Edna Pontellier The Awakening, which was written by Kate Chopin, received a great deal of criticism when it was first published in 1899. Much of the controversy over the novel arose because of the character of Edna Pontellier. Edna was very much unlike the women of her time. In today's terms she would be considered a rebel. Edna opposed the traditional roles of society that kept many restraints on the women of the 1800's. According to traditional society of the 1800's women were assigned the duties of tending the home, caring for their husband, and bearing children. On the other hand, the men of this time were to be considered the autho