Finished this novel last night, being a bit surprised by the ending but wondering as I came close how Chopin would wrap things up in a few pages. Unfortunately, I felt that it was done with the same lack of depth with which the main character made most of the decisions in her bid for self-freedom.
The character of Edna may be typical of her time, a 29 year-old woman in a marriage of propriety. Her husband adores her and yet it is obvious that his means of keeping her happy are very much by way of material things, a large house, elaborate furnishings, servants, the proper friends, and two nice little boys. I don’t fault Edna for her rebellion; if this isn’t what you want, or worse, not what you’re given any expression in wanting, then all the trinkets and seaside resorts just won’t make you happy. But Edna did choose this marriage partner, even though she knew she didn’t love him. In fact, the "loves" of her life prior were not real relationships but merely fantasies and girlhood crushes.
So she wakes up one day and wants to feel those passions again. Gives up all she has to find the freedom of expression that society withholds because of its emphasis on male supremacy and the happy, doting wife and mother image–which Edna just doesn’t want to keep up anymore.
Chopin’s writing is fine, not particularly beautiful or exploratory, but nicely paced producing a strong story arc and a sense of conflict within the character herself–which I feel to be more the theme rather than a woman against society. She has quite a bit of freedom, more so than many other women of her time, and a caring husband who would likely take the time away from his business matters to discuss her unhappiness–though just as likely he wouldn’t understand or do more than make allowances to compromise.
As mentioned in a prior post, I find Edna to be not so put upon to take such drastic measures, nor so sensitive to anyone other than herself to comprehend what she is doing. In fact, I think that Edna’s friend, Mademoiselle Reisz hints at the weakness she sees in her friend:
"I do not know you well enough to say. I do not know your talent or yuour temperament. To be an artist includes much; one must possess many gifts–absolute gifts–which have not been acquired by one’s own effort. And, moreover, to succeed, the artist must possess the courageous soul." (p. 106)
Chopin’s Edna does not. Her freedom is based upon one man, Robert, than another, Arobin, rather than her own self-esteem. When they fail her, she falls.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology