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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. Upon whom does Athénaïse begin to depend for companionship?

3. Who has just been killed in a railroad accident?

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

5. Upon what is Mrs. Sommers focused?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. How does Elizabeth help Mr. Brightman?

6. What is the difference between Calixta and Clarissa?

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

8. What does Mrs. Sommers receive and what does she plan to do with it?

9. How does Athénaïse develop a relationship with Gouvernail?

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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