the awakening

I was actually somewhat disappointed in Edna's character. While I enjoyed the idea of her rebellion against the societal norms with her decision to love another man, and remove herself from the constraints of society, I didn't like how she had to commit suicide as a final separation from society. Though it is a very final statement that confirms her position outside the societal norms, I still wish she had done something more realistic, like move away and move on with her life. I guess in my eyes that would have made her seem like a stronger woman. In addition, it took a man to make Edna open her eyes to the restrictions of society, a point I see as kind of ironic. Though she is rebelling against some class and gender roles, it still takes a man to make the woman do something out of the ordinary. I also feel as though the pressure of societal norms that pushed Robert away from the taboo of loving Edna are the same pressures that led to Edna's extreme reaction: if there had been just one other friend whom Edna could have confided in, one who could relate to her actions and feelings, she would not have had to deal with the isolation that came with her 'awakening'. Though she was illuminated in a way that only she could understand, a feeling that probably empowered her to be the rebel that she was, Robert's rejection of her and her love was a tipping point that just led her back to her beginning, and made her end her short clash with society. Robert's role in all of this makes me wonder: If Edna had been awakened by something other realization of her own power, or NOT influenced by a man, would it have changed the critical response to Chopin's story?