Dinner Table Tales

The concerned husband that Mr. Pontellier is seeks medical help for his wife. He believes something is wrong with her, there must be, her behavior is very odd for a women. Mr. Pontellier requests an old friend, Dr. Mandelet to come visit his home and evaluate Edna during dinner one evening. The doctor agrees to, and dinner time stories are told. Mr. Mandelet tells the story of, “… the waning of a woman’s love, seeking strange, new channels, only to return to its legitimate source after days of fierce unrest.” (Chopin 95) Although the doctor doesn’t come out and say it, he is telling the story of Edna. Edna seeks a new kind of love from Robert, just like the woman in the story. This doctor’s story also shows some foreshadowing that Edna will cheat but eventually wish to return to her husband after all. From Dr. Mandelet’s tale brings about Edna’s story. Edna’s story tells of “… a woman who paddled away with her lover one night in a pirogue and never came back.” (Chopin 95). Edna’s story tells of a different ending where the woman never returns. This could also be showing what Edna believes she is going to do with Robert.  These simple dinner time stories tell more than what is simply superficial.