Some critics view Edna’s suicide at the end of the novel as a failure to complete her escape from convention --an inability to defy society once stripped of the devotion of a man by her side. Others view Edna’s suicide as a final awakening, a decision to give herself to the sea in a show of strength that defies social expectation.--Although both theories about Edna’s suicide are good, I prefer to think of it as a final awakening to freedom, because of all the things that she has to go through in order to achieve this goal which will lead her to be her own self.
Throughout the entire novel Edna undergoes a transformation from an obedient housewife to person who is alive with strength, character and emotions which she no longer has to hide. This metamorphosis is shaped by Edna’s surroundings. Edna’s behavior is more shocking and horrifying to her because of her position in Grand Isle society. It is that very position that makes her feel restrained and makes her rebel against everything and everyone that stand between her and her freedom. For example when her best friend Adele tells her--”Think of the children.”--Edna pays no attention to Adele’s “advice.” Adele Ratignolle is Edna’s closest friend. However, the two women have nothing in common. Adele is the perfect house wife and mother, and the perfect example of what a Creole woman should be. Meanwhile, Edna is the completely opposite because she is the kind of woman that “would never sacrifice herself for her children or for anyone. By this time Edna discovers a new importance in her life. She realizes that just how important it is to be true to herself. But she goes along with the way thing are suppose to, she stays the same until she becomes aware that she needs more from her life.
Edna’s marriage to Leonce is safe, but there is no passion or excitement, while this lack of emotion is enough to satisfy Edna for most of her marriage. But all of this is changes after she meets Robert and Mademoiselle Reiz, and both of them help her to allow her true self to come forth. All of this happened because she felt trapped and seeked a way out and after realizing that she didn’t need to fit the mold of the typical Creole woman. Her lifestyle and position in society suffocated her, because the Grand Isle society defines the role of a wife to be of full devotion to her husband and children. Notwithstanding, Edna never fitted into that society’s definition, and this is shown at the beginning of the novel when the other ladies from Grand Isle “all declare that Mr. Pontellier is the best husband in the entire world.” Edna is “forced to admit that she knew of no better.” By using words such as “forced” and “admit,” Chopin shows the way Edna is pressured by society and it also shows that she probably does not have strong feelings for her husband Leonce.
Edna finally rebels against her family and society by doing all the things that are not expected from her. For example, when her husband tells her that it “is folly to go swimming in such heat,” she goes and swims at any given hour of the day. And in addition to her swimming, Edna breaks the social code, which measures the length of her gloves and the color of her complexion. Lastly, Edna’s quest to rebel is lit by Mademoiselle Reiz who is a very brilliant and talented pianist. Reiz’s talent however, was somewhat lost on the island, where people could not appreciate her artistry as Edna does. Mademoiselle Reiz’s music touches Edna to the very core of her being. Something inside Edna is stirred and “awaken” she feels alive like never before in her life. It is Reiz who with her music starts to “awaken” Edna and allows her to see the beauty in life. Stirred by the magic of Reiz’s world Edna finds the strength to reach to reach for all that which is real for her, and allows her true being to shine. Edna is now able to break away from the restraining world of Leonce Adele and the rest of the society.
After reviewing all these changes which lead Edna to commit suicide, one cannot help but wonder if she committed it in order for her to feel free and liberated from the restraining world in which she lived. Whatever the case might be, I share the belief that Edna committed suicide because her true self was “awaken” and that very true self helped her to make what she believed was the best choice, because of all the things that she had to go through in order to achieve this difficult , but yet achievable goal of “freedom.”