The Awakening
Brandi Alfaro
A.P. Language and Composition
Baran/ Martino
7 September 2011
Alfaro 1
Brandi Alfaro
Baran/ Martino
A.P. Language and Composition
7 September 2011
The Awakening
1. “But for that matter, that Creole husband is never jealous; with him the gangrene passion
is one which has become dwarfed with disuse” (Chopin 14).
a. Gangrene: necrosis or death of soft tissue due to obstructed circulation,
usually followed by decomposition and putrefaction. Synonym: healthy. Antonym:
rot.
b. Doctor Melvin dreadfully told his patient he has gangrene on his leg due to his
accident.
2. "Children freshly befurbelowed, were gathering for their games under the oaks" (Chopin
16).
a. Befurbelowed: to be dressed up in particularly fancy clothes. Synonym: elegant.
Antonym: informal
b. It was expected of the hostess to see her guests befurbelowed for her upcoming
event.
3. “Each house consisted of two compartments for itself, fitted out with all the essential
paraphernalia of the bath and whatever other conveniences the owners might desire”
(Chopin 20).
a. Paraphernalia: assorted objects or items, especially of equipment required for a
specific activity. Synonym: supplies
b. My grandmother pulled out her paraphernalia from the large yellow purse.
4. "Edna often wondered at one propensity which sometimes had inwardly disturbed her
without causing any outward show or manifestation on her part" (Chopin 23).
a. Propensity: a natural inclination or tendency. Synonym: predisposition. Antonym:
disinclination.
b. Edward's apathetic propensity was the cause for losing several of his friends.
5. "In the lulls, Robert and his mother exchanged bits of desultory conversation" (Chopin
29).
a. Desultory: aimlessly passing from one thing to another. Synonym: unfocused.
Antonym: methodical.
b. The events that occupied his vacation were desultory and relaxed.
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6. "The parrot fortunately offered no further interruption to the entertainment, the whole
venom of his nature apparently having been cherished up and hurled against the twins in
that one impetuous outburst" (Chopin 32).
a. Impetuous: acting on the spur of the moment, without considering the
consequences. Synonym: impulsive. Antonym: considered.
b. They watched as the stranger impetuously jumped into the river to rescue his
rabbit.
7. "A feeling of exultation overtook her, as if some power of significant import had been
given her to control the working of her body and her soul" (Chopin 37).
a. Exultation: to be extremely happy or joyful about something. Synonym: ecstasy.
Antonym: desolation.
b. After spending 20 years in jail, John felt exulted in his newfound freedom.
8. "The quadroon was following them with little quick steps, having assumed a fictitious
animation and alacrity for the occasion" (Chopin 72).
a. Alacrity: promptness or eager and speedy readiness. Synonym: swiftness.
Antonym: sluggishness.
b. When Amy pushed against the table and the vase tipped over, she moved with
alacrity but failed to save the ornament.
9. " She was moved by a kind of commiseration for Madame Ratignolle,-a pity for that
colorless existence which never uplifted its possessor beyond the region of blind
contentment, in which she would never have the taste of life's delirium" (Chopin 76).
a. Commiseration: a feeling of sympathy for and understanding of the troubles of
somebody else. Synonym: pity. Antonym: incomprehension.
b. I felt commiseration when I witnessed the stray dog get taken away to the pound.
10. “He was scintillant with recollections" (Chopin 81).
a. Scintillant: illuminated. Synonym: aglow. Antonym: obscure.
b. The child was scintillant with the manifestation of the fireworks.
11. “The Colonel drank numerous "toddies" during the course of the day, which left him,
however, imperturbed" (Chopin 93).
a. Imperturbed: tranquil, calm. Synonym: unruffled. Antonym: perturbed.
b. A feeling of complete imperturbableness washed over her as she rested on the
grass.
12. "Arobin appeared nonplused, and asked Edna if there were any one else she cared to ask"
(Chopin 102).
a. Nonplused: to make somebody feel confused and unable to decide what to do.
Synonym: perplex. Antonym: clear understanding
b. The job seemed daunting and nonplused the student greatly.
13. “Mademoiselle Reisz, being exceedingly diminutive, was elevated upon cushions, as
small children are sometimes hoisted at table upon bulky volumes” (Chopin 117).
