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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. What does Edna promise Madame Ratignolle?

2. What does Mr. Pontellier want?

3. What does Léonce think he has learned by Edna's interaction with her father?

4. What does Madame Ratignolle tell Edna to remember?

5. What warms the character?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Mildred's first meeting with the "farm worker."

3. How is Edna's life changing?

4. What does Edna learn when she returns from Chênière Caminada?

5. What does Robert confess when he and Edna go back to the pigeon house and what is Edna's response?

6. How does Léonce Pontellier treat his sunburned wife?

7. What happens when the cage door is left open by accident one day?

8. What story does Edna tell and how does she explain knowing of the story?

9. What happens when Edna visits Madame Lebrun?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss one of the following in relation to The Awakening:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Edna Pontellier and Adèle Ratignolle. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Is either woman's beliefs more worthy than the other? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Leonce Pontellier and Robert LeBrun. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Setting as far as place and time play an important role in The Awakening and many of Chopin's short stories. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast several aspects of the setting of that time (late 1800s) from how it would be today. Consider things such as cultural norms/expectations, technology, religion and medicine.

2. Do you The Awakening or any of the short stories would be different if it were set in another state in the United States, such as California, in that same era? Consider particularly the fact that Creole people often have a strong identification with the area around New Orleans.

3. What issues that are present in the time of The Awakening would still be issues today? What would no longer be issues? Consider such things as class, racism, alcoholism, sexual freedom, rugged individualism and integrity.

Essay Topic 3

Many authors write numerous works of fiction that differ in plot and detail, but which often treat the same ideas over and over. Discuss the following:

1. What is one theme/idea that exists in at least three of Chopin's works in this collection? Compare and contrast how the theme is treated among the three pieces.

2. Compare/contrast two of Chopin's short stories for their similarities and differences. Does Chopin seem more sympathetic towards women or men? Or is there any pattern? Do you think Chopin endorses the cultural expectations of the day? why or why not.

3. Most of Chopin's works are short stories and two short novels (or novelettes). Why do you think Chopin chooses to write in the short story genre? Compare/contrast the challenges of writing a longer novel versus a short story. Which would you prefer to read? Write? Why?

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