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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. Why does Edna not want to go abroad?

2. What is a griffe?

3. Where will Edna move?

4. What is a mulatresse?

5. Describe the nature of Robert's and Edna's conversation:

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the photo of Alcee Arobin upset Robert so much when he goes back to the pigeon-house with her?

2. Do you think Edna's feelings were Robert were genuine?

3. Why does Edna call her move and dinner party a "coup d'etat"?

4. After her disappointing evening with Robert, what does Edna initially do?

5. Why does Mr. Pontellier talk to Dr. Mandelet about Edna? Why can he not talk to his wife himself?

6. Why did Robert not write to Edna from Mexico?

7. Why does Edna enjoy horse racing so much?

8. Is Leonce at all worried about the breakup of his marriage emotionally? Is he making arrangements to hide his real feelings?

9. Is the dinner party a grand affair?

10. Why does Edna feel strong and confident in the pigeon-house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think of the final moments in Edna's life? Was she a coward for taking her own life? Or, was she brave in making the final decision on how to conclude her life?

Essay Topic 2

How would you characterize this novel? Is it a piece of literary romanticism? Realism? Naturalism? Why?

Essay Topic 3

How does the author depict Edna's sense of being suffocated by the cultural restrictions on women in the 19th century? Do you think it is a fair assessment of how women lived during that time?

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