Final answer:
Edna Pontellier's moral ambiguity is significant because it serves as a focal point for discussions on morality, freedom, and societal expectations of women in the novel, thereby enriching its thematic complexity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The moral ambiguity of Edna Pontellier is significant to the work as a whole because it highlights the tension between society's expectations and individual desires within the context of late 19th-century America. Her actions and choices exhibit a defiance of traditional roles and societal norms, which stir both empathy and disapproval in the audience. This ambiguity serves to provoke thought and discussion about the nature of morality, freedom, and the struggle for self-definition, which are central themes of the novel. Through her complex character, the author successfully challenges readers to consider the societal constraints on women and to question what constitutes a moral life.