She starts a new life in her "pigeon house- and is spending more and more time with Alca©e, a man who is known to get around. Although the two do not fall in love, he helps her realize her sexual potential. During the fling with Alca©e, thoughts of Robert never stray far from her mind. When Robert returns from Mexico Edna has an awkward encounter with him at Mademoiselle Reisz's home. Everyone in the room knew that they still had strong feelings for each other. After having a few more dates, Edna and Robert declare their love for one another. Being called to her friend Adele's house to help her with the delivery of her baby, was not a great experience for Edna; at this time, motherhood was entrapping and hard for her to deal with. After returning to her "pigeon house- Edna finds a note in place of Robert, he has left her and will not be returning because he loves her so much. Edna in a state of anger, sadness, and being unaware leaves her house and finds herself wanting to take a swim at Grand Isle. As she goes out into the ocean her mind is flooded with memories. Here is a quote from the book right before Edna kills herself, .
"The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in the abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation. The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch of the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close, embrace-(Chopin 477).
So many memories and emotions overwhelm her body and mind that she swims out too far into the ocean and submits to her memories, and to drowning. Kate Chopin uses many different themes in her writing, all of them different yet very much alike. When Edna gains her independence and breaks the "bonds- of the way Victorian women should act she is only isolating herself. Being liberal in a conservative society and keeping all of your old friends is impossible.