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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 Athénaïse go when she leaves Cazeau a second time?

2. Who is the successful planter?

3. What is Calixta's response to Bobinôt's question?

4. What does Clarisse not miss?

5. What is the reason Cazeau tells his wife that he married her?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Calixta become involved with Alcée Laballière?

2. How does Elizabeth help Mr. Brightman?

3. How does Mrs. Baroda's feelings alter towards Gouvernail and what does she do?

4. Why does Mr. Sublet change his attitude towards Evariste?

5. Why does Elizabeth lose her job at the post office?

6. What does Louise Mallard learn and how does she learn of it?

7. What does Désirée do after Armand tells her to leave?

8. How does Mrs. Sommers spend her fifteen dollars?

9. How does Mrs. Baroda feel towards Gourvernail at the opening of the story, and what does she do as a result?

10. Why does Armand withdraw from Désirée?

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

Edna commits suicide (presumably) at the end of the story, The Awakening. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze five major events that leads up to Edna's suicide. Could any of them have been altered? What does each event contribute to Edna's fateful decision?

2. Suicide is often considered by people who feel they have no other options. Do you think Edna is at that point when she kills herself? What other options does Edna have (consider the times and culture in which Edna lives)?

3. Is Edna's suicide an act of courage? Stupidity? Selfishness? Do you hold her responsible for the impact her death will have on those who love her? How do you think they will be affected?

4. Do you think Edna's husband is partly to blame for the woman's problems? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The Creole culture and the culture of the United States at that time in general in the late 1800s is fertile ground for sexism. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research the existence of sexism in the South and the United States and analyze The Awakening and one other short story for its accuracy and/or inaccuracy in its portrayal of sexism.

2. Trace and analyze the theme of sexism throughout The Awakening. Who are the most obvious sexist? Who are perhaps subtly sexist? Are any of the characters free of sexism? Who? Why do you say so?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of sexism in three of the short stories. Who are the most obvious sexist? Who are perhaps subtly sexist? Are any of the characters free of sexism? Who? Why do you say so?

(see the answer keys)

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