Edna Pontellier struggled with motherhood from the very beginning of the novel and this struggle followed her throughout. The most striking quote appears near the end of the novel:
“The children appeared before her like antagonists who had overcome her; who have overpowered and sought to drag her into the soul’s slavery for the rest of her days”
(Chopin 300)
I think that the author, Kate Chopin, chose to include this aspect of Edna’s hatred of motherhood and dislike of her children to prove the extent of entrapment that women can face within the traditional roles of women, mainly motherhood. I feel that the severity of her dislike for her children was a bit unnecessary. Although Edna did not wish to be a mother, her children, who are four and five years old, did nothing wrong and therefore do not deserve to be hated for putting Edna in a motherly role.
Some may say that Edna signed up for this life of motherhood by marrying and having children but in reality, there wasn’t another option for a woman in her community during that time. I understand this but when someone enters parenthood, they have a responsibility for their children, especially when they are so young. When a parent leaves, mother or father, it can significantly impact the children in a very negative way. Edna has a duty not as a woman but as a human being to care for her young children, even if she doesn’t love them or want any part in parenting.
Great American Novels 