The Awakening: Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Pontellier comes home late at night and wakes Mrs. Pontellier to tell her about his night. She answers him drowsily, and he takes offense at her nonchalance. He forgot the candy he promised to bring the children, but he goes to the bedroom to check on them. He tells his wife that Raoul has a fever; Mrs. Pontellier assures him the child is fine, and Pontellier criticizes her for her perceived neglect. She checks on the children to humor him. Soon thereafter he falls asleep.

By now, Mrs. Pontellier is awake. She cries a little and goes out onto the porch. Suddenly she begins to cry intensely. She had never reacted quite this strongly to a domestic squabble; she feels a nameless darkness and exhaustion overcome her. She ignores the bites of the mosquitoes swarming around her.

Pontellier eagerly sets out for a week of work in the city the next morning. He gives his wife a little money, which she accepts gratefully. Wife and children say a cheerful goodbye. A few days later, he sends her an expensive gift of food and wine, as is his habit. Mrs. Pontellier shares the gift with her friends, and they compliment his generosity. Mrs. Pontellier accepts the compliments with just a hint of sarcasm.