Just Keep Swimming ♬

"She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before," and that is exactly what Edna does. Realizing how 'easy' it is, she goes more and more away from shore, until she is suddenly struck by the fear that she might have come too far and that she might not have the strength to make it back. But she makes it anyways.

The moment of truth.

Edna has finally become 'independent', separate from the social constraints put on her. This moment of swimming far out symbolizes her freedom and shows her confidence in her newfound self-awareness. However, the fear that something might go wrong is still present, and Edna might not have had the full realization yet.

The effects of this recent awakening can be seen a bit later, at night, when Mr. Pontellier asks Edna to come in. Edna downright refuses. She states that at any other 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, as we walk, move, sit, stand, go through the saily treadmill of the life which has been portioned out to [women]." This irritates Mr. Pontellier, who continuously asks Edna to come in and is refused every time. Edna makes herself clear, saying that she will not answer him back if she is talked to in a commanding way again. Later, when Edna cannot hold back the sleep any longer, she goes in and asks Mr. Pontellier to come in, and he replies that he will, after finishing his cigar.

This scene not only shows a different, transformed Edna from before, but it also indicates that Mr. Pontellier cannot really do anything about it. In the end, however, Edna goes to sleep, and when she asks Mr. Pontellier whether he will come in, he says he will, later. This implies that Edna doesn't have the choice of going to bed at the time she wants to, while Mr. Pontellier does.

Although the oppresion continues, the change has begun.


Change.

Speaking of change, I shall be calling Mr. Pontellier by the name 'Leonce' from now and on. Mr. Pontellier is way too long. And formal.

AIWBB