The Awakening Post #3

Mrs. and Mr. Pontellier have two sons, Etienne and Raoul. They are ages four and five. They are very well behaved, respectful children. Edna does love them but only because she has to. She seems to not like the responsibility of being a mother. I believe that her children are a constant reminder of her husband, Leonce. In the beginning of the novel, the author explains the terrible marriage that the Pontellier's have. Edna and Leonce do not seem to care what the other does with their life. They do not bond or spend time with each other at all. They do not even seem like a family. It is sad because their children are affected greatly by this. They do not receive a lot of attention and are left in the care of their nanny most of the time. "Their absence was a sort of relief, though she did not admit this, even to herself. It seemed to free her of a responsibility which she had blindly assumed and for which fate had not fitted her." (Chopin 30) This quote confirms that she is not a good mother and does not really care for her children even if she hates to admit it.