the relationship of the awakening by kate chopin and the creole society The awakening is a novel by kate chopin, first published in 1899 set in new  orleans and on  at grand isle, edna eventually forms a connection with robert  lebrun, a charming, earnest young man who  edna pontellier [ɛdna pɔ̃tɛlje]  – a respectable presbyterian from kentucky, living in creole society in louisiana.