Character List:
- Edna Pontellier - The protagonist of the novel, she is the wife of Léonce. She is not a "mother-woman" and doesn't want to give herself up for her children. At twenty-eight years old, she experiences an awakening and embarks on a quest for independence.
- Mademoiselle Reisz - She is an unmarried, childless piano player who doesn't conform to social standards and acts reclusive. She embodies the true artist. Edna becomes close to her because of Edna's relationship with Robert.
- Adèle Ratignolle - She is the ideal "mother-woman." She is beautiful even though she isn't skinny, and she loves both her children and her husband. She has a happy relationship with her husband and is a foil to Mademoiselle Reisz.
- Robert Lebrun - One Madame Lebrun's sons, he attaches himself to one married woman at Grand Isle every year. Edna is the only one who actually takes him seriously, and both fall in love with each other.
- Alcée Arobin - He is a womanizing man who enjoys having affairs with married women. He has a very bad reputation among other men. Edna has an affair with him but doesn't allow him to totally control her.
- Léonce Pontellier - He is Edna's husband and a businessman. He follows the social customs of the time and treats his wife as a possession, even though he is mostly kind towards her. He cares a lot about his appearance, and he doesn't really know his wife.
- Doctor Mandelet - He is the Pontellier's doctor whom Léonce goes to see about the changes in his wife's behavior. He suspects that Edna might be involved with another man.
- The Colonel - He is Edna's father and a Confederate veteran from the Civil War. Although Edna gets along with her father, they don't agree about marriage.
- Victor Lebrun - He is Robert's younger brother and Madame Lebrun's favorite son. He spends most of his time chasing women and is much like his brother.
- Madame Lebrun - She is a widow and the mother of Victor and Robert. She owns the cottages on Grand Isle that the vacationers stay in.
- The Farival Twins - Two twins who play the piano on Grand Isle. They were dedicated to the Virgin Mary at birth and wear clothes that match her colors.
- Mrs. Highcamp - An older woman in her forties who is friends with Alcée Arobin. She spends time with many young men while pretending to search for a husband for her daughter.
- Janet and Margaret - They are Edna's sisters. Margeret took the place of her mother when she died.
- Mariequita - She is a young, pretty Spanish girl who flirts with Robert and Victor Lebrun on Grand Isle.
- Madame Antoine - A big, friendly woman on Chênière Caminada who allows Edna to sleep in her home after she feels sick. She has only heard of the outside world through stories.
- Mr. and Mrs. Merriman, Miss Mayblunt, & Mr. Gouvernail - They are guests at Edna's dinner party celebrating her move into her new home.
- Etienne & Raoul Pontellier - They are Edna's children. Although she loves them, she lets them raise themselves and says she won't giver herself up for them.