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The Awakening - Characters - Coggle Diagram
The Awakening - Characters
Edna Pontellier
Protagonist.
Goes through a spiritual + sexual + artistic awakening - realises that she is dissatisfied with her marriage + the limited, conservative lifestyle that has been forced upon her.
Emerges from a semi-conscious state of a devoted wife + mother to a state of total awareness.
Becomes aware of the dangers of her infatuations + how they limit her quest for freedom - no one is able to understand her desires - ultimately leads to her solitary state where the only option is suicide.
Discovers her own identity + acts on her desires for both sexual + emotional satisfaction.
Becomes shockingly independent (for the time period) + is attentive to only her urges + passions.
Leonce Pontellier
Wealthy New Orleans business man + Edna's husband.
Spends very little time with Edna + their two sons - often away on business with their friends - sends them presents to keep up the look of a perfect marriage.
Embodiment of the Victorian man - care for reputation + social appearance - wishes Edna to continue in a society / role / practice she does not fit.
Relationship w/ Edna lacks passion + excitement - he knows very little of her true feelings + emotions - relationship revealed to be a product of Edna's desire to rebel against her father.
Mademoiselle Reisz
Most influential character in Edna's actual awakening - unmarried + childless - devoted her life to her passions as Edna intends to.
Represents independence + freedom - serves as a muse for Edna - as Edna begins to pursue personal independent, she seeks RM out.
Foreshadows Edna's fall - if she wishes to be free she must be strong enough.
Edna's true confidante - only one to know of her relationship with Robert.
Adele Ratignolle
Epitomises the conventional + social acceptable woman of the 19th century - 'The Angel of the House'
Foil character to Edna - idolises the children + worships her husband.
Lifestyle + attitude contrast to Edna's growing independence.
Unwittingly acts as a catalyst to facilitate Edna's journey - free discourse + nature - changes Edna from former reserved + introverted nature.
Robert Lebrun
Readers question the reality of his attraction to Edna throughout.
The man Edna falls in love with - they both suffer due to their separation, but he has a history of becoming the devoted attendant to different women each summer at Grand Isle.
Offers affections in over-exaggerated + comedic manner - never taken seriously - as his relationship with Edna becomes more complex + intimate - he realises that he has genuinely fallen in love with Edna.
Torn from Edna because of his fear that both of their reputations could be ruined by their relationship.