As stated in the article, the Creoles saw themselves as urban and sophisticated and a refined style of European living was their aspiration. The Creole community had a strong impact on Mrs. Pontellier attitudes. Mrs. Pontellier felt as though she was an outsider because she was not originally from the Creole community, and Mrs. Pontellier’s feelings proved correct when Mrs. Ratignolle said “She is not one of us; she is not like us.”(Chopin 64)
Perhaps Mrs. Pontellier’s sprouting feelings of anger and oppression were not caused by her marriage with Leonce, but due to the fact she is looked down upon in a community that is newer to her. A person can only take being ignored or disrespected for so long before they will feel frustrated and upset. Mrs. Pontellier begins to dislike Leonce because he is her direct link to the Creole community. If she unlinks herself from Leonce, then she will not have to be near the people that solicit her negative emotions. Her feeling of discrimination could be the reason that Mrs. Pontellier attached herself to Robert. Even though Robert was popular throughout the Creole community, he still treated Mrs. Pontellier how he treats others, and eventually he even feel in love with her. Robert shows how he is different from other members of the Creole society by saying “I hope she has discernment enough to find in me something besides the blagueur. If I thought there was any doubt- “(Chopin 64) Robert’s attitude of treating everyone the same made him standout to Mrs. Pontellier.
I didn't think of that as a reason Mrs. Pontellier hated Leonce. That's a really good observation and helped me further understand why she acted the way she did and way she resented her whole family--even her kids. Because they all linked her to the creole community.
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