Exposition
Chapters 1-5:
Edna and Léonce start off summering at Grande Isle off the coast of Louisiana. This is where Edna meets Robert Lebrun, Madame Ratignolle, Mademoiselle Reisz, and the rest of the Creoles. She first gets befriended by Robert who shows a special interest in her.
Edna and Léonce start off summering at Grande Isle off the coast of Louisiana. This is where Edna meets Robert Lebrun, Madame Ratignolle, Mademoiselle Reisz, and the rest of the Creoles. She first gets befriended by Robert who shows a special interest in her.
Rising Action
Chapters 6-32: Edna starts to realize her place in the universe as a human being; the relations with the world in and around her. She finally finds the strength to stand up to her husband one night as she lay peacefully in the hammock outside their cabin and refuses to go inside upon her husband, Léonce's wishes. After this surge of power runs through her, she starts enjoying Robert's company more each day until he leaves for Mexico to find work. This hurts Edna because she feels like Robert is just another crush that will slowly fade away and soon become lost.
Edna realizes she's a different person after this summer of vacationing with these people. When she returns to New Orleans, she feels hopeless. She has what some would call an outburst as she fights the feelings fighting each other inside of her. Her husbands constant obsession with their reputation tips her off the edge. She's so fed up that she throws her wedding ring on the floor and breaks a vase as well. Soon after, Edna visits Madame Ratignolle who is happily married to show her some of her best art. She leaves knowing the married life doesn't suit her and never will, even a happy marriage.
Edna starts visiting Mademoiselle Reisz, whom Robert has been writing to from Mexico. Edna persuades M.Reisz to let her read one of the letters from Robert, which makes her break down into tears as M.Reisz plays a beautiful piece on the piano. Léonce starts noticing the way Edna has been acting and goes to their trusted doctor and friend to relay the information. He suggests Léonce give Edna her space to sort through the chaos on her own. Léonce leaves for an extended business trip to New York and sends the kids to their grandparents house, which gives Edna the freedom to keep pushing away from the life she's so unhappy with.
Edna starts spending time with Alcée Arobin at the racetrack and one day ends up having dinner with him at her house. One thing leads to another, and he ends up kissing her hand which makes her feel guilty for being unfaithful to Robert, forget Léonce. Alcée emotionally apologizes which Edna feels is much too serious for the situation. She takes it lightly and starts hanging out with him every day, getting closer and closer. At one of her visits with M.Reisz, Edna unloads on her that she plans to move out of their house into a smaller one down the street, and after reading the latest letter from Robert promising his return, admits that she loves him. Still ecstatic about Robert's return, Edna gets a visit from Alcée which turns into the most sexual kiss Edna has ever experienced, only to regret it wasn't with Robert. On her 29th birthday, Edna hosts a dinner party only to endure missing Robert all throughout the dinner. Alcée is the last to leave the party and ends up in bed with Edna that night.
As Léonce receives the news of Edna moving out, he is strictly worried about his reputation and quickly gets a construction project started on the house to explain Edna's moving out to the rest of society. Edna spends a whole week playing with her children out in the country. After the week, she regrets leaving them only to make it back home and have the guilt fade away into the happiness and freedom that solidarity brings her. Once Edna is back in town she visits Madame Ratignolle who informs Edna of the gossip she's been hearing about her and Alcée. Then she goes to visit M.Reisz only to find Robert, who had returned two days prior.
Edna realizes she's a different person after this summer of vacationing with these people. When she returns to New Orleans, she feels hopeless. She has what some would call an outburst as she fights the feelings fighting each other inside of her. Her husbands constant obsession with their reputation tips her off the edge. She's so fed up that she throws her wedding ring on the floor and breaks a vase as well. Soon after, Edna visits Madame Ratignolle who is happily married to show her some of her best art. She leaves knowing the married life doesn't suit her and never will, even a happy marriage.
Edna starts visiting Mademoiselle Reisz, whom Robert has been writing to from Mexico. Edna persuades M.Reisz to let her read one of the letters from Robert, which makes her break down into tears as M.Reisz plays a beautiful piece on the piano. Léonce starts noticing the way Edna has been acting and goes to their trusted doctor and friend to relay the information. He suggests Léonce give Edna her space to sort through the chaos on her own. Léonce leaves for an extended business trip to New York and sends the kids to their grandparents house, which gives Edna the freedom to keep pushing away from the life she's so unhappy with.
