The Unaffectionate Mother

 Edna Pontellier is not as happy in her marriage as a woman should be. In chapter VII we are permitted a peak inside her mind and we find out that she is not the happiest woman around, and that she feels a little left out in the Creole's society. As said in my previous blog Not a Mother-Woman I said that Edna doesn't quite fit in to her husband's  society group because she doesn't fit the typical Creole woman behavior, "devoted their entire lives to caring for their children and husbands, putting themselves second and idolizing men". In this chapter we lear the reasons why.

Mrs. Pontellier was not accustomed to outward and spoken affections since it wasn't common in her family to be that way, "She and her younger sister, Janet, had quarreled a good deal"(Pg 256), like an normal pair of sisters they used to fight quite a lot but apparently their relationship wasn't good enough in order for them to be friends even though they fought, and, "Her older sister, Margaret, was matronly and dignified"(Pg266) her older sister took up their late mothers  role in the household, "Margaret was not effusive, she was practical"(Pg267) and having had to become such a sober person since such a young age made her little affectionate.

Consequently, Edna did have the occasional girl friend "they seemed to be all of one type--the self-contained"(Pg267) her friendships never actually required for her to become an affective person so she never learned it. Also, "Her most intimate friend at school had been one of rather exceptional intellectual gifts"(Pg267), the closest relationship she ever had with another person was based on intellect and that is one of the principal reasons why she is so awkward towards other peoples affections and she portrays this behavior towards raising her children