The Touch of Lust and Love Edna Pontillier's two lovers in Kate Chopin's The Awakening induce very distinct attitudes in Edna and the importance of these lovers is shown in contrast physical touch. Robert and Edna's relationship begins as a friendship that provides emotional comfort and mental stimulation to both of them, leaving room for a deeper bond as they fall in love. Edna likes Robert's touch because she feels emotionally safe with him and finds that he is able to satisfy not only her mental needs but also her physical ones. The relationship with Alcee arises only from Edna's physical needs and a great deal of lust without any mental fulfillment. Edna does not feel the love or even the emotional comfort that Robert gives her and feels this lack of affinity in a detached and indifferent acceptance of Alcee's presence. The difference between Edna's relationship with Robert and Alcee is manifested in Robert's tender loving caress and Alcee's seductive and magnetic kiss, highlighting the difference between Edna's physical and emotional needs. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Robert's presence and touch bring about a feeling of emotional fulfillment because his love for Robert satisfies both his physical and especially his emotional needs. Robert “penetrate[s] her mood and understand[s]” (29) this comfort on a mental and emotional level leads Edna to take “his arm, but…not lean on it” (29). Edna is able to accept Robert's physical touch only because she feels this emotional connection to him, not because she depends on Robert to support her, just because he understands her. The two lovers feel such a strong bond that when Robert leaves for Mexico Edna is very reluctant to say goodbye to him and clings to his hand “trying to hold him” (45). Edna uses her hand as a physical means to communicate to Robert the strong emotional objection she feels to his leaving. While Robert is absent, his letters to Mademoiselle Reisz "[penetrate] her (Edna's) entire being…warming and illuminating the dark places of her soul" (81). Even without Robert's physical presence, Edna is still able to feel an emotional connection with him, which brings her joy, revealing that their feelings for each other are more than temporary lust. When she finally reunites, Robert's first reaction is to take her hand “without knowing what she was saying or doing” (97). The immediate physical touch shows Robert's immense feelings of not only physical attraction but also emotional adoration. Edna's attachment to Robert carries much more emotional and mental weight for Edna than Alcee's physical seduction. Alcee represents physical lust and fleeting satisfaction with only physical affection to attract her and satisfy her physical needs. When Alcee and Edna first met, “he drew…Edna like a magnet” and was as seductive as “an intoxicating substance” (74). Alcee is dangerous but Edna feels the need to satisfy her physical needs and Alcee is the most magnetic candidate. When Alcee finally seduces Edna with physical affection, she "[doesn't] think or care whether (the kiss) [was] genuine or not" (77) but continues to "like the touch of his fingers in her hair " (82). Edna is unwilling to spend time considering her own emotional attachments to Alcee, but enjoys the sensual and seductive physical closeness he provides. Alcee's touch “kindled desire” (83) but left a “surprise pang of regret” that saddens Edna (84). Edna's inability to enjoy Alcee's touch after it occurs is evidence of the completely lust-based nature of her attraction.