# Mademoiselle Reisz — The Awakening character guide

> Mademoiselle Reisz in The Awakening by Kate Chopin.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mademoiselle, a Mademoiselle Reisz

**First appearance:** 0008-ix

## Snapshot

A shabby, reclusive pianist whose Chopin sends a keen tremor down Edna's spine and who plays for no one else worth playing for.

## Who they are

Mademoiselle Reisz lives alone with her music, tolerated by the Grand Isle circle as an eccentricity and feared for her sharp tongue. When she plays, Edna stops seeing pictures and feels the passions themselves swaying her soul, and the old woman pats her shoulder afterward with the recognition Edna has found nowhere else. Her touch is the one that answers the voice of the sea, and she becomes the keeper of Edna's secret self.

## Relationships

### [Edna Pontellier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/edna_pontellier)

_friendship_

Mademoiselle Reisz is Edna's confidante and artistic mentor, encouraging her independence and passion for music.

### [Robert Lebrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/robert_lebrun)

_friendship_

Mademoiselle Reisz acts as a confidante to Robert, knowing his feelings for Edna and teasing him about them.

### [Adèle Ratignolle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/adele_ratignolle)

_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_

Mademoiselle Reisz is Edna's confidante and artistic mentor, encouraging her independence and passion for music.

### [Edna Pontellier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/edna_pontellier)

_friendship_

Mademoiselle Reisz is Edna's confidante and artistic mentor, encouraging her independence and passion for music.

### [Robert Lebrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/robert_lebrun)

_friendship_

Mademoiselle Reisz acts as a confidante to Robert, knowing his feelings for Edna and teasing him about them.

### [Robert Lebrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/robert_lebrun)

_friendship_

Mademoiselle Reisz acts as a confidante to Robert, knowing his feelings for Edna and teasing him about them.

### [Adèle Ratignolle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/adele_ratignolle)

_social_

Adèle and Mademoiselle Reisz are polite acquaintances who represent opposing views on womanhood and motherhood.

### [Adèle Ratignolle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/adele_ratignolle)

_social_

Adèle and Mademoiselle Reisz are polite acquaintances who represent opposing views on womanhood and motherhood.

## In the story

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/ix)

Plays the piano with such passion that she stirs Edna's soul; she acknowledges Edna as the only one worth playing for.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xvi)

Questions Edna about missing Robert; reveals Madame Lebrun's favoritism toward Victor and Robert's thrashing of Victor over Mariequita; gives Edna her city address.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xx)

Sought by Edna; her address is obtained from Madame Lebrun.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxi)

Receives Edna in her attic apartment, shares Robert's letter, plays the Impromptu.

### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxvi)

Mademoiselle Reisz hosts Edna, plays the piano, and shares Robert's letter revealing his return.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxvii)

Referenced by Edna for her metaphor about strong wings and soaring above tradition and prejudice.

### [The Dinner Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxx)

Attends the dinner, wears violets in her hair, eats well, kisses Edna's shoulder, and leaves early with Monsieur Ratignolle.

### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Absent from her apartment when Edna and Robert visit.

### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxix)

Edna imagines her mocking reaction to her actions, recalling her words about the courageous soul of an artist.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/mademoiselle_reisz
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters