The Creole women on Grand Isle inspire the first mode of expression that Edna learns. Edna admires the women with which she is thrown together at Lebrun's, Adele among them, because they show her a part of herself that she has been lacking:

A characteristic which distinguished them and which impressed Mrs. Pontellier forcibly was their entire absence of prudery. Their freedom of expression was at first incomprehensible to her, though she had no difficulty in reconciling it with a lofty chastity which in the Creole woman seems to be inborn and unmistakable. (Chopin 18)

Once Edna gets passed the shock of women speaking freely and sharing their emotions openly, she finds their frankness liberating.

She saw no pictures of solitude, of hope, of longing, or of despair. But the very passions themselves were aroused within her soul, swaying it, lashing it, as the waves daily beat upon her splendid body. She trembled, she was chocking, and

association with Robert and Alcee Arobin, giving her a third form of self-expression that she

becomes aware of through the help and aide of others. Edna finds this sexual awareness invigorating and wishes to pursue a relationship with Robert because he brings together her undeveloped desires: "There was no human being whom she wanted near her except Robert" (Chopin 189). Once Edna realizes that Robert is her hidden desire, a light begins "to dawn dimly within her, —the light which, showing the way forbids it" (Chopin 25). She also "takes the role of aggressor in her relationship, sending for Robert when she wants him" (MacDonald 7). Adele, having shown Edna that they can be open and honest with one another, has given Edna the yearning to be that outspoken in every area of her life. Even though "Robert helps to teach her the language of sexuality, she wants to speak this language loudly, as it were, while Robert still feels social pressure to whisper" (Ward 6). While Robert arouses her senses, Arobin releases the "animalism that stir[s] impatiently within her" (Chopin 89). However, Edna only allows herself to be close to Arobin physically, not emotionally: "Alcee Arobin was absolutely nothing to her. Yet his presence, his manners, the warmth of his glances, and above all the touch of his lips upon her hand had acted like a narcotic upon her" (Chopin 92). She understands that the sex without love is nothing more than a fulfillment of one's own desires. She also comes to realize that the capture of the desire that one has in their heart is the only way to true happiness.

Some topics in this essay:
Alcee Arobin, Mademoiselle Reisz, Lebrun's Adele, Edna Pontellier, Robert MacDonald, Robert Chopin, Edna Pontellier's, Grand Isle, Enda Pontellier, Kate Chopin's, ward 5, mademoiselle reisz, creole women, language sexuality, one's own, macdonald 2, wife mother, edna pontellier, chopin 45, edna's mind,