Edna's only excuse is that she is seeking independence, she wants to make her own decisions unhindered by the opinions or influence of others. Chopin shows this desire when she says, "She began to do as she liked and to feel as she liked." (pg 56) This attitude brought about even greater changes in Edna's life, including a new career, which she abandoned her household duties to pursue against the wishes(or influence) of her husband. Edna's change seems to be a permanent one; in fact she dies with, and because of, this new perspective of hers.