Edna starts spending time with Alcée Arobin at the racetrack and one day ends up having dinner with him at her house. One thing leads to another, and he ends up kissing her hand which makes her feel guilty for being unfaithful to Robert, forget Léonce. Alcée emotionally apologizes which Edna feels is much too serious for the situation. She takes it lightly and starts hanging out with him every day, getting closer and closer. At one of her visits with M.Reisz, Edna unloads on her that she plans to move out of their house into a smaller one down the street, and after reading the latest letter from Robert promising his return, admits that she loves him. Still ecstatic about Robert's return, Edna gets a visit from Alcée which turns into the most sexual kiss Edna has ever experienced, only to regret it wasn't with Robert. On her 29th birthday, Edna hosts a dinner party only to endure missing Robert all throughout the dinner. Alcée is the last to leave the party and ends up in bed with Edna that night.
As Léonce receives the news of Edna moving out, he is strictly worried about his reputation and quickly gets a construction project started on the house to explain Edna's moving out to the rest of society. Edna spends a whole week playing with her children out in the country. After the week, she regrets leaving them only to make it back home and have the guilt fade away into the happiness and freedom that solidarity brings her. Once Edna is back in town she visits Madame Ratignolle who informs Edna of the gossip she's been hearing about her and Alcée. Then she goes to visit M.Reisz only to find Robert, who had returned two days prior.
Climax
Chapters 33-36:
Upon learning of Robert's return, Edna is hurt that it took them accidentally running into each other to see him again. Robert walks her home and finds a photo of Alcée, which she explains is just reference for her drawing of him. They discuss Mexico and finish their meal together before Alcée shows up which prompts Robert to leave. Edna sends Alcée away only to ponder over the last few hours with Robert, which leaves her disappointed. She wakes up the next day hopeful, only to be let down when Robert never shows. She is embarrassed and avoids any place she may see Robert as she continues her affair with Alcée.
A few days after, Edna runs into Robert at a café and confronts him. He defends himself and they go on to discuss less emotional matters as Robert walks her home. Once inside, Edna kisses him with no warning which opens him up enough to confess his love for her. She gets news that Madame Ratignolle is going into labor and before she leaves, makes Robert promise to stay until she returns.
Upon learning of Robert's return, Edna is hurt that it took them accidentally running into each other to see him again. Robert walks her home and finds a photo of Alcée, which she explains is just reference for her drawing of him. They discuss Mexico and finish their meal together before Alcée shows up which prompts Robert to leave. Edna sends Alcée away only to ponder over the last few hours with Robert, which leaves her disappointed. She wakes up the next day hopeful, only to be let down when Robert never shows. She is embarrassed and avoids any place she may see Robert as she continues her affair with Alcée.
A few days after, Edna runs into Robert at a café and confronts him. He defends himself and they go on to discuss less emotional matters as Robert walks her home. Once inside, Edna kisses him with no warning which opens him up enough to confess his love for her. She gets news that Madame Ratignolle is going into labor and before she leaves, makes Robert promise to stay until she returns.
Falling Action
Chapters 37 and 38:
After the child birthing process is over, Edna starts to leave and is reminded by M.Ratignolle to 'think of the children'. The doctor walks Edna home and insists on her sharing her feelings with him in exchange for compassionate advice. She denies, and makes it home where she and Robert will finally have their first night together. Except when she gets inside, Robert is no longer there and in his place is a goodbye note: "Goodbye, because I love you". She has a very hard sleeping that night.
After the child birthing process is over, Edna starts to leave and is reminded by M.Ratignolle to 'think of the children'. The doctor walks Edna home and insists on her sharing her feelings with him in exchange for compassionate advice. She denies, and makes it home where she and Robert will finally have their first night together. Except when she gets inside, Robert is no longer there and in his place is a goodbye note: "Goodbye, because I love you". She has a very hard sleeping that night.
Resolution
Chapter 39:
Edna ends up at Grande Isle, where it all started. She is offered a meal and a place to stay for the night and accepts. She requests a towel for her swim, and says she'll be back soon. Once on the beach, she changes into her bathing suit, then takes it off. She swims naked out into the sea, farther and farther with each stroke. She begins to weaken, and her last thoughts are of childhood memories and crushes that fade away until they are lost.
Edna ends up at Grande Isle, where it all started. She is offered a meal and a place to stay for the night and accepts. She requests a towel for her swim, and says she'll be back soon. Once on the beach, she changes into her bathing suit, then takes it off. She swims naked out into the sea, farther and farther with each stroke. She begins to weaken, and her last thoughts are of childhood memories and crushes that fade away until they are lost.