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The Colonel is Edna’s father, emblematic of the Antebellum South, patriarchy, and control. We see the Colonel’s domineering attitude in how the novel refers to him by his rank in the Confederate Army instead of his name. He criticizes Mr. Pontellier for being too lenient with Edna. Despite Mr. Pontellier’s patriarchal attitude toward Edna, even he recognizes that the Colonel was such a domineering husband that it likely contributed to his wife’s death. Beyond his controlling behavior, the Colonel attempts to exaggerate his authority. He wears coats with padded shoulders that make him appear broader and stronger, hiding his true thinness. By connecting the Colonel so explicitly with the Confederacy and the Antebellum South, the novel suggests that the Colonel’s attitudes are old-fashioned, belonging to a world that no longer exists. The details about his padded coats furthermore portray his outdated attitudes as weaknesses disguised as strength.
However, Edna has more in common with her father than it appears at first glance. Both tend to be self-absorbed. The Colonel takes credit for Edna having any talent at art because he believes that he has “bequeathed to all of his daughters the germs of a masterful capability.” When Edna sketches a portrait of him, he forces his grandchildren to leave the room. This disinterest in his grandchildren shows an unwillingness to cede emotional space to the new generation, wanting to remain the center of attention. This attitude echoes how Edna wishes she could pursue life for her own pleasure instead of taking responsibility for her children. Additionally, the Colonel continues to gamble even though he has lost his family’s estate because of gambling debts. Edna, once awakened to her own desires, also pursues whatever makes her happy in the moment without taking into account the long-term practicality or consequences. Notably, the Colonel is able to behave with this kind of disregard for others and still maintain respect because he is a man from a distinguished family with a storied military career, while society considers Edna selfish and unwell.
