"Looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has suffered some damage."".
We become aware of Léonce Pontellier's attitude towards his wife Edna. He seems not concerned about Robert's attentive behavior towards her, because it is acceptable in the Creole society. He is more concerned about the fact that Edna is sun burnt, and may be damaged like any other piece of his property.
Journal Entry 2 December 3.
Chapter 3 page 13.
"He reproached his wife with her inattention, her habitual neglect of the children. If it was not a mother's place to look after children, whose on earth was it?- .
We can now understand the uneasy atmosphere between Edna and her husband. He accuses her of being inattentive towards their children. We see the source of Edna's discontent in that she is not a full partner in the marriage. Léonce regards her as a possession, and whose sphere of influence is limited to the children and supporting him. Edna has been allowed a certain amount of freedom in the form of swimming, but she is scolded for letting herself get sun burnt. He expects her to be a good mother, home-keeper, and hostess to his business associates when entertaining. .
Journal Entry 3 December 3.
Chapter 4 page 16 .
"The mother-women seemed to prevail that summer at Grand Isle. It was easy to know them, fluttering about with extended, protecting wings when any harm, real or imaginary, threatened their precious brood. They were women who idolized their children, worshipped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels."".
This quote shows us that Mrs. Pontellier does not devote all her energy to her husband and her children, and in Mr. Pontellier's eyes, this makes her an imperfect wife and mother. Their children are able to take care of themselves on a minute-by-minute basis, which indicates to him that she is occupying herself with other concerns and that constant child surveillance is not a wholly fulfilling occupation for her.
