argument after reading a book

Suicide is perceived to be an act of cowardice where one takes the easy way out of the struggles of life. Edna's decision to give herself to the sea after rejection by Robert who she saw as a partner in her quest for independence could be a decision she took because of the solitude that this left her in. She had fought for her freedom and in the process giving up her family but she could not handle the loss of Robert and hence the decision to kill herself. However, her choice to die could have been her option for ultimate independence. The argument that Edna committed suicide because she was a coward is wrong because of the way she handled it. First traveling back to her place of awakening and then walking into the waters to drown herself cannot be seen as an act of cowardice but rather, an act of courage.

The story of Edna well illustrates the relationship between solitude and independence. Before her awakening, Edna had a husband, children, and friends this being the perfect components of social life. Her rebirth comprised of her discovery of emotional and sexual desires that led to breaking of her marriage. Her desires pushed her into seeking independence from her husband and her family, leading to castigation by the society. By being independent, neither her husband or the community around her could understand her, leading to her feeling of loneliness.

Independence is not a virtue that the society accepts as it means one has to stop subscribing to socially accepted the lifestyle. The decision of Edna to move away from the Victorian life that made her a housewife and a property of her husband severed her connection with her society. Her rejection is seen in the behavior of her husband, the doctor, and friends as they expressed their concerns with her change in lifestyle. To achieve real independence, Edna had to abandon her expected behaviors entirely and since the society could not forgive her for doing so, her only way of escape was suicide.

Independence and Morality are conflicting, and often, people find themselves caught between the two. Edna was in love with Robert, and she believed that he was the perfect companion for her in the awakening journey. The role that Robert had played in the initial stages of the awakening had made Edna misinterpret his resolve in helping her gain full independence. However, in the note that he left for Edna, it is clear that his resolve was not firm enough to side with her and instead, he had decided to do what was morally right. By Robert leaving, Edna was alone in her quest for independence; it was her against the world. She had no one else to support her independence quest, and therefore he opted to seek the other way out of the society that misunderstood her.

In conclusion, death was the only way for Edna to be free from the societal expectations. The journey to independence directly conflicted the way of life of the society, and hence they could not accept the new person that Edna was becoming. Robert played a crucial role in the development of Edna into an independent woman, but he had to pick either independence or social morality. Edna's changed perception of life created a big gap between her and her husband and friends. Her option to commit suicide was her way of completing the quest for independence from the society that misunderstood her perception of life.

Question:

1. Do you think Independence and Morality are conflicting?

2. For you, what means independent？

3. Do you think Edna must suicide?

Work Cited

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Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. United States: Cricket House Books, 2010. Print.

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