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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 is Léonce Pontellier?

2. Who is Mademoiselle Reisz?

3. Where does Edna grow up?

4. How does Edna feel when her children go to stay with their grandmother and Léonce is in New York?

5. For what does Edna yearn?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene between Robert and Edna at the cafe.

2. What do Edna and her father do when he visits and how does Léonce respond?

3. Where does Robert decide to go and how does Edna react?

4. What is Edna's life like in New Orleans?

5. Why does Edna decide to move into a smaller house and what does the staff call the house?

6. What happens when Edna goes to be with Madame Ratignolle as she is having her baby?

7. What does Mademoiselle Reisz show and tell Edna concerning Robert?

8. What happens when Edna visits Madame Lebrun?

9. What happens between Robert and Edna by the end of Chapter 35?

10. What does the creature finally do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Creole culture and the culture of the United States at that time in general in the late 1800s is fertile ground for sexism. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research the existence of sexism in the South and the United States and analyze The Awakening and one other short story for its accuracy and/or inaccuracy in its portrayal of sexism.

2. Trace and analyze the theme of sexism throughout The Awakening. Who are the most obvious sexist? Who are perhaps subtly sexist? Are any of the characters free of sexism? Who? Why do you say so?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of sexism in three of the short stories. Who are the most obvious sexist? Who are perhaps subtly sexist? Are any of the characters free of sexism? Who? Why do you say so?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Awakening.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Awakening. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Awakening. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, a novel is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think The Awakening is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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