Due to the strict societal norms that the majority of citizens abide by, Edna’s friends disagree with her decisions and push her out of society equally as forcefully as she pushes them away. As a Creole woman, Edna must observe her “calling day”, a day once a week when a woman must be home to receive visitors. Before Edna’s awakening begun “on Tuesday afternoons there was a constant stream of callers” coming to see Edna (Chopin 48). However, Edna no longer cares to continue this tradition and when Leonce asks her about her calling day she responds “‘There were a great many [callers]... I found their cards when I got home; I was out” (Chopin 49). This disregard for Edna’s friends infuriates Leonce, especially as he goes through the cards of
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Originally, Edna rejects her husband’s overbearing nature and follows her own thoughts and desires. “I am no longer one of Mr. Pontellier’s possessions to dispose of or not. I give myself where I choose” (Chopin 102). When Leonce demands Edna come in the house she rejects his command. “Another time she would have gone in at his request. She would, through habit, have yielded to his desire; not with any sense of submission or obedience to his compelling wishes, but unthinkingly” (Chopin 30). However, this time she does not respond with submission but with assertion, ‘Leonce, go to bed… I mean to stay out here. I don’t wish to go in, and I don’t intend to. Don’t speak to me like that again; I shall not answer you” (Chopin 31). Edna successfully renounces her husband, but finds it difficult to give up all ties with men. Robert, who inspired her awakening plays to Edna’s passion. As Robert leaves, “for the first time she [Edna] recognized anew the symptoms of infatuation” (Chopin 44). After Robert’s departure, Edna continues her awakening as Alcee unveils Edna’s sexuality. “When he leaned forward and kissed her, she clasped his head, holding his lips to hers. It was the first kiss of her life to which her nature had really responded. It was a flaming torch that kindled desire” (Chopin 80). Due to these men’s integral role in Edna’s awakening she cannot forsake them as
Originally, Edna rejects her husband’s overbearing nature and follows her own thoughts and desires. “I am no longer one of Mr. Pontellier’s possessions to dispose of or not. I give myself where I choose” (Chopin 102). When Leonce demands Edna come in the house she rejects his command. “Another time she would have gone in at his request. She would, through habit, have yielded to his desire; not with any sense of submission or obedience to his compelling wishes, but unthinkingly” (Chopin 30). However, this time she does not respond with submission but with assertion, ‘Leonce, go to bed… I mean to stay out here. I don’t wish to go in, and I don’t intend to. Don’t speak to me like that again; I shall not answer you” (Chopin 31). Edna successfully renounces her husband, but finds it difficult to give up all ties with men. Robert, who inspired her awakening plays to Edna’s passion. As Robert leaves, “for the first time she [Edna] recognized anew the symptoms of infatuation” (Chopin 44). After Robert’s departure, Edna continues her awakening as Alcee unveils Edna’s sexuality. “When he leaned forward and kissed her, she clasped his head, holding his lips to hers. It was the first kiss of her life to which her nature had really responded. It was a flaming torch that kindled desire” (Chopin 80). Due to these men’s integral role in Edna’s awakening she cannot forsake them as