Revelation

This reading of The Awakening was very unexpected. Robert has apparently decided to leave to Mexico, after spending a very nice livelong day with Mrs. Pontellier. She is informed by her friends about his journey, as he took the decision to part away without telling her a single word beforehand.  I found this very amusing, since my predictions were that Edna and Robert would have some sort of hidden love relationship in a place where no one could find them. 

In this reading, all these thoughts were emitted. I literally never expected this to happen. Mrs. Pontellier keeps denying to herself that she has a special attachment towards Robert. When he announced that he was leaving, Edna reacted instantly and "sardonically",(p.84) avoided saying goodbye to Robert, which he finally did himself. When he parted, they seemed very moved and when she says that she was hoping to see him in the city, he agrees and blurted out "perhaps thats the-".(p.89) I think he meant to say, "perhaps that is the reason why I want to leave, since I am so willing to see you that I am afraid to fall in something with you". 

The fact that the only thing that Edna talks about is Robert, as she said that his "going had some way taken the meaning out of everything"(p.91), seems like a revelation to me. What surprised me the most was that after this change, Mrs. Pontellier seems to be finding her role in her own life. She does not follow her routine and cancelled her usual reception that Tuesday, by which Mr. Portlier scorned at her that evening. He left, disgusted at the food and by everything around him, which seems as a usual reaction from him at this point, and leaves Edna alone at the table. She did not mind at first, though later breaks a vase with frustration. 

Even though she did not have to do this, I feel that she is finally having some control over her own life.  Edna also mentioned earlier that she never wanted to "sacrifice herself for anyone but herself"(p.94), but in the end that is exactly what she has been doing all her life. The fact that Edna has never gone out of her routines, done anything to make her life better, or created some sort of affection towards someone (except Robert), makes it clear that she has been dedicated to everything but herself. 

After these acts, I predict that she will decide her way and ignore most of her husbands thoughts. I frankly hope she does. It seems like she is so lost inside her ignored frustrations, known only by her subconscious self, that if she does not do something to release her true self and feelings, she will affect everything she is. 

Sardonic: characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering