Summary
The Hunt for Connection
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Edna embarks on a determined search for Mademoiselle Reisz, the eccentric pianist who represents artistic authenticity in her world. When she discovers that Mademoiselle Reisz has moved, Edna encounters a telling pattern: everyone who knows the woman actively dislikes her. The grocery store owner practically celebrates her departure, calling her the most disagreeable woman who ever lived on the street. This universal rejection only makes Edna more determined to find her. The chapter reveals how society treats those who refuse to conform—Mademoiselle Reisz is clearly someone who doesn't play by the rules, and she pays the price in isolation and hostility. Edna's persistence in seeking her out suggests she's drawn to this very nonconformity. At the Lebrun house, we see Edna navigating social dynamics with growing confidence. She observes the power struggles between Victor and the household staff, and finds herself amused by Victor's flirtations and boastful stories about his adventures in the city. There's a subtle shift in how she handles these interactions—she's less rigid, more willing to engage playfully. The mention of Robert's letters from Mexico creates a moment of disappointment when Edna realizes there's no special message for her. This reinforces her emotional distance from her conventional life and her growing need for something more meaningful. Her quest for Mademoiselle Reisz becomes symbolic of her search for authentic connection and artistic truth.
Coming Up in Chapter 21
Edna finally tracks down the elusive Mademoiselle Reisz in her new quarters. What she discovers about the pianist's living situation—and what Mademoiselle Reisz reveals about Robert—will challenge everything Edna thought she knew about her own desires.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
T was during such a mood that Edna hunted up Mademoiselle Reisz. She had not forgotten the rather disagreeable impression left upon her by their last interview; but she nevertheless felt a desire to see her—above all, to listen while she played upon the piano. Quite early in the afternoon she started upon her quest for the pianist. Unfortunately she had mislaid or lost Mademoiselle Reisz’s card, and looking up her address in the city directory, she found that the woman lived on Bienville Street, some distance away. The directory which fell into her hands was a year or more old, however, and upon reaching the number indicated, Edna discovered that the house was occupied by a respectable family of mulattoes who had _chambres garnies_ to let. They had been living there for six months, and knew absolutely nothing of a Mademoiselle Reisz. In fact, they knew nothing of any of their neighbors; their lodgers were all people of the highest distinction, they assured Edna. She did not linger to discuss class distinctions with Madame Pouponne, but hastened to a neighboring grocery store, feeling sure that Mademoiselle would have left her address with the proprietor. He knew Mademoiselle Reisz a good deal better than he wanted to know her, he informed his questioner. In truth, he did not want to know her at all, or anything concerning her—the most disagreeable and unpopular woman who ever lived in Bienville Street. He thanked heaven she had left the neighborhood, and was equally thankful that he did not know where she had gone. Edna’s desire to see Mademoiselle Reisz had increased tenfold since these unlooked-for obstacles had arisen to thwart it. She was wondering who could give her the information she sought, when it suddenly occurred to her that Madame Lebrun would be the one most likely to do so. She knew it was useless to ask Madame Ratignolle, who was on the most distant terms with the musician, and preferred to know nothing concerning her. She had once been almost as emphatic in expressing herself upon the subject as the corner grocer. Edna knew that Madame Lebrun had returned to the city, for it was the middle of November. And she also knew where the Lebruns lived, on Chartres Street. Their home from the outside looked like a prison, with iron bars before the door and lower windows. The iron bars were a relic of the old _régime_, and no one had ever thought of dislodging them. At the side was a high fence enclosing the garden. A gate or door opening upon the street was locked. Edna rang the bell at this side garden gate, and stood upon the banquette, waiting to be admitted. It was Victor who opened the gate for her. A black woman, wiping her hands upon her apron, was close at his heels. Before she saw them Edna could hear them in altercation, the woman—plainly an anomaly—claiming the right to be allowed to perform her duties, one...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Authentic Connection
Society systematically rejects authentic people, but seeking them out becomes essential when you're ready to break free from conformity.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify people who've been rejected by the group for speaking uncomfortable truths rather than for genuine character flaws.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when everyone agrees that someone is 'difficult'—then ask yourself what they're actually being difficult about and whether that difficulty serves a purpose.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
chambres garnies
Furnished rooms rented out by families to make extra income, common in 19th century New Orleans. These were respectable boarding arrangements, often in people's own homes.
Modern Usage:
Like renting out a spare bedroom on Airbnb or having a roommate to help with the mortgage.
mulattoes
A 19th century term for people of mixed Black and white ancestry. In New Orleans's complex racial hierarchy, this group often occupied a middle social position.
Modern Usage:
Shows how society has always created complicated categories around race and social status.
class distinctions
The social barriers between different economic and social levels. In Chopin's time, these were rigid rules about who could associate with whom.
Modern Usage:
Still exists today in who gets invited to certain events, what neighborhoods people live in, or which schools their kids attend.
social outcast
Someone rejected by their community for not following expected behavior patterns. Mademoiselle Reisz represents this - she's disliked for being difficult and unconventional.
Modern Usage:
The person everyone at work avoids because they don't play office politics or the neighbor who doesn't follow social norms.
quest narrative
A story pattern where someone searches for something important, facing obstacles along the way. Edna's search for Mademoiselle Reisz follows this pattern.
Modern Usage:
Like any story where someone is determined to find answers - from detective shows to someone tracking down an old friend on social media.
artistic authenticity
Being true to your creative vision rather than doing what's popular or expected. Mademoiselle Reisz represents this - she plays what she wants, not what pleases people.
