The Awakening

How does Kate Chopin use other characters

in The Awakening in order to cast Edna
Pontellier's desiresand social limitations
in sharp relief?

Leonce
Leonce Pontellier is the ideal
Creole Husband. He tells his
wife to do something and
expects her to do it with no
questions asked and in turn
he supports her and is a
good father. According to the
culture Edna is living in, this
is what is supposed to be.
However, it is quickly made
known through the spouses
interactions that Edna has a
resentment to the unequal
marriage and her inability to
express herself

Madame
Ratignolle
Madame is a character
introduced in the novel
before Edna is. She it the
epitome of the perfect
Creole wife and mother.
Her character helps display
to the reader what Edna is
expected to act and think
like. Due to the third person
point-of-view in the novel,
however, it is quickly made
known that Edna is far from
the perfect Creole woman.

Mademois
elle Reisz
Mademoiselle is a woman
that inspires Edna to want
more in her life.
Mademoiselle does not have
a husband or children and
has music that she uses to
express herself. This an
extreme completely opposite
of Madam Ratignolle.

Alcee
Arobin
Alcee is Ednas love interest
while Robert is away. When
Edna has an affair with him,
it is easily made known to
the reader that Edna is
frustrated with her husband
and heartbroken that
Robert left and has yet to
contact her.