Throughout the entire story Edna was seen as a caged bird. Her end was characterized by the fluttering exhaustion of a bird with a broken wing. Edna knew she would always remain a caged domesticated bird if she had lived.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Blog Post #4
Edna's romantic expectations concerning Robert add to her naivety as a character. She has unrealistic expectations for their relationship and thought that Robert would simply forget her past and see her only as the independent woman she grew to become. Robert's morals insist that he call Edna, Mrs. Pontellier. Edna is comfortable with solidifying their union through adultery, but Robert is not. Even though Robert has returned from Mexico, he is still just as unavailable to Edna. Though Edna has ceased to see herself as a possession, Robert feels that the reason they cannot be together is because Edna belongs to Leoncé. When Edna and Robert finally discuss their relationship he admits the root of the problem is ownership, and the transfer of it from Leoncé to himself. But he then goes on to describe such an act as simply "vague, [and] mad intentions" (Chopin 167). Robert is more concerned with the logistics of the relationship than his love for Edna. Edna had seen Robert as the final step towards her liberation, but in reality he would only allow her to exist within the Victorian man and wife dynamic. Edna realizes this and pokes fun at Robert's conservative views: "If [Leoncé] were to say, 'Here, Robert, take her and be happy; she is yours,' I should laugh at you both" (Chopin 167). Before Edna leaves Robert to tend to Madame Ratignolle he reveals his deeply rooted passion for Edna by begging her to stay. "Her seductive voice... had enthralled his senses..." (Chopin 168) but Robert's passions are not strong enough to further pursue Edna. Robert was forced to choose between his morality and feelings of affection. It only makes sense that Edna's last resort to achieve freedom was suicide. Whether it be Leoncé, Arobin, or Robert, she would still be confined to Victorian Social norms. Her mindset proved to be before her time and therefore she decided to relinquish herself from her shackles.
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Edna's suicide gave her the freedom she desired throughout the book. While her suicide allowed her to cut connections with Arobin, Mr. Pontellier, and Robert, she was also able to cut ties with her children. She realized that her children were her true shackles in life. If she lived, they would have "sought to drag her into the soul's slavery" (175). Suicide was "a way to elude them" (175).
ReplyDeleteI agree that Robert was more concerned with the logistics of the relationship than his actual affection towards Edna. When Robert and Edna discussed their relationship, I could tell this was last straw for her. It is just sad that Edna had to kill herself in order to gain freedom. Would Robert mourn her suicide or would he just see her as an object he couldn't obtain?
ReplyDeleteI agree that the only way to free herself from the creole community and expectations of her, is to commit suicide (even though i didn't get there yet😭). I predicted that divorce would be the way she freed herself but suicide is a more serious way out and helps to show how desperate Edna was to be free.
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