Louisiana to tell her story utilizing a woman, Edna Pontellier, as her subject. The story

was written in the late eighteen hundreds and drew wide criticism from critics and the

public. The novel was banished for many years due to it's suicide and alienation basis. Today the novel is viewed with admiration, although many critic's don't know if Edna's

suicide is a triumph, failure or tragedy in life. Chopin does an excellent job in describing

Pontellier's marital situation, while giving some insight into how women are viewed as

subordinates to men during these times. The author also goes into detail describing the

characters in the book and how they all tie into the change in Edna Montpellier's personality. Although Chopin adds a life-altering event to Edna's life such as her surprise swim, she also includes tragedy by allowing the principal to meet an unpredictable fate. Edna Pontellier somewhat represents several people today, not just

women, who are searching within themselves to determine if their lives have any merit,

while trying to define who they would pref

I don't think Edna was originally contemplating committing suicide. I think factors of Nurture, like behavioral, cognitive and humanistic, and not Nature , compiled to make her not want to live anymore rather than face dealing with them. She loved her children very much, but the author made it clear several times in the book that Edna was not willing to sacrifice her own happiness for the sake of them. Mrs. Ratignolle reminded Edna of her motherly obligation by during the birth of her fourth child. She loved her husband, but could not bare the idea of ever going back to him because of his intense need to maintain a certain social position and his driving desire to acquire unnecessary items. Lastly, I think depression really came out when she could not come to terms with the idea that the man she had fallen in love with was not willing to be with her because she was a married woman.

factor. I could see no evidence that she had been abused mentally, rather she was a victim of her circumstance and the era in which she lived, or perhaps a suppressed childhood.

The uncharacteristic change in Edna moving out of their home, Leonce cares for her reputation in social circles, and arranged it so that the house would look as though it was being remodeled.

Ms Reisz felt that Edna was the only one at the vacation spot that was worthy of listening to her play the piano. Ms. Reisz's music often reduced Edna to tears. She served as an outlet for Edna to bare her feelings, and also allowed Edna to read letters that Robert had written to her. She was supportive of Edna's decision to move out of her home, but was concerned that she may not be making a wise decision to leave her family.

Mrs. Ratignolle was also one of Edna's friends there on the Isle. They enjoyed trips to the beach together and other interests, that they developed a very good friendship.

This story was able to help me visualize the troubled mind of young woman who was desperately seeking to find herself. The author went into great detail to describe each scene to help me visualize what was going on. Although Ch

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1415
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)