s not so" (Seyersted 134). Edna was young and naive. Their marriage was based solely on image and others, rather on the love between a woman and a man. The reader realizes their true relationship early in the story. Leonce, noting his wife's sunburn, conveys no concern for her pain and discomfort, but rather looks upon her, "as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property that has suffered some damage" (Chopin 44). Prior to the awakening, Edna accepted this way of life; she knew no other way.
             Within this passionless marriage, Edna also filled the role of the devoted mother. Motherhood was never her own choice; the decision was already made by culture and society. Society's expectations of motherhood simply stated, "if it was not a mother's place to look after children, whose on earth was it" (Chopin 7). Edna's identity, through the eyes of tradition, was a devoted wife and nurturing mother, but because she was too much of an individual she could not be this perfect mother. When the children are gone, she has a sense of relief. This is the first sign of her breaking from conformity. She declares, "I would give up the u
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