“I would abandon the superfluous; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children, but I would not give myself,” Edna admits. Unfortunately for Edna, she struggles throughout her short life trying to balance her family and love life. However, in the novel The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Edna Pontellier, the protagonist, struggles to conform to social norms and find her identity, leading to problems with her family, love life, and independence. Edna ultimately pays the price as she attempts to discover her identity, leading to complications with her family and marriage. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay During her marriage, she was unhappy with her role as a mother and wife. Edna finally realizes that she doesn't need to depend on anyone and that she is in control of her own freedom. Edna begins to move away from her role as a mother and wife and begins to focus more on her painting skills. During a visit to Madame Reisz, Edna tells Madame about her new career choice and Madame comments: “The artist must possess a courageous soul. The soul that dares and challenges.” By choosing to become an artist, Edna begins the process of finding her identity and independence. She then begins to become more herself by choosing what to do with her time instead of listening to her husband's orders. Léonce, Edna's husband, notices her evolving and changing, which begins to irritate him. He doesn't like how she abandons certain practices like having visitors because it hurts his business and working relationships. Léonce also does not understand why Edna disobeys him because he thinks that as his wife she should take care of the family and meet their needs. However, she feels that she is not fit to play the role of mother-wife, leading her to distance herself from her family as she realizes that she cannot live up to expectations as a mother or wife. She also sees the mother-wife lifestyle through Adèle and understands that it is not part of her identity. To Edna, Adele's life is unattractive and colorless. As Edna faces difficulties finding her identity, her family and love life also struggle. Obedience to social norms generates a feeling of confinement in Edna, creating struggles involving her family and love life. Edna finally got tired of always obeying her husband and finally said sharply: “Don't talk to me like that anymore; I won’t answer you.” Edna rejects the role of mother-wife by disobeying social norms and, unlike her husband, does not care how society perceives her. She notices this action when she writes a letter to Mr. Pontellier to tell him that she is moving and his response is to place an advert in the newspaper saying that they are going on vacation. This action gives her another reason why she should leave her husband and continue talking to Robert and Alcee. Even though society would blame Edna for cheating on her husband, she does not regret her choices and continues to defy social norms. Additionally, as a mother, Edna does not play a perfect role since she does not prioritize the needs of her children. Eventually, Edna leaves her family because she also feels like she can't help her children and give them what they need. While struggling to obey social norms, Edna creates problems within her family and in her marriage. As Edna searches for her identity, she makes important relationships that help her empower herself. Edna develops a relationship with Mademoiselle Reisz after having..