English II
The Awakening
Reading Assignment One: Chapters 1-7
Chapter I
1. What does the parrot say? What does it mean? How might these comments
foreshadow what will occur in the novel?
2. Describe Leonce Pontellier. Specifically describe his reaction to the parrot,
how he speaks to his wife, and his reaction to Mrs. Pontellier's question
about dinner.
3. Describe the Pontellier children.
4. What is the role of the “quadroon”?
5. Who is Robert Lebrun? What is his part in this story?
Chapter II
1. Describe Edna Pontellier. What does she look like? Where is she from? Where does she live
now?
2. Where is this story taking place?
3. What is Robert Lebrun like? What are his plans for the future? Do you think he will ever
follow through with his plans? Why, why not?
4. Describe Edna and Robert’s relationship.
Chapter III
1. How does Leonce feel when he returns home?
2. How does he feel about Edna’s mothering skills?
3. Why does Edna cry?
4. How do others feel about Leonce?
Chapter IV
1. What is a mother-woman? Why is Edna not one? Who is a mother-woman?
2. Describe Adele Ratignolle.
3. How is Edna different from Creole women?
Chapter V
1. How does Robert relate to women on the island?
2. How does Edna feel about sketching?
3. Do you think Adele faked fainting? Why, why not?
Chapter VI
1. “A certain light was beginning to dawn dimly within her – the light which, showing the way,
forbids it.” Take apart this sentence. What does the light represent? How does the light
forbid as it compels?
2. What does Edna come to realize about her “position in the universe”?
3. What is the ocean’s affect on Edna?
Chapter VII
1. What is the “outward life which conforms, and the inward life which questions”?
2. What does Edna blame her change upon?
3. How do Edna and Adele’s outward appearances represent their inward lives?
4. Discuss Edna's regard for the sea.
5. How does Adele treat Edna's sadness? What does this say about her?
6. Describe Edna’s sisters.
English 2
Ms. Wuerth
The Awakening Reading Assignment 2: Chapters 8-16
Chapter VIII
1. Why does Adele tell Robert that Edna is not one of them?
2. Who is Alcee Arobin? What stories does Robert tell about him?
3. Describe Robert's relationship with his mother.
4. How is Robert affected by the letter from Montel?
Chapter IX
1. Again, Edna sees the ocean and remarks on its restlessness. How does the ocean reflect Edna's own
feelings?
2. Describe Mademoiselle Reisz. How does Edna feel about her?
3. Describe the story Mlle Reisz's playing conjures for Edna.
4. How does Mlle Reisz's playing affect the audience?
Chapter X
1. Edna can't swim! What are the implications, then, of her focus on the ocean?
2. "She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before." List all of the meanings you make
from this sentence.
