Print
Word
PDF
|
| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Though Edna has fallen from her high position in society, what does she feel has improved?
2. What is the opening setting for the novelette The Awakening?
3. Where does Edna plan to move?
4. What is the first kiss to which Edna has ever responded?
5. Who is Mademoiselle Reisz?
Short Essay Questions
1. What does Madame worry about concerning Robert and Edna?
2. Why does Edna decide to move into a smaller house and what does the staff call the house?
3. What happens when Mr. Pontellier arrives home at eleven?
4. Why does Edna go to Madame Antoine's home?
5. What does the creature finally do?
6. What does Madame Ratignolle ask of Edna and what does she think of the pigeon house?
7. Describe the scene when Victor upsets Edna.
8. Who is Robert LeBrun?
9. What does Edna find when she visits Mademoiselle Reisz and how does Edna react?
10. How does Léonce Pontellier treat his sunburned wife?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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 2
Edna commits suicide (presumably) at the end of the story, The Awakening. Discuss the following:
1. Trace and analyze five major events that leads up to Edna's suicide. Could any of them have been altered? What does each event contribute to Edna's fateful decision?
2. Suicide is often considered by people who feel they have no other options. Do you think Edna is at that point when she kills herself? What other options does Edna have (consider the times and culture in which Edna lives)?
3. Is Edna's suicide an act of courage? Stupidity? Selfishness? Do you hold her responsible for the impact her death will have on those who love her? How do you think they will be affected?
4. Do you think Edna's husband is partly to blame for the woman's problems? Why or why not?
Essay Topic 3
Any work of fiction has some similarities, yet the structure can engender differences. Discuss the following:
1. Compare/contrast how the structure of the novelette, The Awakening, informs the reading experience to how the structure of one of the short stories does the same.
2. Many readers love novels and are indifferent to short stories, and vice versa. Discuss why you think some readers would enjoy one format over another.
3. Choose a short, one-act play and compare it to one of the short stories as far as how structure affects the reading experience.
|
This section contains 1,052 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
|
