Mrs. Pontellier becomes Miss Independent

I have finished reading The Awakening and I think the most significant theme that occurred was independence. While Edna was on vacation in Grand Isle, she learned how to swim by herself. “A feeling of exultation overtook her, as if some power of significant import had been given her to control the working of her body and her soul. She grew daring and reckless, overestimating her strength. She wanted to swim far out, where no woman has swum before” (37). This scene represents the sparked idea in Edna’s head to become independent and becoming able to do anything she wanted without the burden of marriage. Even though it takes awhile to gain it, she does eventually stand up for herself. "You have been a very, very foolish boy, wasting your time dreaming of impossible things when you speak of Mr. Pontellier setting me free! I am no longer one of Mr. Pontellier's possessions to dispose of or not. I give myself where I choose. If he were to say, 'Here, Robert, take her and be happy; she is yours,' I should laugh at you both" (146). She ends things with both love interests; gaining her life (ironically she loses it soon after). I added the song Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson to this blog post because, obviously, it demonstrates the idea of a woman not needing anyone to be strong and dominant.