The Awakening takes place on Grand Isle, which is a summer retreat for wealthy Creoles of New Orleans. This is the society Edna lives in, and it is a conservative, reclusive and restrictive one. The author describes the setting by letting us know what is inside the house. We can hear the noise of the two birds of Madame Lebrun. We also know that the Farival twins play the piano, and that Madame Lebrun gives orders to the servants. Finally, we see the children playing near the water with their quadroon nurse. The setting is carefully described in order to paint an image of the life of wealthy Creoles during this time period.
