The Victorian era can be described by not only its unbridled prosperity and its elegance, but also by its stron

In Victorian society, the ideal woman was “always unobtrusive, never talks loudly, or laughs boisterously, or does anything to attract the attention of the passers-by.” Edna acts conversely to this, beginning in her gradual repudiation of the—though limited—practices and responsibilities ascribed to the Victorian lady. In Chapter 15, Edna reveals to Mademoiselle Reiz that she will never sacrifice herself for anyone, not exempting even her children. This is a strong repudiation of the maternal duties of the Victorian woman, whose domesticity is ultimately associated with supervising and attending to the children. Refusing to await the random callers that arrive on Tuesdays, Edna signifies that she is completely apprehensive about continuing her previous lifestyle that revolves around pointless social conventions. Her rebelliousness, contrary to the opinions of Dr. Mandelet, persists in select actions of conscious disobedience: not attending church, not sleeping with her husband and “let (ting) the housekeeping go to the dickens . . . tramping about by herself, moping in the street-cars, getting in after dark.” This blatant resistance to comply with the rules of high society exemplifies her repudiation of the typical Victorian women, asserting her independence from the suppressive life that limited her to certain prescribed actions, allegedly bestowed by the generosity of men.

g dedication in retaining Old World customs and traditions, especially those that delineated the dualism of sexes: Males will be relegated to a world of work and social responsibility and Females will be entitled to a distinct universe of trivial domestic pursuits. Edna Pontellier, a Southern Protestant lady, initially accepts this predetermined role of passive dependence, seduced into the temptation of Victorian conformity. The stark transformation between placid submission into contemptuous rebellion can be attributed to the certain instances and events that transpired over the course of the summer at Grand Isle. There was a growing rift between her husband, Leonce Pontellier, and Edna, exemplified by his inferior view of her and her place in society that was espoused in his scolding that

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