The Awakening

While talking to Robert about the intentions of his spur of the moment trip to Mexico, Edna says, “I suppose this is what you would call unwomanly; but I have into a habit of expressing myself. It doesn’t matter to me, and you may think me unwomanly if you like” (100). I like this quote immensely, and I feel it accurately sums up all that Edna represents in The Awakening. She does not play the subdued wife and mother who always succumbs to her husbands wishes. On the contrary, Edna Pontillier is a strong woman who represents independence and free will. She opts to move houses and throws lavish parties. She leaves her children in order to go out on her own and find herself. She has flings with more than one man. She has a “habit of expressing [herself]”, unfiltered and sometimes uncontrollable.
            One question I have is about the significance of the character, Arobin. Chopin shows Edna Pontillier as a woman who goes after what she wants and who isn’t afraid of defying social norms. After reading the novel, we find out that Edna is truly passionate for Robert, thus performing an act of infidelity. Why, then, is Arobin’s character important? She shows some interest in him, yet nothing as strong as Robert, which makes Arobin seem somewhat insignificant.