the awakening study guide

Question 1

how does edna feel an outcast from creole society

Answer 1

creole’s absence of prudery

they have different expressions of freedom

Question 2

how does Edna feel about the sea

Answer 2

likes the sea’s embrace.

Question 3

what does the parrot represent

Answer 3

a caged bird which the readers find out to be edna

Question 4

what is an epiphany

Answer 4

a moment of sudden revelation or insight

Question 5

two things that Leonce reprimands Edna for in the beginning of the novel

Answer 5

she got burnt beyond recognition
she evinced little interest of what he is saying
found Raoul with a fever and Edna did not know about it

Question 6

who is Mademoiselle Reisz

Answer 6

an unmarried unattractive person who plays the piano with very high skill.

Question 7

what does Mademoiselle Reisz’s playing do to Edna

Answer 7

moves her to tears,

Question 8

I only ask for one, let Mrs. Pontellier alone

Answer 8

speaker: Adele
listener: Robert

Question 9

her manner was engaging

Answer 9

her: edna

Question 10

each was interested in what the other said

Answer 10

each: robert, edna

Question 11

she was a disagreeable little woman who quarreled with almost everyone

Answer 11

mademoiselle Reisz

Question 12

who kissed cold glass

Answer 12

edna

Question 13

who is montel

Answer 13

middleaged gentleman whose vain ambition and desire is to fill the void that mr. lebrun left

Question 14

how old is edna in the beginning

Answer 14

28

Question 15

how old is leonce

Answer 15

40

Question 16

why is the atmosphere of the church so stifling to Edna

Answer 16

it is smbolic of her increasing disinterest in meeting the demands of normal society or convention

Question 17

where does she go after church and who is with her

Answer 17

to madame antoine’s house to rest

with robert

Question 18

describe the pontellier’s home

Answer 18

charming home on esplonade street
large, double cottage, broad front veranda, fluting columns to support sloping roof.
painted white
neat yard with flowers
draperies, rugs, carpets, and paintings inside

Question 19

what does edna take to madame ratignolle for inspection

Answer 19

sketches

Question 20

how many years have the pontelliers been married

Answer 20

6

Question 21

i would give up the unessential

Answer 21

listener: madame ratignolle-adele

Question 22

but the thought of him was like an obsession, ever pressing itself upon her:

Answer 22

robert

Question 23

if ever the fusion of two human beings into one has been accomplished in this sphere it was surely in their union

Answer 23

the ratignolles

Question 24

who says the artist’s soul is one that dares and defies

Answer 24

mademoiselle reisz

Question 25

who gives soirees musicales and what are they

Answer 25

the ratignolles host them.

a group of people who listen to music

Question 26

the bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings

Answer 26

speaker:mademoiselle reisz
listener: edna
what it means:
people who go against traditions must be strong and courageous otherwise they will go back down.

Question 27

who wrote the musical arrangement that mademoiselle Reisz played when edna first went to her apartment in new orleans

Answer 27

frederic chopin

Question 28

3 ways that edna will support herself

Answer 28

money from horse races
selling paintings
getting tid-bits of money from father from mother’s estate

Question 29

why are you so personal, mrs. pontellier

Answer 29

speaker: robert

Question 30

what does she find in her pigeon house instead of robert

Answer 30

a note from robert saying:”I love you. good by—- because i love you.”
saying this because he wants marriage but she wants independence.
because she is already married
turned off from her independence.
if you love something set it free

Question 31

several of edna’s last thoughts

Answer 31

blue grass meadow
leonce and children can not possess her
robert did not understand
dr. mandalet maybe could have understood, but I will never know
barking of dog, spurs of dad’s boots, hum of bees, musky odor of pinks

Question 32

what does the garment imagery represent

Answer 32

she cast the unpleasant picking garment from her.

represents edna throwing away her past life of being suppressed and now standing un-oppressed/ free.