"I love you, only you, no one but you. It was you who awoke me last summer out of a life-long, stupid dream. Oh! you have made me so unhappy with your indifference. Oh! I have suffered, suffered! Now you are here we shall love each other, my Robert. We shall be everything to each other. Nothing else in the world is of any consequence."".
Thus, Edna Pontellier reveals what she has battled to oppress. She leaves her inhibition in the dust by proclaiming openly the passion of her heart. Leading up to this declaration, Edna must sacrifice her "life."" Afterwards, she sacrifices her "health."".
Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, centers on Edna Pontellier and her journey. In the novel, Edna sheds her fazade and decides to follow her heart's desire.
Initially, Edna marries her husband, Leonce Pontellier, with her head, and, for a while, she seems content. Leonce showers her with adulation and provides her with material bliss. However, an encounter with the charming Robert Lebrun ignites the hidden passion locked in Edna's heart: a passion so intense that it reduces Edna to tears in the darkness of night. This is the genesis of Edna's epic internal conflict. A war erupts within her: a battle between head and heart. Edna is forced to choose between Robert and her family. In the ultimate decision, Edna follows the path of her blazing heart's desire. The flames of love quickly consume her, and the presence of Robert invades her every thought. Edna's decision stands in stark contrast to the standards of the typical "mother-women- of the time. In several ways, her decision is one composed of pure selfishness. She leaves no consideration for her husband or children. She fails miserably in performing the duties of the mother. However, this does not necessarily mean that Edna is feeble or cowardly. It shows her inherent strength. In her conversation with Madame Ratignolle, Edna shows that she cares for both her children and husband.
