CliffsNotes on

The Awakening

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Book Summary

Kate Chopin Biography

Personal Background
Education, Marriage, and Children
Her Later Years
Literary Writing

About The Awakening

Introduction
Literary Limitations
The Influence of Science
The Influence of Naturalism and Romanticism

Summary, Analysis, and Original Text by Chapter

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapters 7–8
Chapters 9–11
Chapters 12–14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapters 27–28
Chapter 29
Chapters 30–31
Chapter 32
Chapters 33–35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39

Character List

Character Map

Character Analysis

Edna Pontellier
Léonce Pontellier
Robert Lebrun
Mademoiselle Reisz

Critical Essays

Art in Edna Pontellier's Life
Wing Imagery in The Awakening

Study and Homework Help

Glossary
Quiz
Essay Questions
Practice Projects

Cite this Literature Note

What should be his first order of business once President-elect Obama takes office?

Cutting taxes/economic recovery.
Promoting peace in Israel/Gaza.
Ending the war in Iraq.
Creating jobs/dealing with unemployment.
Addressing climate change/environmental issues.

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Study and Homework Help

Quiz

1:  Who is Robert's business partner in Mexico?

a. Alcée Arobin

b. Léonce, Edna's husband

c. Victor, Madame Lebrun's handsome son

d. Montel, an old family friend
2:  In what army and war did Edna's father, the Colonel, serve?

a. The Rebel Army in the French Revolution

b. The Union Army in the Civil War

c. The Redcoat Army in the American Revolution

d. The Confederate Army in the Civil War
3:  How does the parrot symbolize Edna?

a. Edna tends to repeat stock phrases rather than speak her mind.

b. Edna's free spirit is caged by her family and society.

c. Léonce admires Edna's beauty and skills like he would a caged pet, but then has no problem forgetting about her when he's concentrating on something else.

d. Léonce will leave Edna is she annoys him too much, just as he avoids the parrot.
4:  Why is Mademoiselle Reisz disliked by almost everyone?

a. She lacks fashion sense.

b. She lives in a shabby apartment.

c. She gives her true opinions instead of being polite.

d. She endorses Edna and Robert's affair.
5:  Despite their differences, Madame Ratignolle enjoys Edna's company. Why?

a. Edna is the only non-Creole among the Grand Isle vacationers and so provides more diversion.

b. Edna is the most beautiful woman on Grand Isle, and Madame Ratignolle surrounds herself with beauty.

c. Edna is a mother and Madame Ratognolle longs to have a family.

d. Madame Ratignolle is enjoying the fact that she is teaching Edna to knit.
6:  Which of the following is not one of the causes for Edna to feel estranged from her husband, Léonce?

a. He treats her more like a piece of property than a partner.

b. He is more interested in ensuring the success of his business than in being a good husband.

c. He refuses to grant her the freedom to be artistic.

d. He is out of touch with his emotions.
7:  Which of the following items is an important symbol in The Awakening?

a. Trees

b. Birds

c. Fruit

d. Lovers
8:  What kind of a mother is Edna?

a. Thoughtful and loving

b. Doting and watchful of the children’s every move

c. Uncaring and cruel

d. Concerned about her children when they are present and forgetful when they are gone.
9:  For what purpose does Edna pursue her art?

a. To express her discontent

b. To spend her time as her own person rather than as Léonce's property

c. To occupy her thoughts and take her mind off of Robert

d. To avoid spending time with her children
10:  Who said the following: "Allez vous-en! Sapristi!" meaning "Go away, for God's sake!"

a. Robert to Edna

b. Léonce to Edna

c. Léonce to the parrot

d. The parrot, to no one in particular
11:  Who said the following: “[W]e've got to observe les convenances if we ever expect to get on and keep up with the procession.”

a. Léonce to Edna

b. The Colonel to Léonce

c. Alcée Arobin to Léonce

d. Robert to Edna
12:  Who said the following: “[O]ne is really forced as a matter of convenience these day to assume the virtue of an occupation if he has it not..”

a. Victor

b. Léonce

c. Doctor Mandelet

d. Alcée



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