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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. How does Mrs. Baroda feel when she speaks to Gouvernail?

2. How does Gabriel die?

3. Where does Mrs. Sommers go after the store?

4. Who is dead at the opening of the story?

5. What does Mr. Sublet want the 'Cadian man to do?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Mr. Sublet change his attitude towards Evariste?

3. What is the difference between Calixta and Clarissa?

4. How does Calixta become involved with Alcée Laballière?

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

6. How does Mrs. Baroda's feelings alter towards Gouvernail and what does she do?

7. Why does Elizabeth lose her job at the post office?

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

9. What does Elodie learn while at a wedding reception?

10. Why does Armand withdraw from Désirée?

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

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

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.

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