The Widow and The Couple

While reading the novel I found two characters that, in despite of their lack of speech and direct action, are recurrent and symbolic. These are the lady in black and the two lovers found in chapters XII and XV.

In chapter twelve, Robert and Edna run into the lady in black and the two lovers as they head over to the Cheniere to attend mass. The lovers seem distracted and alien to the external world, while the lady in black followes them in silence and mournful attitude:

The lovers, who had laid their plans the night before, where already strolling towards the wharf. The lady in black, with her Sunday book, velvet and gold-clasped, and her Sunday silver beads, was following them at no great distance" (pgs. 68 - 69)

Further into the novel, in chapter fifteen, the characters appear in the dinner where Robert's departure was announced.  During the dinner, Chopin portrays the lovers as two beings who are too focused on their own conversation and relationship and ignore the dinner's vivid conversation. Chopin mentions the lady in black to make a connection between Mexico and the lady's religious devotion: "The lady in black had once received a pair of prayer beads of curious workmanship from Mexico..." (pg. 85)

As both of the characters appear in situations that are significant for Robert and Edna's relationship, it can be concluded that they both symbolize the different stages or outcomes possible in a relationship. The lady in black represents mourning, suffering and attachment to her husband, since she's always walking silent and holding religious ornament. This attitute symbolizes Edna's possible future if she continues married to Mr.Pontellier. As Edna foreshadows this destiny, she refuses to accept it and falls in love with Robert. The two lovers symbolize their sparkling relationship, which gives Edna a new meaning in life. The fact that the lady is always following the couple is a juxtaposition of Edna's two worlds.