O’Brien
AP Language and Composition
Collaborative Response Activity
The Awakening
In groups of two or three, complete each of the following discussion response questions to aid in preparing for the exam on Thursday,
February 13th. Upon completion, load to Canvas under Assignments.
Chapters 1 through 5
1. What observations can be made from the cover? What might be meant by “The
Awakening”?
2. What does the introductory paragraph/page introduce? Why?
3. Are there any symbols?
4. Character descriptions (What kind of husband/father is Mr. Pontellier? Mother/wife is
Mrs. Pontellier? How is Mrs. Ratignolle described? Robert Lebrun?)
5. What is the setting (time and place)? How does it factor into the interactions of the
characters?
6. Page 8, why is Edna crying? Find the best word from the text to describe what she is
feeling?
7. Chapter 5, paragraph 4, how is Adele Ratignolle described? To what is this allusion
referencing?
Chapters 6 through 10
8. How does Chapter 6 relate to the title?
9. What is the significance of the sea?
10. What is chapter 6 saying about Edna’s emotional state?
11. Why does the author spend time referencing Edna’s childhood?
12. Lady in black and the lover imagery is referenced in the same paragraph, multiple times
in these chapters, why?
13. What is the significance of Adele and Robert’s conversation on the way back from the
beach?
14. Alcee Arobin is introduced as a character. Why? How does he contribute to the story?
15. Mademoiselle Reisz is introduced as a character? Why? How does she contribute to the
story?
16. What mythical or literary allusions are referenced? Why?
17. What is the significance to the bird reference?
18. Edna and Robert’s behavior has altered towards one another? Why?
19. What conflicting images are described?
20. What is the significance to Edna swimming into the sea for the first time?
Chapters 11 through 14
21. What has changed for Edna? Select key passages that explain it.
22. Explain the symbolism with the cigar and wine.
23. What changes between Edna and Robert? Select key passages that explain it.
24. Explain the conversation between Robert and Mariequita.
25. What is the significance of Edna removing her clothes and hair…sleeping a long time?
26. How might the Ghosts and phantom ships of the sea might be connected to Edna and
Robert?
Chapters 15 through 20
27. Given his previous plans with Edna, why would Robert go to Mexico now? “As if it were
a matter of life and death”?
28. “It does no good; you have to stop fanning sometime, and feel all the more
uncomfortable afterward,” says Robert. What underlying meaning is there?
29. What did she finally recognize about her and Robert?
30. “Edna had once told Madame Ratignolle that she would never sacrifice herself for her
children, or for anyone.” What does she mean by this statement? Why does Adele not
understand it?
31. Tuesday receptions…the time-honored tradition of receiving guest, Edna abandons.
Why?
32. “You used to think the cook was a treasure.” “Perhaps she was when she first came, but
cooks are only human.” What is the significance of this passage?
33. “…taking off her wedding ring, flung it upon the carpet…stamped her heel upon it,
striving to crush it…her small boot heel did not make an indenture, not a mark upon the
little glittering circlet.” What is the significance of this passage?
34. Madame Ratignolle refers to “Life’s delirium,” leaves Edna pondering its meaning. To
what might Adele be referring?
Chapters 21 through 25
35. On page 84, Mademoiselle Reisz in saying “Courageous, ma foi! The brave soul. The
soul that dares and defies.” What is the author’s purpose of having her in the story?
36. On page 84, “The shadows deepened in the little room. The music grew strange and
fantastic—turbulent, insistent, plaintive and soft with entreaty. The shadows grew
deeper. The music filled the room.” What are the shadows and music referencing
besides themselves…what is happening?
37. On page 85, “Come whenever you feel like it. Be careful; the stairs and landings are
dark; don’t stumble.” How might this be interpreted?
38. Explain why Mr. Pontellier goes to see Doctor Mandelet. What is the doctor’s advice?
What does the doctor not say?
39. At the end of page 93, what is ironic?
40. In chapter 23 what does Adele Ratignolle see as the problem with the Pontelliers?
41. Find the passage in chapter 23 that explains Edna’s personality shift.
42. What was said by Edna that confirmed the doctor’s suspicion?
43. How did the Colonel “coerce his own wife into her grave”?
44. Where are the children?
45. In chapter 25, find two different passages to support what entices Alcee Arobin to Edna?
On page102, it says, “He cast one appealing glance at her, to which she made no response.
Alcee Arobin’s manner was so genuine that it often deceived even himself.” What is meant
by this comment?