Chapter 1 Summary and Analysis
New Characters
Edna Pontellier: the protagonist of the novel; a 28-year-old married woman with children who yearns for more out of life; the novel is about her journey of discovery
Leonce Pontellier: Edna’s husband; by all accounts, a good man, but treats Edna like a possession rather than an equal
Madame Lebrun: the owner of the resort at Grand Isle where the Pontellier family spends their summers
Robert Lebrun: the 26-year-old son of Madame Lebrun; falls in love with Edna
The Farival Twins: two young guests at Grand Isle who play the piano for the entertainment of the other guests
Raoul and Etienne: the Pontellier’s two young children
...(The entire section is 558 words.)