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a. Diminutive: very small or much smaller than is usual. Synonym: little. Antonym:
large.
b. The extremely diminutive child suffered from a form of dwarfism.
14. “When Mr. Pontellier learned of his wife’s intention to abandon her home and take up her
residence elsewhere, he immediately wrote her a letter of unqualified disapproval and
remonstrance” (Chopin 126).
a. Remonstrance: a strong protest, complaint, or criticism about something.
Synonym: displeasure. Antonym: support.
b. My mother showed much remonstrance when it came to what I wanted to do with
my hair.
15. “She often stopped there during her perambulations; sometimes taking a book with her,
and sitting an hour or two under the trees when she found the place deserted” (Chopin
142).
a. Perambulations: to walk about a place. Synonym: stroll.
b. In Italy, many families go on their daily perambulations after dinner to bond as a
family.
1. “An indescribable oppression, which seemed to generate in some unfamiliar part of her
consciousness, filled her whole being with a vague anguish. It was like a shadow, like a
mist passing across her soul’s summer day” (Chopin 8).
This first passage intrigued me because of the word use Chopin delivered to describe this
moment. This is the first sign of conflict shown in the novel. Mrs. Pontellier is suffering a
great deal of emotional confusion and since she does not go to her husband for
consolation I assumed either he was part of the problem or the couple simply did not have
a level of dependence on each other. I found it rather odd that Mrs. Pontellier would just
cry. I can relate because I find it difficult to connect with people and be vulnerable. This
passage left me thinking there would be a long road of internalized problems with this
protagonist.
2. “She saw no pictures of solitude, of hope, longing, or of despair. But the very passion
themselves were aroused within her soul, swaying it, lashing it, as the waves daily beat
upon her splendid body. She trembled, she was choking, and the tears blinded her”
(Chopin 35).
The images Chopin creates with her imagery greatly impressed me. The recurring use of
the ocean and waves is fitting because it can be ever changing and still, just like Mrs.
Pontellier. This is important because this is where I feel she had her first awakening; the
beautiful music Mademoiselle Reisz planned left Mrs. Pontellier with emotions that
would change her. I would relate to this in the way that art and music has a great affect on
me. This passage makes me wonder what more is happening with Mrs. Pontellier and
what else will Chopin reveal. Lastly, after this event the narrator starts to mention Mrs.
Pontellier as solely Edna. She no longer bares the tie to her husband; she is her own
person.
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3. “But that night she was like the little tottering, stumbling, clutching child, who of a
sudden realizes its powers, and walks for the first time alone, boldly and with overconfidence… A feeling of exultation overtook her, as if some power of significant import
had been given her to control the working of her body and her soul. She grew daring and
reckless, overestimating her strength. She wanted to swim out far out, where no woman
had swum before” (Chopin 37).
This exert is interesting to be in many reasons because I agree in Edna’s comparison to a
child. Her awakening is evident because like a child, she is renewed and slowly learning
herself. The ocean is the second setting to her development because she has found out
that she is perfectly capable of learning and doing things on her own; she finds some
freedom. The use of ‘woman’ instead of ‘person’ in the last sentence also intrigued me. I
conclude that she’s able to see herself doing more than most women and attempt to be
equal to men. I can relate because I as well overestimate situations and can become
reckless. This passage translates to me that there are several links with childhood and the
ocean towards Edna’s journey.
4. “The future was a mystery which she never attempted to penetrate. The present alone was
significant; was hers, to torture her as it was doing then with the biting conviction that
she had lost that which she held, that she had been denied that which her impassioned,
newly awaken being demanded” (Chopin 61).
This passage interests me because after Robert leaves to Mexico, Edna feels abandoned
and although she does not admit it to herself yet, she is passionate about him. Like it says,
her new self is yearning to be with Robert and it takes his sudden decision to move that
reveals it. The language used is very well executed along with the discussion of time in
future being too daunting and the present, torment but important. I don’t agree with the
present being hers because she is without the person she wants and it leaves her defeated.
This reminds me of how in present day people will just go after whoever they are
infatuated with, even if they are married, but in the society of The Awakening, it is much
different and that’s why these characters have a difficult time dealing with the
relationship so much that Robert has to flee.
