E-DNA, or Environmental DNA, is when an animal leaves a
certain area; their DNA is still left behind. This allows the detection of a
species regardless of its gender or life stage. For example, a bird that lives
in the north always leaves behind part of its DNA when it migrates south for
the winter. E-DNA is very much like Edna
Pontellier in that she left behind her children and husband when she decided to
kill herself. Edna is the bird and her family is her DNA. “She thought of
Leonce and the children. They were a part of her life. But they need not have
thought that they could possess her, body and soul,” (Chopin 156) Edna killing
herself is selfish to her children and husband. She didn’t see them as family;
she saw them as a chore. If she really loved them, she would have tried harder.
Now all they are is her DNA left behind.
Environmental DNA
I LOVE THIS. THIS IS SO COOL. I would have never of thought to look for a reason of why she was named Edna...I wonder if this is the actual reason behind it or not... hmmmm...
ReplyDeleteI really like how deeply you looked into this. I also think that Edna Pontellier's suicide was more than selfish. She had left her children and husband behind without a goodbye of any sort.
ReplyDeleteOk, as a science nerd who wore science knee-high socks all day today, I have to say that I like the connection, but I'm going to have to shut down the idea that the death of Edna was selfish. The reason Edna is even NEEDED in that home is because Leonce is a terrible father, he rivals Edna with who pays the children less mind. Leonce should be more responsible as a father, maybe it will take the death of his wife to teach him something.
ReplyDeleteI love this connection. Her family is all that remains of her life, and it's sad to think that she'd just die without a second thought about those in her life. And I'd like to casually mention that she was NEEDED because society told her to, not that she wanted to and that I've been wearing those socks for like a year and a half. It's obvious she didn't want to do anything regarding her family, which is why I love your post Alexis. There's finally someone who actually understands my opinion instead of just disputing me without realizing what I'm saying. Someone finally understands me. Lol
ReplyDeleteJulian, I agree with you that the connection is completely amazing, but as for Edna disregarding her family, I don't think that's what's actually happening. When she killed herself, she thought of her children and she thought of her husband. And when she thought of them, she felt nothing more than the fact that they're part of what held her there, without a say, without a choice, without hope. She did give thought to her family, she just didn't want to stay in that life that has been cut out for her since day one.
DeleteI must agree with most of the comments above, that this connection is actually genius and I am currently applauding you for this because I love it, but as we discussed in class (well debated), I don't believe her actions were selfish at all. When reflecting on the story it is clear why the suicide took place, and I feel it was her way of making her own decision, to prove she wasn't anyone's "Property".
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. This is probably one of the smartest things I have ever seen someone achieve within a blog post. By taking apart the word Edna and coming up with E (environmental) DNA, shows how insightful you are into the novel. I commend you and, more so, applaud you, for showing me a different way of looking at things.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work.
ReplyDelete