Edna Pontellier - Edna is the protagonist of the novel “The Awakening”. The twenty eight year
old is the wife of a New Orleans businessman Léonce Pontellier. Edna suddenly finds herself
dissatisfied with her marriage and the motherly, matronly, and conservative lifestyle that follows.
She discovers her own identity and acts on her desires for emotional satisfaction, through a
collection of experiences, or “awakenings”. Unlike the other women around her, she doesn’t
have a motherly instinct or spirit to sacrifice herself for her husband, children, or household. She
has a rebellious, free, somewhat selfish spirit. Her rebellion seems motivated more by her self-
centered desire to fulfill her wishes than to battle for a greater …show more content…
She only looks out for herself.
Only at the end of the novel, does she consider the effect of her actions on her sons and others.
I somewhat identify with this character because I believe in empowering women to follow their
dreams, not to just be a mother figure. I believe that women shouldn’t be confined to one role,
women are equal to men, therefore should be able to strive for success just as men can. I also
identify with Edna because I don’t have a motherly of affectionate instinct either, in fact I do not
plan on having children in the future. However, Edna does not think about things before she does
them. She doesn’t care how it will affect others, she only cares for her own selfish needs and
desires. I try to consider how my actions will affect others around me before I act on something
serious.
Mademoiselle Reisz - Mademoiselle Reisz may be the most influential character in Edna’s
awakening. She is not married and doesn’t have any children, and she devotes her life to her
music. As a talented pianist, she represents independence and freedom and serves
as a kind of role model for Edna. When Edna begins to find her independence, she
old is the wife of a New Orleans businessman Léonce Pontellier. Edna suddenly finds herself
dissatisfied with her marriage and the motherly, matronly, and conservative lifestyle that follows.
She discovers her own identity and acts on her desires for emotional satisfaction, through a
collection of experiences, or “awakenings”. Unlike the other women around her, she doesn’t
have a motherly instinct or spirit to sacrifice herself for her husband, children, or household. She
has a rebellious, free, somewhat selfish spirit. Her rebellion seems motivated more by her self-
centered desire to fulfill her wishes than to battle for a greater …show more content…
She only looks out for herself.
Only at the end of the novel, does she consider the effect of her actions on her sons and others.
I somewhat identify with this character because I believe in empowering women to follow their
dreams, not to just be a mother figure. I believe that women shouldn’t be confined to one role,
women are equal to men, therefore should be able to strive for success just as men can. I also
identify with Edna because I don’t have a motherly of affectionate instinct either, in fact I do not
plan on having children in the future. However, Edna does not think about things before she does
them. She doesn’t care how it will affect others, she only cares for her own selfish needs and
desires. I try to consider how my actions will affect others around me before I act on something
serious.
Mademoiselle Reisz - Mademoiselle Reisz may be the most influential character in Edna’s
awakening. She is not married and doesn’t have any children, and she devotes her life to her
music. As a talented pianist, she represents independence and freedom and serves
as a kind of role model for Edna. When Edna begins to find her independence, she