I think that the character of Edna is able to seperate herself from the role of the "mother-woman" by having a mind of her own. Back in the time period that this story takes place in, women were characterized as being more or less an extension of their husbands. The husband is the one the made all the decisions in their wife's life which was socially excepted in that time period.
In the case of Edna, she begins to question this setting that she supposedly was in some way forced into which causes her mind to find herself as a human being. These questions find answers with in simple everyday experiences such as the sights and sounds of the ocean and the listening of her friend Mandamoiselle Reisz play the piano. These experiences cause an awakening inside of Edna that begin to bring out her individuality. This individuality is also represented in the story through her art work, as the story goes on, and Edna seems to become more and more aware of herself, her art strarts to represent this awakening.
The love that she develops for Robert is also a representation of her new lease on life. she found a man that truly made her happy. That stirred a passion in her that she never felt before. So, she held on to that. This also seemed to be a main catalyst in her changing.
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