What is the plot of "The Awakening" centered around?

The plot of "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin centers around a woman's struggle against gender limitations and expectations. The protagonist, Edna Pontellier, experiences a deep awakening to her own desires and identity, challenging the societal norms that dictate her role as a wife and mother in the late 19th century. Throughout the novel, Edna grapples with her awakening self-awareness, leading her to question the constraints placed upon her by society, ultimately seeking personal freedom and autonomy.

This theme explores the conflicts between individual aspirations and societal roles, emphasizing the difficulty women face in asserting themselves in a patriarchal society. Edna's journey illustrates the struggles many women endure when confronted with the expectations of marriage, motherhood, and social propriety.

The other options, while interesting, do not accurately capture the primary focus of the narrative. The story distinctly critiques societal norms related to gender, making option B the most representative of the plot’s central themes.