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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Edna ask the little Negro girl to wake up?

2. When Edna cannot find Mademoiselle Reisz, who does she go to for help?

3. Was Edna a good swimming student?

4. Who approaches Mr. Pontellier underneath a white sunshade?

5. Why are there no recent adult photographs of Robert at his mother's home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Edna's feelings when she learns Robert is leaving for Mexico.

2. Why does Edna throw such a violent fit after Leonce takes off to have dinner at the club?

3. If Edna were to tell Leonce how she really felt, would he understand? Would he listen? How would she tell him so it would get through to him?

4. What is the first thing that Edna wonders after she wakes up at Madame Antoine's?

5. What do we learn is different about Mrs. Pontellier from the other wives who summer at the Grande Isle?

6. What is it about the ocean that emboldens Edna?

7. What is the first impression the author gives of Mr. Pontellier?

8. How does Chopin use foreshadowing in this chapter to warn of events to come?

9. What do you think the author means when she says Edna was beginning to understand her place in the universe as a woman and as a human being?

10. Chopin uses the image of water as a symbol for what?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dr. Mandelet is also an important character in this story. Why? Why does Leonce feel more at ease opening up about his marital problems with the doctor than confronting Edna directly about their difficulties?

Essay Topic 2

The story begins at Grand Isle and ends there. Why?

Essay Topic 3

Is The Awakening a critique of women's stature in the late 19th century? Was Kate Chopin taking a risk by writing this at the time she did?

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This section contains 835 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample