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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. Where does Mildred want the farm worker who retrieves her papers to take her?

2. Where does Edna take her father when he visits?

3. Who is Madame Lebrun?

4. What happens when the character looks out from its home?

5. What does Mr. Pontellier learn one week about Edna's visitation day?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Edna find when she visits Mademoiselle Reisz and how does Edna react?

3. Why does Edna go to Madame Antoine's home?

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

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

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

7. Describe one of Edna's childhood crushes.

8. What does the letter say that Mildred receives from her family?

9. What does Madame Ratignolle ask of Edna and what does she think of the pigeon house?

10. Why do Edna and her husband argue and what does each do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel? What about a successful short story? Do the criteria for a successful piece of fiction differ between a novel and short story? Why or why not.

2. Analyze and discuss The Awakening based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Awakening is a successful novelette. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that The Awakening is a novelette changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

4. Analyze and discuss two short stories based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if each is successful as a piece of fiction. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

Essay Topic 3

The Awakening, as does several of the short stores ends on an unhappy or seemingly morbid note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Awakening and the short stories and whether or not Chopin's works fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Chopin's works are or are not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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