How are Mademoiselle Reisz and Adele Ratignolle foils to Edna?

In contrast to Adele Ratignolle, Mademoiselle Reisz offers Edna an alternative to the role of being yet another mother-woman. Mademoiselle Reisz has in abundance the autonomy that Adele completely lacks. Although she has a secure sense of her own individuality and autonomy, her life lacks love, friendship, or warmth.

What is Edna’s reaction to Mademoiselle Reisz’s music?

Edna is deeply shaken by Mademoiselle Reisz’s performance, experiencing viscerally the emotions of the piece. Mademoiselle Reisz is pleased by Edna’s involved, tearful response. Then, at Robert’s suggestion, everyone sets out for a late-night swim.

Who is Robert Lebrun and what is his relationship with Edna?

Robert Lebrun is the twenty-six-year-old single man with whom Edna falls in love. Dramatic and passionate, he has a history of becoming the devoted attendant to a different woman each summer at Grand Isle. Robert offers his affections comically and in an over-exaggerated manner, and thus is never taken seriously.

What is significant about the description of Mademoiselle Reisz’s apartment?

What is significant about the description of Mademoiselle Reisz’s apartment? She lives on the top floor of apartments to “discourage the approach of beggars, peddlers and callers”. Her out-of-the-way living style signifies her independence from ordinary life and distractions.

What happens when Edna visits Mademoiselle Reisz?

During one of her spells of depression, Edna decides to pay Mademoiselle Reisz a visit in order to listen to her play the piano. Finding that the woman has moved, Edna visits Madame Lebrun in search of Mademoiselle Reisz’s new address. Robert’s brother Victor answers the door and sends the servant to fetch his mother.

Why does Edna visit Mademoiselle?

Why does Edna visit Mademoiselle Reisz? It “quiets the turmoil of Edna’s senses”. Her visits to Mademoiselle Reisz seem to “reach Edna’s spirit and set it free.

Do Edna and Alcee sleep together?

Does Edna Pontellier really have sex with Alcée Arobin? A: Yes. The text shows that Edna and Alcée have sex in the house on Esplanade Street (in Chapter 27), after the party when they go to the pigeon-house (in Chapter 31) and, apparently, in Chapter 35.

Why did Edna kill herself?

Edna commits suicide because she realizes that there is no place in this world for a woman who asserts her erotic needs and her independence from society.

What does Edna say to Robert when she wakes up?

Explain the allusion when Edna remarks that they have spent the entire day together and Robert responds, “All but the hundred years when you were sleeping”. The line alludes to the story of Sleeping Beauty. The Awakening is her, well, waking up from her trance and realizing who she is and what she wants.

What doesn’t Edna realize about herself?

What doesn’t Edna realize about herself? Edna realizes that she is now different than her past self, but she does not yet realize that she is now seeing the world through “different eyes” and becoming accustomed to “new conditions in herself” that are changing her perception of the world.

What is the probable cause of Edna’s physical and emotional distress during the service?

What thoughts has Edna had about her husband and her children? The physical cause of Edna’s distress during the service probably resulted from the “stifling atmosphere of the church.” (40) However, the emotional cause of her distress is her mounting feelings of passion for Robert while she is a married woman.

How does Edna spend much of her time after Robert leaves Why is this significant?

How for Edna spend much of her time after Robert leaves? Why is this significant? She tries to find him in different objects, pictures and places. It shows Edna’s growing affection towards Robert.

What does Edna’s conversation with Dr Mandelet reveal about the doctor?

What does Adéle mean when she begs Edna to “think of the children”? What does Edna’s conversation with Dr. Mandelet reveal about the Doctor? Edna realizes that just because Léonce and the children were a part of her, she no longer had to give them the authority over her.

How does Mr Pontellier feel about Edna?

Mr. Pontellier certainly treats Edna well, but in the same way that you treat your dog well. You pamper it and give it treats, but at the end of the day, you expect it to behave and turn tricks. The sex in their marriage also isn’t very inspiring.

Why are so many husbands and fathers present at Grand Isle?

Why are so many husbands and fathers present at Grand Isle? All the husbands and fathers are coming back from work on the mainland because it is the weekend, and they are rejoining their families on vacation. 2. Mademoiselle Reisz is introduced as a character.

What reason does Robert give when he decides to leave Grand Isle for Mexico?

When Robert recognizes the intensity of his feelings for Edna, he decides to go to Mexico because he cannot bear to be near Edna and know that he may never act on his love.

What excuse does Edna offer for not attending her sister’s wedding Why is this significant?

What excuse does Edna offer for not attending her sister’s wedding? Why is this significant? Edna had not offered an excuse. Edna had grown up in a very strict environment with her father, who dominated her 3 sisters and her mother; her standing up to her father is a major achievement for her independence.

What is a mother woman in the awakening?

Adele Ratignolle is the epitome of the male-defined wife and mother. She is a “mother-woman.” “[The mother-women] were women who idolized their children, worshipped their husbands and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels” (Chopin 10).

What does Edna realize about her life?

What does Edna come to realize about her “position in the universe”? She begins to realize that her value as an individual and how she actually matters, and how her opinion has weight. She has a lot of wisdom for a young woman of 28. Everyone can overcome their tangled beginning, and Edna is starting to realize that.

What is Edna’s awakening?

What seems to begin Edna’s awakening is the rediscovery of her artistic inclinations and talents. Art, in “The Awakening,” becomes a symbol of freedom and of failure. While attempting to become an artist, Edna reaches the first peak of her awakening. She begins to view the world in artistic terms.