# Adèle Ratignolle — The Awakening character guide > Adèle Ratignolle in The Awakening by Kate Chopin. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Madame Ratignolle, Ratignolle, Madame, The old Madame, Adèle **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot A radiant Creole mother whose whole existence is candid and readable, and who becomes the first person Edna has ever wanted to confide in. ## Who they are Adèle moves through Grand Isle like a sensuous Madonna, trailing children and needlework, her beauty and her devotion equally on display. Her openness is so complete that it forms a striking contrast to Edna's habitual reserve, and the sympathy between them feels like something the gods forged. She embodies the mother-woman Edna cannot become, and her serene example makes Edna's own restlessness both more visible and more lonely. ## Relationships ### [Edna Pontellier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/edna_pontellier) _friendship_ Adèle is Edna's close friend and a model of conventional motherhood, whose domestic life both comforts and contrasts with Edna's rebellion. ### [Robert Lebrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/robert_lebrun) _friendship_ Adèle and Robert share a warm, platonic friendship rooted in their Creole social circle and mutual concern for Edna. ### [Mademoiselle Reisz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/mademoiselle_reisz) _social_ Adèle and Mademoiselle Reisz are polite acquaintances who represent opposing views on womanhood and motherhood. ### [Edna Pontellier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/edna_pontellier) _friendship_ Adèle is Edna's close friend and a model of conventional motherhood, whose domestic life both comforts and contrasts with Edna's rebellion. ### [Robert Lebrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/robert_lebrun) _friendship_ Adèle and Robert share a warm, platonic friendship rooted in their Creole social circle and mutual concern for Edna. ### [Edna Pontellier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/edna_pontellier) _friendship_ Adèle is Edna's close friend and a model of conventional motherhood, whose domestic life both comforts and contrasts with Edna's rebellion. ### [Robert Lebrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/robert_lebrun) _friendship_ Adèle and Robert share a warm, platonic friendship rooted in their Creole social circle and mutual concern for Edna. ### [Mademoiselle Reisz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/mademoiselle_reisz) _social_ Adèle and Mademoiselle Reisz are polite acquaintances who represent opposing views on womanhood and motherhood. ### [Mademoiselle Reisz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/mademoiselle_reisz) _social_ Adèle and Mademoiselle Reisz are polite acquaintances who represent opposing views on womanhood and motherhood. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/iv) Adèle is the epitome of the 'mother-woman,' married seven years with three children and expecting a fourth; she is always discussing her 'condition' and is devoted to her family. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/v) Sews and tells stories, is sketched by Edna, complains of faintness, and leaves with her children. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/vii) Accompanies Edna to the beach, listens to her confidences, and offers physical affection; her candor influences Edna's loosening of reserve. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/viii) Cautions Robert against encouraging Edna, then accepts his apology and bouillon. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/ix) Plays the piano for the dancers, keeping up her music for the sake of her home and children. ### [The Awakening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/x) Walks ahead with her husband, part of the group at the beach. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xiv) Delivers Etienne to Edna, reports Léonce's unease and his trip to Klein's. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xv) Adèle expresses concern about Robert's sudden departure and later tries to persuade Edna to join the group. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xvi) Argues with Edna about sacrificing for children, unable to understand Edna's distinction between giving life and giving oneself. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xviii) Hosts Edna, shows off her sketches, and embodies a life of blind contentment that Edna pities. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xix) Mentioned by Mr. Pontellier as a model of domesticity who balances her music with household duties. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxiii) Hosts the soirée musicale, coquettes with the Colonel, and disapproves of Mr. Pontellier's club, advising Edna about marital unity. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxv) Edna briefly considers inviting Adèle to the races but knows she rarely leaves the house except for a walk with her husband. ### [The Dinner Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxx) Mentioned as being souffrante and unpresentable, unable to attend the dinner. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxiii) Visits Edna at her new house; warns Edna about Alcée Arobin's reputation. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxvi) Sends a message requesting Edna's help as she is taken ill. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxvii) In the throes of labor, she is anxious and in pain, relying on Edna's presence and later imploring her to remember her children. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxviii) Her voice haunts Edna with the reminder to 'think of the children.' ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/adele_ratignolle - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters