Freedom

Edna seems to be searching for freedom, and when we meet her father it seems obvious why. Maybe when she was growing up her father put into her head that she needs to marry a rich man who will control her. Maybe she only settled for Mr. Pontellier because she didn’t think she would find someone who she actually loved or maybe was even rushed into marriage. Her father said: “’You are too lenient by far, Leonce,’ asserted the colonel. ‘Authority, coercion are what is needed. Put your foot down good and hard; the only way to manage a wife. Take my word for it.’” (Chopin 96) Her father saying these things is kind of messed up, he’s basically telling his daughters husband to control her, which we know now in modern times that that’s absurd. All these feelings of yearning for freedom arising in her might be because she’s realizing that she doesn’t need someone to control her; she can make her own decisions and be happy on her own. She probably hasn’t realized this before because everyone was telling her that she couldn’t be on her own or find anybody else. Robert could even have influenced this change of heart because she actually feels something for him. She could have finally realized that she could actually be happy, instead of barely content with her husband and children, with someone she really does love and enjoys to be around. It’s sad to think that she would leave her kids, but it’s obvious she never really wanted them. They could be a reminder of all the love at isn’t there with Mr. Pontellier. I could be wrong, but I think Edna wants to completely rid herself of Mr. Pontellier, and that includes her own children. Maybe they will stay with their dad, or they will stay in Iberville.