The Awakening

One day in November, when Edna feels especially discouraged, she decides to go to Mademoiselle Reisz’s house. Edna wants to listen to the woman play, hoping that the music will lift her spirits. When Edna reaches Mademoiselle Reisz’s house, she finds out that Reisz no longer lives there. Determined to find her new address, she heads to the Lebruns’ house.

She is greeted by Victor, Robert’s brother. While they are waiting for Madame Lebrun, Victor tells Edna a story about his dalliances the previous evening, which Edna finds very entertaining. Madame Lebrun appears, complaining about how boring life in New Orleans is and how few people she sees these days. Victor shares with Edna what Robert has written in the two letters he had sent them from Mexico. Edna is upset to find out that Robert did not leave a message for her. She asks about Mademoiselle Reisz and acquires her new address from Madam Lebrun. After Edna had gone to visit Mademoiselle Reisz, Madame Lebrun and Victor share their observations about how Edna has become even more gorgeous, and Victor concludes that in some ways, “she doesn’t seem like the same woman” (159).