Several times in her first few days at the bakery Edie thinks she should return home. Why does she stay, do you believe?
I believe part of her desire to stay on was the new life she was attempting to embark on, the relationships she was developing with the patrons and the sense of community around the bakery.
I agree with Laurie, despite Mme Moreaux stand-offishness, Edith is finding a place in a community and she’s enjoying that–she’s rarely had any social life at all and so actually interacting with people and finding confidence in her ability to relate to them is motivation.
Edie came looking for something and I don’t think she would admit defeat so quickly. Returning home would not help her find herself. She did enjoy the customers and the environment of the bakery.
I think there is enough warmth and acceptance that Edie feels it is worth a real try at this new life! I have always felt some doubts when embarking on something new but know change means taking some chances and sometimes feeling uneasy. Maybe Edie felt that way too.
She stays as she does not want to give up, but to give her new life a go to see where it brings her.
I think she is unwilling to admit, even to herself, that she flew off without giving a real thought to what she would do. Returning would be admitting she made a mistake. Returning would also be going back to the unhappiness and sorrow over the loss of her mother. It would mean she had given up on life.
I think Edie decided to stay because she came with a purpose that she wanted to fulfill.
I absolutely agree with you. She couldn’t possibly return so soon. It would look like a mistake and she didn’t want to go back home and admit it to herself or her father and friend.
I believe that Edie wanted to prove to herself that she can make it on her own. Throughout her life, we took the easier route, staying home, working a little and caring for her mom. The death of her mom was the nudge for her to leave the nest.