Departure and Confession

As this novel slowly unravels the mysterious development of Edna Pontellier's complex character, an unexpected twist is added to her fate. Robert has suddenly decided to leave for Mexico. As shocking as it is to everybody, the most surprised is poor Edna, who never suspected that her dear Robert would so abruptly decide to leave her, without even bothering to inform her previously. As it had been previously discussed, Edna has shown an evident weakness towards Robert, and despite the fact that she is married, it seems that their "friendship" could be a little closer than appropriate.

Anybody could wonder what Mr. Pontellier might think about this, but his perspective on the issue is yet to be presented. His character seems to be standing on the background, as is his status of husband in Edna's mind.

The interesting part of this is that everybody seems to be aware of the situation. When Robert announces his news, everybody turns to Edna, aware that she will be the most affected by Robert's departure. "Do you miss your friend greatly?"(91), is the question everybody asks her. The truth is that she really does. She was greatly shocked with the news, and when he came over to say good-bye, she was very upset with him. After he left, all she could do was cry, realizing that once again, she was being left behind. She didn't care about the past, and the future was too mysterious for her to ponder about. All she cared for was the present, which was there "to torture her...with the biting conviction that she had lost that which she had held, that she had been denied that which her impassioned, newly awakened being demanded" (90).  This realization, more than a confession of love, is a testament of Edna's developing being, which was stirred into awakening by her passion for Robert.

Left with the bitter taste of resentment and loss, Edna Pontellier is finally aware of her love for Robert. The question that is yet to be answered is does this love have a future? So many obstacles lie between Edna and her precious Robert. Aside from his absence, there's also the problem of the marriage (though this doesn't seem to worry Edna at all), and the possibility that Robert doesn't feel the same way towards her. The answers to these problems will hopefully be revealed as the summer ends and the Pontelliers go back to New Orleans.