Léonce Pontellier

Edna Pontellier

Léonce is Edna's conventional, neglectful husband who views her as property, fueling her desire for freedom.

Edna Pontellier

Léonce is Edna's conventional, neglectful husband who views her as property, fueling her desire for freedom.

Chapter I

Irritated by the birds, reads the newspaper; views Edna as a valuable possession; leaves to play billiards.

II

Mentioned as having gone to Klein's with New Orleans club men; not present during the conversation.

III

Returns from Klein's hotel in high spirits, reproaches Edna for neglecting Raoul's fever, and insists on his authority as a husband and father.

IV

Mr. Pontellier feels his wife fails in her duty toward their children, though he cannot define it; he regrets voicing the feeling and makes amends.

VII

Mentioned as Edna's husband; their marriage is described as an accident, and Edna reflects on her affection for him.

IX

Present at the gathering, he dances with Edna and brings comic papers for the children.

The Awakening

Walks ahead with Edna, watches her swim, and later comments on her capriciousness to Madame Lebrun.

XI

Tries to command and then entreat Edna to come inside, growing irritated and finally smoking and drinking on the gallery.

XIV

Had been uneasy about Edna but was dissuaded from crossing the bay; went to Klein's on business.

XVI

Visits Grand Isle after Robert's departure; reports meeting Robert in New Orleans and discusses Robert's prospects in Mexico.

Chapter XVII

Returns home to find Edna absent from her reception; criticizes her for neglecting social duties and the poorly prepared dinner, then leaves for his club.

XVIII

Asks Edna to meet him for new library fixtures, comments on her pale appearance, and handles the cook's blunders.

XIX

Mr. Pontellier is bewildered and angered by Edna's new behavior, suspecting she may be mentally unbalanced.

Chapter XXII

Visits Doctor Mandelet to express concern over Edna's changed behavior and seeks advice.

Chapter XXIII

Notices Edna's attentiveness to her father, disapproves of horseracing, and engages in a dispute with the Colonel, later warming up over dinner.

XXIV

Declines to interfere with Edna, follows Doctor Mandelet's advice, leaves for New York to attend the wedding.

XXV

Edna remembers she forgot to write to her husband and composes a letter in her mind, though she feels distant from him.

XXVI

Edna writes to her husband about her intention to move and her farewell dinner.

XXVIII

His reproach is felt by Edna through the external things he provided for her.

XXIX

Not present in the chapter; Edna acts without waiting for his opinion or wishes.

The Dinner Party

Not present at the dinner, but his gift of diamonds is mentioned.

XXXII

Writes a letter of disapproval but arranges renovations and a public notice to save appearances.

Chapter XXXIII

Mentioned as being absent; Edna's moving is discussed.

XXXV

Sends a letter to Edna about his return and plans for a journey abroad, which she answers with friendly evasiveness.

XXXIX

Edna reflects that he and the children are part of her life but cannot possess her.