5. “There was with her a feeling of having descending in the social scale, with a
corresponding sense of having risen in the spiritual. Every step which she took toward
relieving herself from obligations added to her strength and expansion as an individual.
She began to look with her own eyes; to see and to apprehend the deeper undercurrents of
life” (Chopin 127).
I am intrigued by this exert because of the new philosophy and mind set Edna lives by.
She is aware that her social life is weakening but it comes with a great reward of finding
herself. She feels spiritually sound and light years more learned than anyone she knows.
By her moving to the pigeon house she is secluding herself from her acquaintances and
giving herself the personal space she needs. Without her husband and sons she is able to
live freely. The dictation is swell and I agree with having a sound spiritual state is more
important than a social one. This challenges my thinking because I’m not yet sure what
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the deeper undercurrents of life are. This expanded my thinking of what the deeper
undercurrents of life are to Edna’s and mine.
6. “In some way you seem like a child, Edna. You seem to act without a certain amount of
reflection which is necessary in this life” (Chopin 130).
The passage impressed me for the fact that Madame Ratignolle was in a way criticizing
Edna’s way of living. This is significant because although Madame Ratignolle is one of
Edna’s closest friend, she does not comprehend the vitality of finding oneself. Not only
that, but the fact that she accuses Edna of not reflecting over her life when it is all she has
been doing since the summer of her awakening. I can relate because in my own
household I’m often questioned and told I’m as well childish and irresponsible, but it is
that they don’t understand what is important for me and what I see as imperative in life.
7. “She was still stunned and speechless with emotion when later she leaned over her friend
to kiss her and softly say good-by. Adele, pressing her cheek, whispered in an exhausted
voice: “Think about the children, Edna. Oh think of the children! Remember them!”
(Chopin 149).
This extract is impressive because it shows that Madame Ratignolle was aware of Edna’s
changes and realized why she had sent away her children. They’re conversation about the
essential and nonessential made Adele see what was happening with Edna and she
wished for her to stop her self-discovery to care for her family. The descriptions as
always are very stirring and I agree with Adele in this instance. Edna knew she would
continue this journey to as far as it would go and I believe the reason she sent her sons
away was to make it easier for her to focus on it; she did love her children, but she did
not want them to interfere with her internal conflicts and resolutions.
8. “The children appeared before her like antagonists who had overcome her; who had
overpowered and sought to drag her into the soul’s slavery for the rest of her days. But
she knew a way to elude them. She was not thinking of these things when she walked
down the beach” (Chopin 155).
I was interested by this passage because Edna sees her children as antagonists. It is
important because she is putting the blame on her children for not letting her fully be
herself. The way Chopin wrote this was well done and really allows me to understand
what Edna felt during that moment. I think that when she walked down the beach she
didn’t think about her children because she knew those thoughts would cause her to cease
her plan of entering the sea.
9. “Good-by- because I love you.” He did not know; he did not understand. He would never
understand. Perhaps Doctor Mandelet would have understood if she had seen him- but it
was too late; the shore was far behind her, and her strength was gone” (Chopin 156).
This passage was intriguing because Edna admits that the doctor could have helped her,
however it was too late and she could no longer turn back. She could not go back because
the strength she had and strived for was gone. I enjoy how these last pages were written
and how Chopin was able to kill Edna without even saying so. Also that Edna was not
mad because she was well aware of what she was doing. I can relate because I too swam
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too far into the Delaware River and was not strong enough to swim against the currents.
The fear was traumatizing yet a rush.
10. “I would give up the nonessential; I would give up my money, I would give my life for
my children; but I wouldn’t give myself. I can’t make it more clear; it’s only something
which I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me” (Chopin 64).
This passage captures the true meaning of the book because Edna is admitting that she
would sacrifice anything for her children but herself. From the time of her awakening she
has discovered she must treat herself well because she is worth the struggle. Before her
awakening Edna had no ambitions or independence; she always did what was expected of
her and was severely unhappy. After experiencing life changing events at Grand Isle,
Edna began to act for herself and only did what she pleased. She discovered that before
anything else, she must not lose herself.