“There was her husband’s
reproach looking at her from the external things around her which he had
provided for her external existence. There was Robert’s reproach making itself felt
by a quicker, fiercer, more overpowering love, which had awakened within her
toward him.” (139)
After Alcée kisses her,
Edna cries a little and thinks about two of the men in her life. She may not realize
it, but Edna essentially has to choose between duty, passion, and love.
Léonce is the path of
duty. If Edna stays with him, she can keep her reputation in the Victorian
society at the cost of her happiness. In order to be happy, Edna moves away. Léonce only wants Edna back from her pigeon house because of his “financial
integrity” (138). This really shows that superficial reputations are more important than true love in the Victorian society.
Robert is the path of
love. Mademoiselle Reisz tells Edna that Robert “loves [her], and is trying to
forget [her]” (135) since she is a married woman. In another post, it was
mentioned that Robert and Edna are star-crossed lovers. Being star-crossed
lovers, Edna’s marriage probably won’t stop their love. Yet there is one more
player in the game for Edna’s heart.
Alcée is the path of
lust. He seems to prey on Edna’s emotional distress like an incubus. After Edna’s
dinner party when she was “chilled, and miserable” (149), Alcee did not leave
until Edna “had become supple to his gentle, seductive entreaties” (151).
Although she loves Robert, this act of adultery proves Alcée holds a place in Edna's life.
Based on what happens
to Juliet Capulet and Hester Prynne, it’s possible that even with three men to
choose from, Edna Pontellier will either commit suicide or continue to live with a child born out of adultery.
Regardless of who Edna chooses in the end (if she even chooses anyone), Edna will not be completely happy. With Mr. Pontellier, Edna will feel caged. With Robert, Edna will feel as if she is being shunned by society. With Arobin, Edna will long for Robert. She does not experience true satisfaction in any way.
ReplyDeleteEven with the three paths Edna has to choose, she will be unable to come to a complete decision because she is very childlike. Each path has its pros and cons. With her current behaviors, I doubt Edna will even pick a lover, because if she picks one, she will still feel confined. Edna should just follow in the footsteps of Madame Reisz
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