Kate Chopin explains that it isn’t that Edna neglects her children, but rather she abandons her mother-woman image. Edna attempts to explain her outlook when she says, “I would give up the unessential; I would give my money; I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself. I can't make it more clear; it's only something I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me.” This a

Just as Edna’s rapport with her children deducted from her sense of self, so too did her relationship with her husband, Leonce. The Grand Isle society defines the role of wife as fully devoted and self-sacrificing to their husband. Edna didn’t fulfill societies definition. This is clear when the other ladies at Grand Isle “all declared that Mr. Pontellier was the best husband in the world.” And in reaction “Mrs. Pontellier was forced to admit she knew of none better.” The choice of words like “forced” and “admit” depict how unsatisfied Edna is with her husband and life. Edna's leaving Leonce's mansion is another important detail when considering her rebellion against the mother-woman idea. By moving to her own residence she deifes all that is sacrad in the Creol society.

Edna’s relationship to other women in society also shows her opposition to the “mother-women” image, tearing her soul into pieces iuntill she sees no way out but by taking her very life. Adele Ratignolle and Mademoiselle Reisz, the two important female secondary characters,represent the two different aspects of Edna’s personality. Edna describes Adele as the “perfect mother-woman.” Edna does share some of Adele’s characteristics, yet she attempts to break away from this side of herself. Edna sees that Adele possesses no sense of herself beyond her role as wife and mother, and therefore Adele exists only in relation to her family, not in relation to herself or the world. Edna desires individuality, and the identity of a mother-woman does not provide that for her. In contrast to Adele Ratignolle, Mademoiselle Reisz offers Edn

Some topics in this essay:
Gilmore’s Urgo, Kate Chopin’s, Grand Isle, Mademoiselle Reisz, Kate Chopin, Edna Pontellier, Mademoiselle Reisz's, Edna Adele, Gilmore Edna, Joseph Urgo’s, mademoiselle reisz, ratignolle mademoiselle, grand isle, adele ratignolle mademoiselle, ratignolle mademoiselle reisz, adele ratignolle, newly awakened self, newly awakened, mother-woman idea, awakened self, role wife, self-sacrificing husband,