1.What features make The Awakening a "local color" story?
2.What customs and beliefs of Edna Pontellier's society are significant in relation to her psychological development?
3.What attitudes and tendencies in the Creole characters does Edna have trouble adjusting to?
4.Why did Edna marry Leonce? Is he the model husband?
5.What incidents in the novel reveal that he may not be a good husband for Edna?
6.How do Mlle. Reisz and Mme. Ratignolle function in relation to Edna and the novel's view of women as mothers and artists?
7.What kind of mother is Edna? What kind of artist is she?
8.How are the background characters such as the young lovers and the lady in black at the shore, significant in Edna's story?
9.In detail, explain how the flashbacks to Edna's past function. How does her father compare to the other men in her life?
10.How does the view of romantic love develop in the course of the novel? What is the doctor's view of marriage and childbearing?
11.Can you think of an emotional attachment and/or a romantic obsession you have studied in a previous work? How does that incident or character compare with Edna's emotional and romantic relationships?
12.What are the main images and symbols in the novel?
13.Why does Edna get involved with Alcee Arobin?
14.Why do you suppose critics were outraged at this novel in 1899, saying it committed "unutterable crimes against polite society" and should be labeled "poison" to protect "moral babes"?
15.What is your reaction to the end of the novel? Do you agree or disagree with the reasons for Edna's final action?
Sra is correct -- once you post what YOU THINK the correct responses are to these questions, someone here can help you.
Please note that many of these questions require YOU to draw conclusions of YOUR OWN after having read the book. Have you read it? If you haven't, you'd best get busy. If you have, these should be no problem to answer.
How does the view of romantic love develop in the course of the novel? What is the doctor's view of marriage and childbearing?
1. The fact that the story takes place in a small town.
2. Where women fit in to things.
5. Edna falls in love with Robert.
7. .Edna is a great artist that stoped for a whail but is getting back in to it.
To answer these questions, it is important to familiarize yourself with the novel "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin. Reading the novel or accessing summaries and analyses of the book would be a good starting point.
1. To determine what features make "The Awakening" a "local color" story, you should look for elements that reflect the unique customs, dialects, traditions, and landscapes of the specific region in which the story is set. Identify how the novel portrays the distinct characteristics of the people, culture, and setting that contribute to its local color.
2. Analyzing the customs and beliefs of Edna Pontellier's society is crucial in understanding her psychological development. Look for examples of societal expectations, gender roles, the treatment of women, and social constraints that impact Edna's thoughts, desires, and actions. Consider how these societal norms influence her personal growth and transformation throughout the story.
3. To identify the attitudes and tendencies in the Creole characters that Edna struggles to adjust to, pay attention to her interactions with them. Look for instances where their values, behaviors, and expectations clash with Edna's own beliefs and desires. Consider how these differences contribute to Edna's sense of alienation or isolation.
4. To understand why Edna married Leonce, analyze the circumstances and motivations surrounding their relationship. Look for passages that provide insight into their courtship, Edna's initial feelings toward Leonce, and any societal or personal pressures that may have influenced her decision. Consider whether Leonce is portrayed as the ideal husband and if Edna's initial intentions align with a genuine emotional connection.
5. Look for incidents in the novel that reveal Leonce's shortcomings as a husband to Edna. Identify instances where he fails to understand her needs, dismisses her emotions, or shows a lack of support for her desires. Pay attention to Edna's reactions and feelings in these situations to gauge their impact on her perception of their marriage.
6. Studying the characters Mlle. Reisz and Mme. Ratignolle can provide insights into the portrayal of women as both mothers and artists in the novel. Analyze their roles and relationships with Edna. Look for instances where Mlle. Reisz's artistic influence inspires Edna's own creative awakening and where Mme. Ratignolle represents the traditional ideal of motherhood. Consider how these characters and their choices present conflicting expectations for women.
7. To determine the kind of mother Edna is, examine her interactions with her children throughout the novel. Look for instances where she engages with them, demonstrates affection, or struggles to fulfill her responsibilities as a mother. Similarly, consider Edna's artistic pursuits and how she expresses herself as an artist. Look for passages that highlight her passion, talent, and commitment to her art.
8. Look for situations involving background characters such as the young lovers and the lady in black at the shore. Consider how their presence and actions contribute to Edna's story. Analyze their interactions, beliefs, or conflicts with Edna to determine their significance in her journey of self-discovery.
9. Analyzing the flashbacks to Edna's past can provide insight into her character development. Compare her relationship with her father to her relationships with other men in her life. Identify similarities or differences in how these men shape her thoughts, desires, or perceptions of love and marriage.
10. Examine how the view of romantic love progresses in the course of the novel. Note any changes in Edna's attitudes toward love, relationships, and societal expectations. Analyze the doctor's views on marriage and childbearing to understand how his perspectives contrast with Edna's personal experiences and desires.
11. This question requires comparing an emotional attachment or romantic obsession from another work to Edna's relationships. Choose a work that you have studied or are familiar with and consider its characters' emotional attachments or romantic obsessions. Compare and contrast the dynamics, consequences, and character motivations with those in Edna's story.
12. Identify and analyze the main images and symbols in the novel. Look for recurring motifs, objects, or events with symbolic meaning. Examples may include the sea, birds, music, or the caged parrot. Explore how these images and symbols enrich the themes and messages conveyed in the story.
13. To understand why Edna gets involved with Alcee Arobin, analyze their interactions and the circumstances that lead to their relationship. Consider whether Edna's involvement with Alcee is driven by emotional, physical, or psychological needs. Look for passages that elucidate her motives and desires.
14. To comprehend why critics were outraged at "The Awakening" in 1899, explore the social, cultural, and moral context of the time. Consider the novel's portrayal of female sexuality, marital dissatisfaction, and Edna's pursuit of independence and self-fulfillment. Analyze how these themes and the novel's unconventional ending challenged societal norms and expectations, potentially leading to criticism and controversy.
15. Forming a reaction to the end of the novel and agreeing or disagreeing with Edna's final action is subjective and requires personal interpretation. Consider Edna's journey, her struggles, her relationships, and the social constraints she faces. Analyze her final action in the context of her desires, her pursuit of freedom, and her personal fulfillment. Reflect on your own values and beliefs to determine your reaction and stance on the reasons behind Edna's final action.