Modern Usage:
The musician who won't sell out, the artist who creates what they believe in rather than what gets likes on Instagram.
Characters in This Chapter
Edna Pontellier
Searching protagonist
Shows new determination and persistence in seeking out what she wants. Her quest for Mademoiselle Reisz reveals her growing need for authentic connection and artistic truth.
Modern Equivalent:
The person finally ready to find their real tribe, even if it means leaving their comfort zone
Mademoiselle Reisz
Elusive mentor figure
Though absent, her reputation as universally disliked reveals the price of nonconformity. Everyone's negative reaction to her only makes Edna more determined to find her.
Modern Equivalent:
The difficult but brilliant teacher everyone warns you about but who might actually change your life
Madame Pouponne
Social gatekeeper
Represents respectable society's concern with class distinctions and proper appearances. She's quick to emphasize her lodgers are 'of the highest distinction.'
Modern Equivalent:
The HOA president who's always concerned about property values and what the neighbors think
The grocery store proprietor
Community voice
His strong negative reaction to Mademoiselle Reisz shows how society punishes those who don't conform. He practically celebrates her departure from the neighborhood.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who gossips about the 'difficult' neighbor and is relieved when they move away
Victor Lebrun
Youthful distraction
Provides contrast to Edna's serious quest with his playful flirtations and boastful stories. Shows Edna's growing ability to engage more freely with others.
Modern Equivalent:
The charming younger guy who's fun to talk to but not someone you'd take seriously
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He knew Mademoiselle Reisz a good deal better than he wanted to know her, he informed his questioner."
Context: The grocery store owner's response when Edna asks about Mademoiselle Reisz's whereabouts
Shows how society reacts to difficult, unconventional people. The grocer's exaggerated distaste reveals that Mademoiselle Reisz refuses to play by social rules, making her a pariah.
In Today's Words:
Oh her? Yeah, I know her way better than I ever wanted to - she's a piece of work.
"the most disagreeable and unpopular woman who ever lived in Bienville Street"
Context: His description of Mademoiselle Reisz when explaining why he's glad she moved away
This extreme language reveals the price of artistic authenticity and nonconformity. The more everyone dislikes her, the more Edna is drawn to find her.
In Today's Words:
She was absolutely the worst - nobody could stand her.
"She did not linger to discuss class distinctions with Madame Pouponne"
Context: Edna's reaction when the landlady starts talking about her high-class tenants
Shows Edna's growing impatience with social pretensions and her single-minded focus on her quest. She's beyond caring about these social games.
In Today's Words:
She wasn't about to get into a conversation about who's better than who.
Thematic Threads
Authenticity
In This Chapter
Mademoiselle Reisz is universally disliked for being genuine and uncompromising, yet Edna seeks her out
Development
Building from earlier hints about artistic truth versus social performance
In Your Life:
You might find yourself drawn to the colleague everyone calls difficult but who actually speaks truth to power
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The community's unanimous rejection of anyone who doesn't conform to acceptable behavior
Development
Deepening from previous chapters showing how society punishes nonconformity
In Your Life:
You see this when family members get ostracized for refusing to enable toxic dynamics
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Edna's growing confidence in social situations and willingness to engage playfully with Victor
Development
Continuing her evolution from rigid social compliance to more natural self-expression
In Your Life:
You might notice yourself becoming more comfortable being genuine in conversations instead of performing a role
Identity
In This Chapter
Edna's disappointment at no special message from Robert reveals her need for meaningful connection
Development
Her emotional needs becoming clearer as she distances from conventional expectations
In Your Life:
You recognize when surface-level relationships no longer satisfy your need for deeper understanding
Class
In This Chapter
The power dynamics between Victor and the household staff that Edna observes with new awareness
Development
Her growing ability to see and analyze social hierarchies rather than just accepting them
In Your Life:
You start noticing how workplace hierarchies affect daily interactions and decision-making
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does everyone in the neighborhood dislike Mademoiselle Reisz so intensely, and how does Edna react to hearing these negative opinions?
analysis • surface - 2
What does the universal rejection of Mademoiselle Reisz reveal about how society treats people who refuse to conform to social expectations?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace, family, or community. Who gets labeled as 'difficult' or 'disagreeable'? What are they actually challenging or refusing to go along with?
application • medium - 4
When you're seeking growth or change in your life, how do you decide whether to listen to popular opinion about someone or seek them out anyway?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between authenticity and social acceptance? Is it possible to be both genuine and well-liked?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Mademoiselle Reisz
Think of someone in your life who others consistently describe as difficult, disagreeable, or problematic. Write down what specific behaviors or attitudes make them unpopular. Then analyze: are they challenging real problems or just being genuinely difficult? What might you learn from them that others are missing?
Consider:
- •Separate the person's methods from their message - someone can be right about important things even if they're not diplomatic
- •Consider whether their 'difficulty' comes from refusing to enable dysfunction or calling out real problems
- •Ask yourself if seeking them out could provide perspective you're not getting from more popular voices
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you avoided someone because of their reputation, only to discover later that they had valuable insights or were addressing real issues others ignored.
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 21: The Music and the Letter
As the story unfolds, you'll explore unconventional people can become unexpected allies in your journey, while uncovering artistic courage requires more than talent—it demands a defiant soul. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.
