Chapter 37
Edna went into the Ratignolle’s drug store; Monsieur Pontellier was concocting a tonic. Edna went up the private stairway at the back of the drug store, which led to the Ratignolle’s apartment. She found Madame Ratignolle lying on the couch, refusing to go back to her room, and complaining that she was being neglected by everyone. Doctor Mandelet had not arrived yet, and she was anxious. The nurse told her that she had heard the doctor’s coupé pull up outside, Monsieur Ratignolle was coming down the hall, and Edna was here with her. She, finally, consented to going back into her bedroom. Madame Ratignolle insisted that Edna stay with her while she was in with the doctor. Madame Ratignolle was pregnant and was in the early stages of labor. Edna stayed with her for a long time. When Edna leaned into kiss her goodbye, Madame Ratignolle told Edna to think of the children.
Chapter 38
Doctor Mandelet walked Edna home. He told her that she shouldn’t have been there, because she was too impressionable. He asked her when Mr. Pontellier was coming home, and if they were going abroad when he returned. Edna told him that Lèonce was coming home in March. She started to tell him that she might go abroad, but then changed her mind and said that she would not be going abroad; she just wanted to be left alone. The doctor told her that she seemed to be in trouble, and told her that she should come and see him soon; they would talk everything out, and she would feel better. Edna told him that she did not want to talk to him about her troubles. He left her at her house. She sat outside on the porch, reminiscing about the night she had had. She remembered the feeling of Robert’s embrace and lips. She longed for him. She went into the house, expected to find Robert asleep; she hoped to find him asleep, so that she could wake him with her kiss. Robert was not there; the house was deserted. Edna found a note from Robert that read: “I love you. Good-by-because I love you” (158). Edna lay on the couch, and stayed there awake until Celestine came in to light the fire.
Chapter 39: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2518287/summary_of_kate_chopins_the_awakening.html?cat=4
Chapter 1:http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2493917/summary_of_kate_chopins_the_awakening.html?cat=4
Character Descriptions and Paper Topics: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2487006/kate_chopins_the_awakening.html?cat=4
Works Cited:
Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. New York: Barnes and Noble, 1995.
