I really liked how Edna seemed to have a lot more agency in this section of the book. She was doing a lot of things that she actually wanted to be doing, like going to the jockey club and visiting Mademoiselle Reisz. Mr. Pontellier wasn’t in this section of the book as much and I thought it was interesting how much more open Edna was with people about being unhappy in her relationship with him not being there as much. She admits that she is happy when he is gone and says she wouldn’t want him around any more than he already is because they wouldn’t have anything to talk about. As much as I disagree with Mr. Pontellier’s morals and beliefs, I do feel bad for him in this section. When we do see him, he is concerned for Edna. While I also disagree with his concerns, it does seem to come from a place of caring. He seems to want her to “get better” throughout this whole section, while she is going behind his back to fawn over any possible letters from Robert and to kiss Arobin. While I like that she has more agency to explore what really makes her happy, I wish she would be more honest with her husband.
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