| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Edna | acknowledges her sexual desires, but also has the strength and courage to act on them |
| Edna | she discovers her own identity independent of her husband and children |
| Edna | her independence frequently amounts to selfishness |
| Mademoiselle Reisz | an inspiration to Edna throughout the book |
| Mademoiselle Reisz | Edna is really touched by her music |
| Mademoiselle Reisz | plays the piano as a form of self expression |
| Mademoiselle Reisz | the only one to whom Robert speaks of his love for Edna. |
| Adele Ratignolle | A foil for Mademoiselle Reisz |
| Adele Ratignolle | spends her days caring for her children, performing her domestic duties, and ensuring the happiness of her husband |
| Adele Ratignolle | a static character—she shows no change or growth from the beginning of the novel to its end |
| Robert Lebrun | remains away in Mexico for much of Edna's awakening, but plays an invaluable role in its beginning and end. |
| Robert Lebrun | for several summers, he has devoted himself to women at Grand Isle, showering them with affections rooted in admiration but lacking serious intent. |
| Robert Lebrun | Edna sees in him a promise of the love and excitement that have been missing from her life since she married Léonce. |
| Robert Lebrun | when he 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 |
| Alcee Arobin | The seductive, charming, and forthright towards Edna |
| Alcee Arobin | enjoys making conquests out of married women, and he becomes Edna's lover while her husband is on a business trip to New York |
| Alcee Arobin | satisfies Edna's physical urges while Robert is in Mexico |
| Leonce Pontellier | a forty-year-old, wealthy New Orleans businessman, is Edna's husband |
| Leonce Pontellier | spends little time with Edna or his sons because he is often away on business or with his friends |
| Leonce Pontellier | treats Edna with love and kindness, but their relationship lacks passion and excitement, and he knows very little of his wife's true feelings and emotions. |
| Doctor Mandelet | Léonce and Edna's family physician |
| Doctor Mandelet | Léonce consults with him about Edna's unconventional behavior |
| Doctor Mandelet | suspects that Edna is in love with another man, but keeps his suspicions to himself |
| Doctor Mandelet | offers Edna his help and understanding and is worried about the possible consequences of her defiance and independence |
| The Colonel | Edna's father, former Confederate officer in the Civil War |
| The Colonel | strict Protestant and believes that husbands should manage their wives with authority and coercion |
| Victor Lebrun | Robert's wayward younger brother |
| Victor Lebrun | spends his time chasing women and refuses to settle down into a profession. |
| Madame Lebrun | widowed mother of Victor and Robert |
| Madame Lebrun | owns and manages the cottages on Grand Isle where the novel's characters spend their summer vacations. |
| The Farival Twins | fourteen-year-old girls who vacation at Grand Isle with their family and who frequently entertain their fellow guests by playing the piano |
| The Farival Twins | represent the destiny of adolescent Victorian girls: chaste motherhood |
| Janet Pontellier | Edna's younger sister. Edna refuses to attend her wedding. |
| Margaret Pontellier | Edna's older sister. |
| Margaret Pontellier | When their mother dies, she takes over the role of a mother |
| Mariequita | a young, pretty Spanish girl, she is a mischievous flirt who lives on Grand Isle |
| Mariequita | seems to fancy both Robert and Victor Lebrun and, along with Adèle, is the picture of the self-demeaning coquetry that Edna avoids |
| Etienne & Raoul | Edna and Leonce's two sons |
| Edna | when she swims for the first time, she discovers her own strength |
| Edna | through her pursuit of her painting she is reminded of the pleasure of individual creation |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace