Mackenzie’s Comments (group member since Feb 08, 2022)

Mackenzie’s comments from the AP Literature and Composition (SHHS) group.

1. Characters introduced into the chapters play a large role in their marriage, as Léonce asks for advice from both the Colonel as well as Doctor Mandelet. Men in this story have the same ideas and views on women in society and push for social roles as well. Edna and the Colonel have a lot of tension between them because he is her father and pushing her to go to her sisters' wedding. This is stressful for Edna and pushes her further away from her family. The doctors' advice to Léonce also pushes Edna away from her husband as she wants space and freedom.

Taylor wrote: "A driving conflict in the novella is the one between Edna's awakening and the expectations of women in society. As Edna begins to realize her freedom and expresses her independence, she realizes th..." I agree that Edna's awakening is a driving factor for the plot of the novella. Her and her husband want opposite things in their marriage. Edna wants freedom in her marriage and feels that her marriage and children have become a burden to her. Leonce wants the societal expectation of a marriage, like the rest of the families around them. This disconnect in their wants leaves Edna with only one option- to leave.

Ian wrote: "One of the driving conflicts in the story is the relationship between Edna and her husband Leonce. Leonce wants Edna to be a wife that adores him and he wants her to be more attentive to him and th..." I completely agree with you, Ian. I think that one of the main forces that drives Edna away from Leonce is the disconnect between their wants and needs in a marriage. Edna struggles with the societal expectations that men have for women (Leonce being one) and just wants to have freedom. Leonce wants a picture-perfect household, which they do have on the outside, but on the inside, their marriage and family are crumbling beneath them. Edna's awakening plays a large role in this, as she wants the complete opposite of her husband.

A driving conflict of the novella is largely due to Edna's epiphany about her role in her family as well as her new love interest in Robert. Edna begins to realize from the start of the story that she is unhappy with the position she has taken on in her marriage, as she does not love Mr. Pontillier any longer and finds taking care of her children is a chore. She is not passionate about her life in many ways and projects her feelings towards Robert. Robert is a playboy, as he flirts with women and uses them- with the slight attention he gives to Edna she begins to fall for him. They have been friends for a long time, but these feelings begin to overcome her; in chapter 16 she expresses her feelings after he left, her feeling melancholy and even jealous, despite never being with him romantically. Robert's character takes hold on Edna, and this hold drives her actions and pushes her to a selfish route to who she wants to be. His character is incredibly important to the story, as his departure causes Edna to be more in touch with her emotions and she begins to start a new path. Without his character, she would have no interests outside of her marriage, those of which push her away from her family. I think if Robert wasn't in the picture, she wouldn't have as strong of a desire to take selfish actions in the future and leave her current life.