Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Awakening. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Edna Pontellier, who has awakened to her own desires and refuses to live as a dutiful wife and mother, swims out into the Gulf of Mexico at Grand Isle until she is too tired to return. The novel ends as she drowns, thinking of her childhood and her freedom.
Quick facts
– Book: The Awakening by Kate Chopin
– First published: 1899
– Type: A feminist novel
– Tone of the ending: Tragic and liberating
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Edna, a married woman in New Orleans, spends a summer at Grand Isle and falls in love with Robert Lebrun. She begins to feel independent, learns to swim and paints. Back in the city, she moves into a small house of her own and has an affair with Alcée Arobin.
What Happens at the End of The Awakening
Robert returns and admits he loves Edna, but he leaves her a note saying “Good-by—because I love you.” Edna realizes she cannot live as society expects. She goes back to Grand Isle, takes off her clothes and swims out into the sea.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Robert leaves Edna.
- Edna chooses freedom.
- Her death is ambiguous.
- The sea symbolizes freedom.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Edna Pontellier | Drowns in the sea |
| Robert Lebrun | Leaves Edna |
| Léonce Pontellier | Edna's husband |
| Mademoiselle Reisz | Edna's mentor |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows how limited women's choices were in the 1890s.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers see Edna's death as defeat, while others see it as liberation.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Freedom. Edna seeks independence.
Gender. Society limits women.
Self-discovery. Edna awakens to her desires.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Awakening as tragic and liberating. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Kate Chopin to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are tragic and liberating will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Kate Chopin closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Awakening with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about freedom, and do you agree with Kate Chopin's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as tragic and liberating, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces freedom and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Kate Chopin leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Awakening often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Awakening earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Awakening on Amazon
Books to Read After The Awakening
- The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
- Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Related: The Awakening by Kate Chopin: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Awakening You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Awakening?
Edna Pontellier, who has awakened to her own desires and refuses to live as a dutiful wife and mother, swims out into the Gulf of Mexico at Grand Isle until she is too tired to return. The novel ends as she drowns, thinking of her childhood and her freedom.
Is the ending of The Awakening happy or sad?
Most readers call it tragic and liberating.
What does the ending of The Awakening mean?
The ending shows how limited women's choices were in the 1890s.
Why was The Awakening controversial?
In 1899 critics attacked it for showing a married woman who puts her own desires above her husband and children, and the book fell out of print for decades.
Who wrote The Awakening and when was it published?
The Awakening was written by Kate Chopin and first published in 1899.
Is The Awakening worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy feminist novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Kate Chopin prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Awakening before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.