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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 are Bobinôt and his son, four-year-old Bibi, waiting out a storm?

2. What does Désirée do with herself and her baby?

3. Who breaks the news gently to a loved one of the accident?

4. Who has a weak heart?

5. Where does Mr. Brightman go for a meeting?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the difference between Calixta and Clarissa?

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

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

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

5. Why does Armand withdraw from Désirée?

6. What does Désirée do after Armand tells her to leave?

7. How does Calixta become involved with Alcée Laballière?

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

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

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

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 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 3

The Creole culture and the culture of the United States at that time in general in the late 1800s is fertile ground for sexism. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research the existence of sexism in the South and the United States and analyze The Awakening and one other short story for its accuracy and/or inaccuracy in its portrayal of sexism.

2. Trace and analyze the theme of sexism throughout The Awakening. Who are the most obvious sexist? Who are perhaps subtly sexist? Are any of the characters free of sexism? Who? Why do you say so?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of sexism in three of the short stories. Who are the most obvious sexist? Who are perhaps subtly sexist? Are any of the characters free of sexism? Who? Why do you say so?

(see the answer keys)

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