By actually swimming, she gains control. In page seventeen, Chopin states "she was like the little tottering, stumbling, clutching child, who of a sudden realizes its powers, and walks for the first time alone, boldly and with over-confidence." She realizes her own strength and independence. In chapter XII, she awoke again after the argument with her husband. It was different from the first time. In this time, instead of crying, she put displeasure to action and asked Robert to go to the island with her. She could do something rather than just crying because from the swimming, she got a little courage and a little independence to decide what to do and do what she wants to do by her. .
After Edna's long nap in the island, she felt this summer is different from any and every summer of her life and she herself was also different from other self in some way. This is because Robert gives her the chance to discover herself. However, Robert decides to leave for Mexico. And Edna "recognized anew the symptoms of infatuation (Chopin, 45)" for the first time. She realized her feelings for Robert for the first time and she admitted it to herself. .
After Robert left for Mexico, Edna became more independent. She went out on Tuesday afternoon, cook by herself, and so on. However, these made her husband think she is not her. Actually, Edna was becoming herself by doing what she likes to do. But "he could not see that she was becoming herself (Chopin, 57).".
Arobin is introduced to the story. Because of him, Edna started to go to horse races that at the time, women merely went to such gambling place. And she became more independent. And she was enjoying her independence and freedom. Moreover, she moved to the new house called the pigeon house and sent her children to her mother in law. While she was enjoying her freedom and independence, she knew she was alone.
In chapter XXXV, Edna reaches her full "awakening" by hopelessness for several nights waiting for Robert.