My online honors class had us read The Awakening by Kate Chopin and the assignment is to answer 15 questions, but I'm having trouble with these last 6. I have an idea about how to answer some of them, but I can't fully articulate an answer.
Please help?
9. In detail, explain how the flashbacks to Edna's past function. How does her father compare to the other men in her life?
(no idea)
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?
Edna learns more about love in terms of romance instead of the love her and her husband have, which is really more of a love of convenience. (no idea about the rest)
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?
In the short story, "A Rose For Emily", Emily becomes obsessed with her boyfriend so much that she kills him when he comes back to town, puts his body in her attic bedroom, and began sleeping there next to him even as his body was decaying. (what should I put for Edna's relationships compared to this?)
12. What are the main images and symbols in the novel?
(no idea about MAIN symbols)
13. Why does Edna get involved with Alcee Arobin?
(no idea)
15. What is your reaction to the end of the novel? Do you agree or disagree with the reasons for Edna's final action?
(I know she kills herself but I don't know what to make of her reasons.)
Thank you so much to anyone who helps!
This site will help you with The Awakening questions.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gawain/characters.html
We can't help you with #11 because we have no idea what other books you have read. The best way to approach that would be to choose one of the books and see how the heroine responded to the romantic attachments in her life and then compare the two.
There are several sites for analyses of A Rose for Emily:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=sparknotes%2C+A+Rose+for+Emily&btnG=Search
For #11, those few sentences about A Rose for Emily is what I wrote, not a part of the actual question. Thank you for the link though, I hope I can find what I need!
Yo mane this is off da chane
Yeah Mane dats whats up mi home shizzle pa dizzle
9.In detail, explain how the flashbacks to Edna's past function. How does her father compare to the other men in her life?
I'd be happy to help you answer these questions about The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Let's break it down one question at a time and work through each together.
9. In detail, explain how the flashbacks to Edna's past function. How does her father compare to the other men in her life?
To answer this question, you should first analyze the purpose of the flashbacks in the novel. The flashbacks to Edna's past provide insight into her upbringing and background, helping readers understand her current mindset and behavior. These flashbacks reveal that Edna's father was strict and controlling, treating her more like a possession than an individual. This is significantly different from the other men in her life, such as her husband and Robert, who at least somewhat recognize her autonomy and independence.
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?
In order to answer this question, you need to examine the development of romantic love throughout the novel. Initially, Edna sees love in the conventional sense, as something bound by societal expectations and duties. As the story progresses and she becomes more aware of her own desires and identity, Edna begins to view love as something more passionate and personal. Meanwhile, the doctor in the novel represents the prevailing social views of marriage and childbearing. He believes in conventional gender roles and the responsibilities that accompany them, which clash with Edna's desire for independence.
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?
For this question, you're asked to compare an emotional attachment or romantic obsession from a previous work to Edna's relationships. Your example from "A Rose for Emily" is a good starting point as it displays a romantic obsession. To compare it with Edna's relationships, you can discuss the similar intense passion that both characters feel. However, you can also highlight the differences, such as Emily's obsession leading to a tragic and violent outcome, whereas Edna's choices ultimately drive her towards personal liberation.
12. What are the main images and symbols in the novel?
The main images and symbols in The Awakening include the sea/ocean, birds, and houses. The sea/ocean represents freedom, openness, and escape. Birds symbolize freedom, as they can soar and migrate freely, contrasting with the caged existence of women in the novel. Houses represent societal expectations, personal constraints, and confinement.
13. Why does Edna get involved with Alcee Arobin?
To understand Edna's involvement with Alcee Arobin, you should consider her journey of self-discovery and liberation. Edna engages in an affair with Alcee as a way to further explore her desires and passions. He represents a more sensual and passionate connection compared to her previous relationships, which were defined by duty and convention. However, it is also important to note that Edna's involvement with Alcee is a temporary escape rather than a long-term solution to her dissatisfaction.
15. What is your reaction to the end of the novel? Do you agree or disagree with the reasons for Edna's final action?
In addressing this question, you can provide your personal reaction to the ending of the novel. Acknowledge that Edna's decision to take her own life is a tragic one, but also consider the greater context of her journey towards self-discovery and freedom. Discuss whether you believe Edna's final action was a result of societal pressures, inner turmoil, or a combination of both. Express whether you agree or disagree with her choice and explain your reasons based on your interpretation of the novel.
Remember, these are just suggestions to guide your thinking. Make sure to provide specific examples from the text to support your answers!