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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. What does Armand's mother say in a letter to Armand's father?

2. Who does Calixta allow to shelter in her home?

3. Why is Elizabeth fired from her job?

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

5. How much advance payment does Sublet give the 'Cadian man?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the difference between Calixta and Clarissa?

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

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

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

5. How does Athénaïse develop a relationship with Gouvernail?

6. Why does Armand withdraw from Désirée?

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

8. How does Calixta become involved with Alcée Laballière?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

The Awakening could be said to be a "bildungsroman" of Edna Pontellier, the narrator. Discuss the following:

1. Define the concepts "bildungsroman" and "coming of age."

2. Thoroughly trace and analyze The Awakening as a bildungsroman of Edna Pontellier. Give specific examples. What does Edna learn? How has she changed? Is the change for the better?

3. Thoroughly trace and analyze Athénaïse as a coming of age story. Give specific examples. What does Athénaïse learn? How has she changed? Is the change for the better?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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