- In this chapter, instead of stamping on her ring and throwing vases, Edna simply begins to do whatever she pleases.
- For starters, Edna completely abandons the whole system of giving and receiving calls (which means making and accepting social visits).
- She works on her paintings instead of doing work around the house.
- Mr. Pontellier is bewildered and angered by her behavior. He decides that she must be becoming mentally unbalanced.
- What’s really going on? Edna is "finding herself."
- Her artistic endeavors are going well. She works with great energy, drawing on everyone in the household as models – her sons, their nurse, the parlor maid, etc.
- Sometimes she feels very happy, and other times she feels deeply depressed.
- In other words, Edna is learning that life is both glorious and tragic.