As the story continues, the importance of the sea that is near where all the characters live is being shown more often. Not only that, but Mrs. Pontellier also starts going more into her past and what events were key in the shaping of her current position. The point where this glass breaks is when Mrs. Pontellier tells Madame Ratignolle of how the sea reminds her of when she was younger in Kentucky and would traverse a field of tall grass that was like an ocean to her.
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| Note: This picture is hardly relevant |
This small anecdote then gathers great importance when Pontellier mentions that she was “running away from prayers” (40). This gives a sort of reason for her actions of swimming from the grass, actions which Pontellier later defines as done “idly, aimlessly, unthinking and unguided” (41). It might sound like she is contradicting herself, but when one thinks about it she is making complete sense. Isn’t a big aspect of religion being a guide to how you should live your life? The Bible is filled with rules that the church imposes you with. Then it makes sense that, by running away from religion, Pontellier is being aimless, unthinking, and unguided. The grass field in Kentucky is basically a symbolization of escaping oppression. This is probably why Pontellier is now longing for that same feeling. She is in need of running away from oppression. Oppression that is no longer caused by religion but by being a woman or by her kids. Pontellier wants to be free again. Desire that explains her strange recent attitude.
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