Whereas Edna's motherly behavior leaves much to be desired, especially by her husband Leonce Pontellier: "He reproached his wife with her inattention [and] neglect of the children" (9). Therefore, right away the reader sees Edna as a woman who goes against the grain of society, as one who is unwilling to compromise her individuality and surrender to gender roles by "idolizing [her] children" or worshipping her husband – even though Edna has yet to fully realize the magnitude of this inability to subjugate herself (13).
Edna's husband, Leonce, symbolizes the essence of the patriarchal society's gender roles which she is so unwilling to conform to. For Leonce, Edna is a prized possession, not a loving partner in life but something that belongs to him: "[he looks] at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property" (Chopin 3). His frustration with Edna's disregard for "mother-woman" roles, and wifely roles, is constant He doesn't understand why she won't surrender to the societal role she is intended to fill. Edna considers his expression of these frustrations to be an "indescribable oppression" against her awakening, independent nature, and often leaves their interactions feeling depressed and withdrawn (9). .
Edna's first outward act in affirmation of her awakening and in repudiation of societal convention and gender roles comes immediately following her initial awakening after swimming in the ocean for the first time. She has taken to relaxing in the hammock outside and her husband, Leonce Pontellier, coming back from the beach sees her and begins to verbally protest her choice to stay outside in the hammock. After deciding he cannot accept his wife's behavior to oppose his wishes he orders her to, "come in the house instantly" (Chopin 65). Before responding Edna remembered obeying her husband's wishes in similar circumstances previous to this, but couldn't conceive of why.
