Next Section Chapters 1-3 Summary and Analysis Previous Section The Awakening Summary Buy Study Guide How To Cite in MLA Format Moon, Jennifer. Mademoiselle Reisz has an artistic temperament. Edna frequently goes to visit her to listen to her play and to read the letters that her friend receives from Robert.
Mademoiselle ReiszĪ pianist, Mademoiselle Reisz is very eccentric, ugly, and irritable, and she lives alone. Madame Ratignolle is sympathetic to Edna and frequently gives her unsolicited advice. She is currently pregnant and makes her friend Edna promise to be there when she goes into labor. Madame Ratignolle is the epitome of motherhood and femininity, with many children, innate maternal instincts, and a voluptuous appearance. He attaches himself to Edna, and they have an affair. Alcée ArobinĪlcée Arobin is a fashionable young man and has the reputation of being a philanderer. Pontellier and sometimes reminds her of Robert. Madame Lebrun's favorite son, Victor is spoiled and obnoxious, but very good-looking. Madame Lebrun owns the cottages in Grand Isle that the New Orleans city folk like to rent out for the summer. He tries to distance himself from her by going to Vera Cruz, and he tries to be honorable by not always reciprocating Edna's advances. Robert LebrunĪ young flirt, Robert attaches himself to Edna Pontellier during the summer and unexpectedly grows quite attached to her. Many years ago he gambled away the family farm in Kentucky, and he was domineering and severe to his wife. The Colonel fought in the Confederate army and is now a distinguished, solemn old man who likes to drink toddies during the day.
These free notes consist of about 50 pages (14,773 words) and contain the following sections: These free notes also contain Quotes and Themes & Topics on The Awakening by Kate Chopin. When Leónce goes to New York for an extended period of time, they go to visit their grandmother in the country. The free The Awakening notes include comprehensive information and analysis to help you understand the book. Raoul and Etienne are very self-sufficient and do not like to hang on to their mother or to their quadroon nurse.
Raoul and Etienne PontellierĮdna and Leónce's toddler children. Mild and gentle, he is extremely tolerant of Edna's whims and rebellions. He is obsessed with making money and with acquiring expensive possessions for his home. Leónce PontellierĪs Edna's husband, Leónce spends most of the time away from home on business. In trying to gain a sense of herself as a complete, autonomous human being, she flouts convention by moving out of her husband's house, having an adulterous affair, and becoming an artist. The protagonist of the novel, Edna embarks on a path of emotional, intellectual, and sexual awakening after spending a very pleasant summer with her young admirer, Robert Lebrun.