Edna Pontellier Freedom Quotes

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Freedom
"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 had swum before."(Chopin X)
By finally being able to swim Edna now had the freedom to go as far into the ocean as she wanted, which gave her a sense of freedom because she no longer had to be restricted.
"Nothing. I simply felt like going out, and I went out." (Chopin XVII)
Once Edna returned from the Grand Isle she knows that she has the ability to do as she pleases. So she decides one Tuesday to go out simply because she wanted to and she could.
Sexism
"Well, it isn't easy to explain, she lets the housekeeping go to the dickens....I know that; I told you I couldn't explain. Her whole …show more content…
This idea that her life holds for her greater things than she ever knew will also contribute to her suicide.
Public vs Private Life
"When Mr. Pontellier learned of his wife's intention to abandon her home and take up her residence elsewhere, he immediately wrote her a letter of unqualified disapproval and remonstrance. ... The same mail which brought to Edna his letter of disapproval carried instructions—the most minute instructions—to a well-known architect concerning the remodeling of his home, changes which he had long contemplated, and which he desired carried forward during his temporary absence."
Mr. Pontellier is angered by his wife moving into a different home, but he is more concerned with the way the public will view Edna's move. Therefore Mr. Pontellier plans changes to the house as a cover.
"And the ladies, selecting with dainty and discriminating fingers and a little greedily, all declared that Mr. Pontellier was the best husband in the world. Mrs. Pontellier was forced to admit that she knew of none better."(Chopin
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