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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. Where does Léonce think Edna spends too much time?

2. What does Adèle Ratignolle do that Edna would not be comfortable doing?

3. Why does Edna think Robert does not love her?

4. What does Edna begin attending?

5. For what does Edna not apologize?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Madame Ratignolle.

2. What happens when the cage door is left open by accident one day?

3. What is Edna's life like in New Orleans?

4. What does Madame Ratignolle ask of Edna and what does she think of the pigeon house?

5. What happens when Mr. Pontellier arrives home at eleven?

6. Where does Robert decide to go and how does Edna react?

7. Describe the scene between Robert and Edna at the cafe.

8. What does Edna learn when she returns from Chênière Caminada?

9. Who is Robert LeBrun?

10. Describe Edna's terrifying water experience.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Chopin's life may have greatly informed her writing. Discuss the following:

1. Research Kate Chopin and write a 2-3 informative essay about her life.

2. Choose one theme that occurs throughout most of Chopin's work and discuss it in relation to what you learned in your research about Chopin.

3. Can an author write an entirely objective piece of fiction without her/his own experiences influencing the work? Why or why not (in your opinion).

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, a novel is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think The Awakening is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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