# Robert Lebrun — The Awakening character guide > Robert Lebrun in The Awakening by Kate Chopin. **Role:** major **Also known as:** young Robert Lebrun, Lebrun, Mr. Robert **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot A charming young Creole who attaches himself to married women as a harmless summer pastime, until his attentions to Edna stop feeling harmless to either of them. ## Who they are Robert drifts through Grand Isle as the favorite of every matron, fetching lemonade and inventing moonlight bathing parties, his devotion so lightly worn that no husband objects. With Edna he finds himself holding away for whole days, then redoubling his attentions as if to make up for lost hours. When he abruptly leaves for Mexico, the brightness goes out of everything for her, and his few careless lines to his mother become the most precious document in the world. ## Relationships ### [Edna Pontellier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/edna_pontellier) _romantic_ Edna's intense romantic obsession with Robert drives her awakening, but his conventional fears ultimately lead to her despair. ### [Adèle Ratignolle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/adele_ratignolle) _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) _friendship_ Mademoiselle Reisz acts as a confidante to Robert, knowing his feelings for Edna and teasing him about them. ### [Alcée Arobin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/alcee_arobin) _rivalry_ Alcée and Robert are romantic rivals for Edna's affection, with Alcée representing physical passion and Robert representing idealized love. ### [Victor Lebrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/victor_lebrun) _family_ Victor is Robert's younger, more carefree brother, and their relationship is marked by sibling teasing and shared family business. ### [Doctor Mandelet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/doctor_mandelet) _social_ Doctor Mandelet and Robert have a cordial, respectful acquaintance through their shared connection to Edna and Grand Isle society. ### [Edna Pontellier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/edna_pontellier) _romantic_ Edna's intense romantic obsession with Robert drives her awakening, but his conventional fears ultimately lead to her despair. ### [Edna Pontellier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/edna_pontellier) _romantic_ Edna's intense romantic obsession with Robert drives her awakening, but his conventional fears ultimately lead to her despair. ### [Adèle Ratignolle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/adele_ratignolle) _friendship_ Adèle and Robert share a warm, platonic friendship rooted in their Creole social circle and mutual concern for Edna. ### [Victor Lebrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/victor_lebrun) _family_ Victor is Robert's younger, more carefree brother, and their relationship is marked by sibling teasing and shared family business. ### [Mademoiselle Reisz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/mademoiselle_reisz) _friendship_ Mademoiselle Reisz acts as a confidante to Robert, knowing his feelings for Edna and teasing him about them. ### [Mademoiselle Reisz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/mademoiselle_reisz) _friendship_ Mademoiselle Reisz acts as a confidante to Robert, knowing his feelings for Edna and teasing him about them. ## In the story ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/i) Accompanies Edna from the beach; prefers to stay and talk with her rather than join Mr. Pontellier at billiards. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/ii) Young, clean-shaven, and carefree. He smokes cigarettes, talks about his plans to go to Mexico, and plays with the Pontellier children. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/iv) Robert is present during the sewing scene and entertains married women with droll stories; he checks himself when Edna blushes. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/v) Devotes himself to Edna, recounts his past flirtation with Adèle, watches Edna sketch, and insists she join him for a swim. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/vi) Edna wishes to go to the beach with Robert, but she first declines then follows him due to contradictory impulses. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/vii) Searches for the women with a troop of children; later escorts Adèle back to the house. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/viii) Walks with Adèle Ratignolle, becomes defensive when warned about Edna, later apologizes and brings her bouillon. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/ix) Suggests a moonlit bath and persuades Mademoiselle Reisz to play for Edna, showing his attentiveness to her. ### [The Awakening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/x) Proposes the swim, lingers behind with the lovers, walks Edna home, and stays with her in the hammock, sharing a significant silence. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xii) Responds to Edna's summons with a quiet glow; plans future excursions with her. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xiii) Accompanies Edna from church, cares for her, forages food, and spends the afternoon with her under the orange trees. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xiv) Helps Edna put Etienne to bed, bids her good night, and walks alone toward the Gulf. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xv) Robert announces his departure for Mexico, appears embarrassed and uneasy, and says a brief goodbye to Edna. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xviii) Edna is obsessed with thoughts of him, feeling an incomprehensible longing for his existence. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned through his letters from Mexico, which Victor recites. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxi) Writes a letter to Mademoiselle Reisz from Mexico, filled with inquiries about Edna. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxv) Robert is on Edna's mind after Arobin's kiss; she wonders what he would think, revealing her emotional attachment to him. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxvi) Robert is the subject of Edna's confessed love; his letter announces he is coming back 'very soon.' ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxviii) His reproach is felt through Edna's awakened love for him, which is fiercer and more overpowering. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxiii) Returns from Mexico; visits Mademoiselle Reisz's apartment; has an awkward reunion with Edna. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxiv) Dines with Edna, relates his sojourn in Mexico, and reveals a tobacco pouch given by a Vera Cruz girl, then leaves abruptly. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxv) Does not visit Edna for several days, causing her keen disappointment; Edna imagines his daily activities. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxvi) Meets Edna at the café; reveals his long-held love and his struggle against it due to her marriage. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxviii) Leaves a farewell note for Edna saying 'I love you. Goodbye—because I love you.' ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/chapters/xxxix) Edna thinks of him and recalls his farewell; she realizes he will eventually fade from her memory. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters/robert_lebrun - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_awakening_se/characters