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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. Edna and Robert finally kiss. Who made the first move?

2. Why does Edna cry when she listens to Mademoiselle Reisz play the piano?

3. As Edna walks on the beach, what does she realize about Robert?

4. What does Edna receive with her husband's letter of disapproval?

5. How does Mr. Pontellier take the news of his wife's move?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Is the dinner party a grand affair?

4. Why does Edna enjoy horse racing so much?

5. Describe how Edna feels once she is truly alone.

6. Why does Madame Ratignolle urge Edna to think of her children?

7. Is the Colonel, Edna's father, right to think that if she and her husband spent more time together in the evenings at home, they would have a stronger marriage?

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

9. In addition to her move, what occasion is the group celebrating?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

From the beginning the author portrays Leonce Pontellier in a negative light. But is he a truly a bad or evil person? Or is he just being the typical traditional southern man? Does he believe that he is being unfair or mean toward Edna?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Alcee call Edna's new home the "pigeon-house"? Is the term symbolic in any way?

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 723 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample