In the novel The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, Edna begins her awakening by first examining her relationship with her husband, Leonce. While Mr. Pontellier is a good provider for his family, he is first and foremost a businessman who seeks to uphold the traditional traditions of French-Creole society. Very concerned with social appearances, Leonce is unsympathetic to his wife Edna by demanding that she continue the subordinate practices expected of Creole women despite her distaste for them. Through his dealings with Edna, Chopin delineates Mr. Pontellier as a kind man who, while following his aspirations of being a successful businessman, selfishly neglects his wife by ignoring her true feelings and emotions and allowing the passion and excitement to fall from their relationship. .
Kate Chopin describes Leonce Pontellier's attitude toward his wife, Edna, as being very demeaning and unsympathetic. He is said to regard Edna as "a valuable piece of personal property." (Chopin 4) This idea can most clearly be seen during our first encounters with the married couple. After settling into their cottage, Mr. Pontellier tells his wife "you are burnt beyond recognition." While it may seem that he is concerned for his wife, the truth is that he wants her to maintain a remarkable appearance for the other French-Creoles to admire. Leonce wants to show off Edna's beauty, like one shows off a well kept house or polished automobile. Just as Mr. Pontellier "derived genuine pleasure from contemplating a panting, a statuette, a rare lace curtain," (Chopin 48) he also felt a sense of accomplishment in his acquiring a beautiful woman such as Edna. It is for this reason that he wanted to show his "prize" off by having Edna remain home every Tuesday afternoon, dressed in "handsome reception gowns," and receiving visitors. Leonce is extremely concerned with appearance, especially that of his wife Edna.