CHAPTER 8

Summary

Ad'le is now concerned for her friend Edna after she has revealed her former passions, because she senses that Edna will misunderstand Robert's attentive behavior. She, therefore, asks Robert to leave Edna alone. Robert is offended and feels that she is unduly concerned. Ad'le reminds him that if he should step over the line, then he would lose his reputation as a respected gentleman.

Robert looks for Edna but is unsuccessful, so he returns to talk with his mother and their conversation involves Robert's younger brother Victor who tends to be headstrong.

Interpretation

We note that Robert enjoys a privileged position as a trusted gentleman charged with attending to the Creole women.  We note that in a way Robert is slightly frustrated and bored with his role as a respected companion.  He perhaps wishes to be more like his younger brother Victor, or even go the extreme of being a blatant womanizer like Alc'e Arobin.  He clearly intends to ignore Ad'le’s warning as he might find that Edna’s approach to him is quite entertaining.  He wants to be taken more seriously.