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good impressions on those who could increase the quality of Leonce's business dealings. "This had been a programme which Mrs. Pontellier had religiously followed since her marriage, six years before" (507). Edna no longer preformed the task, because she saw no reason to entertain people she did not like and had little or no interest in. She did not want to participate in the illusion of a friendly afternoon tea, when in reality it was just another ploy to make more money and rise higher on the social scale. Mr. Pontellier was very distraught at hearing that Edna had neglected her Tuesday reception day. "Why, my dear, I should think you'd understand by this time that people don't do such things; we've got to observe les convenances if we ever expect to get on and keep up with the procession" (507). Leonce strictly observed the social rules and expectations. He played the game of keeping up with the Jones's like a professional. He couldn't comprehend why Edna did not care about the social rules that were so important to his way of life.

Forsaking her reception day duties was just the beginning for Edna. "She began to do as she liked and to feel as she liked" (512). She exchanged her household duties for a pallet and brush, since she took up painting as a regular occupation. "She made ineffectual efforts to conduct her household en bonne menagere, going and coming as it suited her fancy, and, so far as she was able, lending herself to any passing caprice" (512). Her priorities shifted from keeping up appearances to self-discovery. She displayed total disregard for the social obligations that called for her attention. She did not return the visits of her disappointed callers and spent much of her time walking about town discovering who she really was. "I always feel so sorry for women who don't like to walk; they miss so muchso many rare glimpses of life; and we women learn so little of life on the whole" explained Edna (551). She took her walks to be blessedly alone and away from admonishing remarks. She walked through the town to be alone with her thoughts and discover her true self.

Edna felt less alone when she was physically alone with only her thoughts for company, than she did in a bustling room of her peers. Part of her loneliness was due to the fact that she was not what she called a "mother-woman." During the summer of her enlightenment, Grand Isle was predominantly inhabited by "mother-women." They were the mothers that fluttered over-protectively

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