The Awakening

I have found The Awakening to be very entertaining because of how subversive the subject matter is. Kate Chopin wrote about views of married and family life that were not discussed in public if at all by society at the time it was written. She pushes the proverbial envelope by presenting a character who is not satisfied in the gender role she has been assigned. Edna Pontellier is troubled by the part she is forced to play. This can be seen in her obvious disregard for her husband and by her lack-luster performance as a mother. She attempts to step outside the perscribed duties and roles of women in attempt to find freedom. She ultimately reaches this goal but shedding her oppressive clothing and swimming out into the ocean, a place beyond society's reach and rules.

Question: Can parallels be drawn between the experiences of Kate Chopin's characters and her own life? What allowed Chopin to make such subversive social commentaries?