There was a growing rift between her husband, Leonce Pontellier, and Edna, exemplified by his inferior view of her and her place in society that was espoused in his scolding that she is not a good enough mother (Chap 3) and the lack of time he spends with his family, due to his business pursuits, which have a higher value than his wife
The growing intensity and intimacy of her relationship with Robert, the careless and young son of Madame Lebrun is the catalyst of her mental, emotional and sexual awakening. The relationship is regarded as within the Creole social convention of an adoring young man expressing his love for a married woman, who remains faithful and chaste. The relationship, however, strays off its set parameters as it.
effectively unleashed a wide range of emotions that Edna had previously not experienced--jealously, passion, true and loving interaction. Returning to her imprisoned life after the summer, Edna becomes increasingly defiant and subsequently consciously disconnected to the social conventions of Victorian society, in thought and, more importantly, in deed. .
In Victorian society, the ideal woman was "always unobtrusive, never talks loudly, or laughs boisterously, or does anything to attract the attention of the passers-by."" Edna acts conversely to this, beginning in her gradual repudiation of the "though limited "practices and responsibilities ascribed to the Victorian lady. In Chapter 15, Edna reveals to Mademoiselle Reiz that she will never sacrifice herself for anyone, not exempting even her children. This is a strong repudiation of the maternal duties of the Victorian woman, whose domesticity is ultimately associated with supervising and attending to the children. Refusing to await the random callers that arrive on Tuesdays, Edna signifies that she is completely apprehensive about continuing her previous lifestyle that revolves around pointless social conventions.
