a feminist martyr. Edna not only defies her husband and commits adultery, but chooses death rather than life in a society that does not guarantee gender equality. While this reading may fit, it is misleading in that it ignores a fundamental aspect of Chopin's work, the force that causes Mrs. Mallard's happiness in “The Story of an Hour” at the news of her husband's death, “that blind persistence in which men and women believe they have the right to impose a private will on another human being” (Chopin 353). While it is true that when Chopin was writing, women were most likely denied the pursuit of individuality, analyzing his work through a narrowly gendered lens limits its impact. The importance of Chopin's work lies in the depiction of characters engaged in the pursuit of a peculiar desire. The institution of marriage is the one that most likely violates individual rights. Therefore, it is the basis for many of Chopin's stories. Thus, along the way we learn that while Chopin believes that, although marriage often stifles individuality, this need not be the case. In Chopin's work we see men and women willing to do anything to pursue a strong enough desire. These characters are often unsure of the nature of their desire. These characters' quest is strengthened when they perceive their desire to be futile. Chopin portrays characters who struggle with the institution of marriage or society's expectations of them. In most cases, they choose to pursue their individual desire rather than fulfill society's expectations. Chopin believes that individual desire knows no boundaries, is often uncertain...... middle of paper......Chopin, Kate. “A point in question!” Rubin 348-353.Chopin, Kate. "To blame." Rubin 741-877.Chopin, Kate. “The Awakening”. American literature 1865-1914. Ed. Nina Baym. New York: Norton and Company, 2007. 535-625. Chopin, Kate. "The Story of an Hour." Rubin 352-354.Chopin, Kate. "Wiser than a God." Rubin 39-47.Ringe, Donald. "Romantic Imagery in Kate Chopin's The Awakening." American Literature 43.4 (1972): 580-588. Rubin, Louis, ed. The complete works of Kate Chopin. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1997. Turner, Frederick Jackson. "The Significance of the Frontier in American History." Ed. Nina Baym. New York: Norton and Company, 2007. 1149-1153. Wyatt, Neal. "Kate Chopin Biography." Kate Chopin and her times. 1995. Virginia Commonwealth University. April 4 2008 .