Blog Post 10: I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T - Do you Know What That Means?

                In Chapter XXIV, once all of her family has left, Edna “[walks] all through the house…as if inspecting it for the first time.  (XXIV.97.)” She does this because she finally is alone and does not have to worry about being tied down to her family. Now that her husband is away she is not attached to a man, and with her children gone she does not have to worry about her motherly responsibilities. These are two defining roles of the female in that society, so with are family gone she finally feels free and independent—something she has never had the chance to experience before. This is especially symbolic because the house is thought of as a symbol for women, so with the men gone from the house, they are also gone from Edna’s worries.

                In Chapter XXVI, on the way back from Mademoiselle Reisz’s house, Edna stops by the bakery and gets treats for her children—something she only does when she is feeling good about herself. Edna only expresses her love for her children when she is happy because she prioritizes herself over her children. She will not think of her children before herself because that would mean she was confining to society’s role for her as a woman. She wants to love her children, but not when she feels forced to.

                Edna sleeps with Alcee even though she is longing for Robert because she needs an outlet for her romantic passion because she knows she cannot be with Robert. Not only that, but her act of cheating is a way for her to exercise control and break away from the standards of society. She likes to break rules and go against norms because they make her feel more independent.