The Awakening: Chapters 1-4

Chapters 1-4
1. What main character opens the book?
2. Why does Chopin open the book with him?
3. Why do you think Chopin portrays Robert as so young both in years and socially?
The beginning of “The Awakening” introduced Edna’s and Mr. Pontellier’s relationship as both placid and full of blissful ignorance. Edna and Mr. Pontellier fulfill each others needs, offer each other polite conversation, and make a seemingly decent family. When Mr. Pontellier wants to go to Klein’s instead of be with the family, Edna does not protest and doesn’t even seem to really mind. When Mr. Pontellier gives Edna money she seems truly happy, exclaiming about buying presents for a friend.
The reader can interpret many things from this section. First, everyone, including Edna, honestly believes Mr. Pontellier’s behavior is not only perfectly fine but the norm. Edna doesn’t expect nor want him to stay and hang out with her and the kids. Everyone expects “the men” to run off and go play poker and drink while the women sit at home, raise the children, and do womanly things. One pivotal point in the book is in Chapter 3 when Edna cries. Edna does not know why she is crying or why she feels the way she feels. This is Chopin’s foreshadowing of Edna’s “Awakening.”