represented more than a new love, he represented a new way of life, a new beginning, and Edna’s hope of a true “awakening”. The failure of her relationship with Robert makes Edna realize that she will never be able to live the life that she wants to live. Edna will never be able to escape from her feelings of oppression from her marriage no matter what house she may live in. She will never be able to be a “mother-woman” as everyone expects of her, and she will never truly be “free” as she wishes she may be. Edna realizes that happiness for her will not result from a new house, or her painting, or even her love for Robert, but instead will be much more difficult for her to obtain. It is this realization, as well as the oppression she feels from her marriage and the suppression she feels from her children that lead Edna to commit suicide, for she realizes that is the only way she will truly be able to escape her troublesome life.Edna Ponteillier’s suicide at the end of The Awakening is a result of her failed attempt at a new life. Edna’s suicide was her last resort, and was simply a way to escape from the troubles that resulted from the unhappiness she felt with her life. Edna’s suicide was not representative of the final stage of her “awakening”, but was merely an escape from the oppression she felt from her husband, the suppression she felt from her children, and from her failed relationship with Robert...
