Eros Vs. Thanatos In The Awakening

Edna's relationship with Robert and Arobin can not only be viewed as an expression of her sexual drive but also as an expression of her Thanatos. As mentioned before in chapter 3.1. her outer-marital relationship have a destructive character to them. It is true that, in a way, they embody her growing independence, but they also destroy her marriage and her family. It is not easy to say, however, whether her relationships with Robert and Arobin more influenced by Eros or Thanatos. In this case the two instances seem to be working together. According to Freud the mind is more balanced when Eros and Thanatos are more ---, but in Edna's case it seems to have a rather dissenting effect on her mind. Both relationships have negative sides to them. While they can be seen in a more positive way as well, when they are looked upon as a reaction to Eros, they seem to have a more negative character in relation to Thanatos.

Although Edna's relationship to Arobin is only a little episode in her life, her love for Robert has a very dark and intense outcome.

It influences her heavily. One could say that, as a consequence of Robert's love, she kills herself. This is supported by the fact that the last thing she says before she loses consciousness is “because I love you.” The question is now whether her death is actually self-destructive behavior or could be seen as the last step in creating her true self. She fully takes control. Among scholars it is argued that Edna's death can be interpreted in different ways. One of these interpretations would be a sort of giving up, because eventually she realizes that she cannot be what society wants her to be and therefore removes herself from said society. On the other hand, it could be seen as her final move of independence, the only way she could be free; her final act of freedom. Like mentioned before, both Eros and Thanatos can be applied to these interpretations but it is open to the reader to decide which one it eventually

is.