The Awakening
(Kate Chopin)

Edna Pontellier

Edna is a young, twenty-eight year old American woman who is married to Leonce Pontellier and is the mother to two boys- Raoul and Etienne. Having grown up in Kentucky and then Mississippi, she is unfamiliar with the Creole culture to which her husband belongs. She married Leonce after a short romance and though appreciates his kindness and affection, does not love him or her children.

She takes steps towards self-realization that starts with an infatuation with Robert and begins to individualize herself from her family life in ways that make most all around her worried. Despite the joy that she feels in her independence, she also realizes that circumstances are built to weigh her down- a truth she must reconcile with herself.

Leonce Pontellier

A Creole man forty years of age, Leonce fell in love with Edna soon after meeting her. He treats her and his children like most things in his life- objects to be admired and evaluated for their value. Leonce expects all things in his life to go according to a particular plan and is deeply troubled by Edna’s changing behavior.

Robert Lebrun

Robert is the twenty-six year old son of Madame Lebrun- the proprietor of the resort on Grand Isle- and the older brother of Victor Lebrun. Robert has a reputation amongst the resort’s vacationers of finding himself infatuated with a new woman every summer- often a married one. This summer, Edna Pontellier become the object of his obsession and inadvertently helps her reach self-realization.

Adele Ratignolle

Adele Ratignolle is considered the epitome of Creole femininity amongst the Grand Isle vacationers- not only in beauty, but in her matronly demeanor, as well. She spends much of her time with Edna as she is fond of her. She serves to remind Edna of the world that opposes her choices to be an independent woman.

Mademoiselle Reisz

Reisz is the counter to Adele. She is unattractive, old, unfriendly, and childless, but also independent, intelligent, and extremely talented. Whereas Adele dabbles in piano playing, Reisz is a master at the art. She serves to both encourage Edna and warn her of the dangers of being an independent woman.