She goes out into the ocean and swims until she can’t go any farther. As long as she living she wouldn’t be free. While she was living, she would always have to take care of her husband and kids and would never escape her entrapped role. She wanted to be free, in the way that Reisz was. She would never be satisfied with her place in life, and therefore would always be unhappy. She began to realize that she would never escape the life she had created for herself. Death was the only way she could escape her fate. She felt that death was the only way for her to be free of her husband and kids. Her continuous hints at unhappiness was the biggest sign. Reisz’s happiness is more important to her than upholding societal expectations.Įdna’s suicide in the end was foreshadowed throughout the book. Reisz does what makes her happy, refusing societal expectations. She would be able to experience being self-sufficient, be able to engage in her passions and fulfill her dreams. And moreover, to succeed, the artist must possess the courageous soul.”Įdna sees from what her life would be like if she was independent from her husband and kids. I do not know your talent or your absolute gifts-which have not been acquired by one’s own effort. Reisz tells Edna she must remain courageous, she must have a brave and defiant spirit.

While Edna is looking for some sort of freedom in her life, she turns to Reisz for help. Throughout the story Reisz becomes the most important role in Edna’s awakenings. On the other hand, Adèle is supposedly Edna’s best friend, but Madamoiselle Reisz is the only one who truly understands Edna’s struggle. Reisz is an independent, self-providing woman. Reisz is the exact model of what Edna wants to be in her life. Adèle knows the life of being socially expected that Reisz gave up for isolation and independence, but that is not a life Edna would be happy with. There are many reasons that Edna should follow Reisz and her way of life. Adèle’s life is controlled by her husband and kids. I can’t make it more clear it’s only something which I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me.” She wants to be free of the burden put on her by her husband and kids. “I would give up the unessential I would give my money, I would give my life for my children, but I wouldn’t give myself. Edna is not happy with her life, and wants the freedom Reisz has. Compared to Adèle, who is ruled by her kids and husband, Reisz is ruled totally by her love for herself, rather than by the social expectations of society.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin