Edna's Ultimate Choice - the Reisz Independent Woman or the Ratignolle Traditional Woman

Edna’s Ultimate Choice:

The Reisz Independent Woman or the Ratignolle Traditional Woman

In Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, the main character, Edna Pontellier ultimately chooses to end her life because of her inability to choose between two societal roles. While attempting to discover her “true self”, Mrs. Pontellier becomes deeply conflicted by the two different ideals and values of Madame Ratignolle and Mademoiselle Reisz. Madame Ratignolle depicts the traditional Creole woman of the time, who is beautiful, charming, and devotes herself to her family and husband. On the other hand, Mademoiselle Reisz is self-assertive and extremely passionate about her own aspirations. An introverted Edna Pontellier struggles with her desire to obtain both of these women’s characteristics and realizes that she cannot strictly adhere to either of these roles without compromising the other. Believing that there is no way to satisfy herself and conform to traditional values, Mrs. Pontellier sees no other solution than to commit suicide.

Adèle Ratignolle’s character serves as the image of the ideal and conventional Creole woman that Edna knows she should emulate. Unlike Edna, Madame Ratignolle is content with her role as a mother and dedicated wife and tries to help Edna conform to the “mold”. Madame Ratignolle’s friendly candidness and charisma attracts Edna and initially spurs her to question her reserved ways. In fact, Chopin writes, “The excessive physical charm of the Creole had first attracted her, for Edna had a sensuous susceptibility to beauty. Then the candor of the woman’s whole existence, which every one might read, and which formed so striking a contrast to her own habitual reserve—this might have furnished a link (Chopin 14).” This excerpt brings light to the notion that Edna envies Madame Ratignolle’s ability to be happy and open with her feelings. When Chopin writes “this might have furnished a link”, she most likely elucidates that Edna tries to acquire the qualities of Madame Ratignolle that Edna desires in herself. Edna’s inner thoughts, however, differ greatly from those of Madame Ratignolle. Never before having allowed her feelings and thoughts to be heard, Edna does not know how to contain or control them. Edna does, in fact, adopt some traits that Madame Ratignolle (and the traditional Creole woman) embodies and opens herself up to her friend. She reveals to Madame Ratignolle on one occasion that she would never sacrifice herself for her children. Edna says, “I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn’t give myself. I can’t make it more clear; it’s only something which I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me (Chopin 46).” By saying this, Edna shows that she differs from the mother-woman Ratignolle image that