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I need help on how to write a research paper on Edna Pontellier from The Awakening and her relationships with the three men.

I'll be glad to help you! First of all, you already have something of a ready-made structure for your paper, because you can devote a section to your introduction, a section each to the three male characters and Edna's relationship to them, and a conclusion section.

My advice to you would be to consider each character and use index cards to jot down notes about them, one note per character per index card. You can spread these around on a table or on the floor as you start to organize your outline.

Next, I recommend that you jot down the themes of the novel, one theme per index card. Spread these out as well.

You can then shuffle the cards around and see where common threads appear. This process will help you develop a thesis statement for your paper.

Good luck, and enjoy the process!

Since you have put "research paper" as your assignment, you may need to learn about the history of the French Quarter in New Orleans and the Creole culture.  For, it is in this environment that Edna Pontellier feels confined.  Her husband, afterall, is a typical Creole gentleman who expects Edna to be devoted to him, their children, and their social obligations.  Also, Dr. Mandelet is typical as he will not overstep Creole boundaries to mention anything to Leonce Pontellier, Edna's husband.

Thus, within this background of Creole culture conflicts occur.  One such conflict exists while Leonce Pontellier is unconcerned about Edna's changes, simply viewing them as passing moods or temporary insanity. So, since the setting of this novel is intrinsic to an understanding of the problems of Edna Pontellier, you may wish to familiarize your reader with the background information necessary.

You may also wish to read criticisms on this novel and include some insights from these in your analysis of Edna.  One such criticism is listed below; in this criticism there is mention of "The Awakening" as an American "Madame Bovary" among other interesting observations.

"Bon courage!" as the French say.