besLeonce as a likable guy. He is a successful businessman, popular with hisfriends, and devotes himself to Edna and the children (Spangler 154). AlthoughEdnas marriage to Leonce is purely and accident, he pleases her and hisabsolute devotion flattered her (Chopin 506). However, it is clearly obviousto the reader the Leonce acts as the oppressor of Edna (Allen 72). When thereader first sees them together, Leonce is looking at his wife as a valuablepiece of personal property which has suffered some damage (Chopin 494). The most important aspect to Leonce is making money and showing off hiswealth. He believes his wifes role to be caring for him and his children. Therefore, the first step toward her freedom is to be free of his rule. Edna isable to accomplish this first by denying Leonce the submissiveness which heis accustomed to. She does this by abandoning her Tuesday visitors, shemakes no attempt to keep an organized household, and she comes and goesas she pleases (Chopin 536). The next big step in gaining her freedom fromher husband is when she moves into a house of her own while Leonce is awaytaking of business. She does not even wait to see what his opinion of the Harmon 3matter is (Chopin 558). It is quite evident the only thing Leonce worries aboutis what people are going to say. Therefore, he begins to remodel the house so it does not appear that Edna has left him. Mr. Pontellier had savedappearances! (Chopin 565). Leonce never really understands what happensto his marriage with Edna. Instead he has to face the fact that he as well asthe children are of no consequence to his wife (Spangler 154). There is alsothe fact that divorce is not a consideration because in the 1890s this right hasnot been generally recognized. The reader must understand that as a matterof historical fact her options are different from modern ones (Allen 72).Secondly, Edna must become free from her children. For many yearsEdna has been a go...
