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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 the doctor advise Elizabeth to spend the winter?

2. What does the postcard say that Elizabeth Stock read?

3. Who is Gouvernail?

4. Why does Mrs. Baroda tell her husband she is going to visit some relatives?

5. What is the reason Cazeau tells his wife that he married her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Louise Mallard learn and how does she learn of it?

2. How does Mrs. Baroda feel towards Gourvernail at the opening of the story, and what does she do as a result?

3. What does Gabriel tell Tnate Elodie and what does she say in response?

4. What changes everything for Athénaïse and what does she do?

5. What does Mr. Sublet ask Evariste Bonamour and what Sublet give Evariste?

6. What does Clarisse do when she learns Alcée is going to see Calixta and why does she do what she does?

7. How does Athénaïse develop a relationship with Gouvernail?

8. How does Louise Mallard respond to the news?

9. What does Alcée write to his wife and what is her response?

10. How does Elizabeth help Mr. Brightman?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation whereby Edna's husband tells her she is safe when she swims out too far because he is watching her versus when Edna takes her last swim alone. Discuss the use of irony in two of the short stories.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of five symbols found in The Awakening.

3. Discuss the use of and meaning of five symbols found in three of the short stories.

4. Discuss the use of foreshadowing in literature. What is the purpose of foreshadowing? Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how it is used to indicate events to come in The Awakening and/or several of the short stories.

Essay Topic 2

Often titles reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be? Or should it be?

2. The Awakening seems to suggest someone has awakened who was asleep. Discuss this title and the theme behind it.

3. If you were the writer of The Awakening and your editor says the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

4. Discuss the titles of two of the short stories and their meanings in the context of the story. Evaluate the effectiveness of the title.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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