3. Why did Edna have an encounter with death?
Chapter XI
1. How does Leonce feel when Edna returns from swimming?
2. Now that Edna is awakening from a dream, how does her everyday life affect her?
Chapter XII
1. Edna says, "He'd never be in bad humor if it weren't for me," (Leonce). Why does Edna think this?
2. Where are Robert and Edna going, and why is it unusual?
3. Describe Mariequita's encounter with Robert.
Chapter XIII
1. Where does Robert take Edna after they leave church?
2. Describe Madame Antoine and her life.
Chapter XIV
1. Who took charge of Edna's children while she was on the island?
2. How did Leonce react to Edna's late return?
3. What doesn't Edna realize about herself?
4. What does Robert's song, "si tu savais" (if you knew), represent?
Chapter XV
1. Describe Edna's reaction to hearing Robert is going to Mexico.
2. Does her reaction surprise you? Why, why not?
Chapter XVI
1. How does Mlle Reisz react to Edna?
2. Describe Edna's infatuation with Robert. What is she jealous about?
3. How does Edna think about her emotions?
4. Do you agree with Edna's idea that she would never sacrifice herself for her children?
5. What does Mlle Reisz think about Madame Lebrun's relationships with her sons?
6. What new information did you learn about Mlle Reisz?
English 2
Ms. Wuerth
The Awakening Reading Assignment 3: Chapters 17-23
Chapter XVII
1. The setting has changed. Where is the story taking place now?
2. Leonce is angered when Edna tells him she went out. Why is he angry?
3. What does Leonce think Edna should do about the cook?
4. Why does Edna try to destroy her wedding ring? What change is taking place in her?
Chapter XVIII
1. How is Edna feeling about the house and her domestic chores?
2. How does Adele feel about her domestic chores?
3. Reflect upon the difference between the two women.
4. Compare and contrast the Pontellier marriage with the Ratignolle marriage.
Chapter XIX
1. After her visit with Adele, what does Edna do about her domestic obligations? Does this surprise you?
2. How does Leonce react to Edna's actions?
3. What does Chopin say Leonce is not aware of?
4. What does Edna spend her time doing?
Chapter XX
1. What does the neighborhood grocer think of Mlle Reisz? Why do you think he feels this way?
2. Describe the altercation between Victor Lebrun and the black woman.
3. The Lebruns comment that Edna looks better. Why do you think Edna looks healthier?
Chapter XXI
1. Describe Mlle Reisz's apartment.
2. How does Mlle Reisz react to Edna's arrival?
3. Mlle Reisz says to Edna, "To be an artist includes much; one must possess many gifts – absolute gifts – which
have not been acquired by one's own effort. And, moreover, to succeed, the artist must possess a courageous
soul. The brave soul. The soul that dares and defies." Do you think Edna has such a soul? Why, why not? Do you
think Mlle Reisz has such a soul? Why, why not?
4. What do you think is in Robert's letter to Mlle Reisz? Why hasn't he written to Edna?
Chapter XXII
1. Describe the conversation between Leonce and Doctor Mandelet.
2. Why would Edna tell Leonce that "a wedding is one of the most lamentable spectacles on earth"?
3. Do you agree with Doctor Mandelet's assessment that "woman...is a very delicate and peculiar organism"? Why,
why not?
Chapter XXIII
1. Describe Edna's father.
2. What is the doctor's assessment of Edna's health?
3. What story does Edna tell at dinner with the doctor and her father?
4. Why does the doctor say to himself, "I hope it isn't Arobin"?
English 2
Ms. Wuerth
The Awakening Study Guide: Chapters 24 - 31
Chapter XXIV
1. Edna's father gives Leonce the following advice concerning Edna, "Authority, coercion are what is
needed. Put your foot down good and hard; the only way to manage a wife."
2. Do you think this would be an effective way for Leonce to relate to Edna?
3. Who is Emerson? What kind of literature did he write? Why would Edna be reading his works?
Chapter XXV
1. Who is Arobin? What kind of man is he?
2. Describe Edna's encounter with him after the races.
3. Edna imagines her time with Arobin means she is being unfaithful to Robert. Does Edna ever think of
her husband?
Chapter XXVI
1. Mlle Reisz mothers Edna; why does Edna let her treat her that way?
2. We learn that Edna has decided to move out of her house. How do you think her family will react to
this action?
3. Chopin says of Edna that she "resolved never again to belong to another than herself." Do you think
this is an accepted way for women to think in the late 1800s?
4. Edna admits to Mlle Reisz that she is in love with Robert. How does Mlle Reisz react?
Chapter XXVII
1. Edna says to Arobin that she would like to "determine what character of a woman" she is. He replies,
"Why should you bother thinking about it when I can tell you what manner of woman you are." Think
about Edna's comments concerning wanting to be her own woman, to be possessed by no one. Why
would Chopin not have Edna protest such a comment?
2. Mlle Reisz tells Edna, "The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must
have strong wings. It is a sad spectacle to see weaklings bruised, exhausted, fluttering back to earth."
Do you think Edna is strong enough to soar? Why, why not?
3. Arobin kisses Edna. What are the implications? Remember what the doctor said about Arobin.
Chapter XXVIII
1. How does Edna feel after the kiss?
Chapter XXIX
1. Who are the "thousand muffled voices" telling Edna to leave her home?
2. Describe Edna's demeanor concerning moving.
Chapter XXX
1. We learn the second line in the song Robert sang to Edna. What is that line? Why is it important?
Why does Edna not want Victor to sing that song?
Chapter XXXI
1. Arobin walks Edna to her new house. How does he treat her when they arrive?
English 2
Ms. Wuerth
The Awakening Final Study Guide: Chapters 31-39
Chapter 32
1. How does Leonce react to Edna's move?
2. What is Leonce most worried about? What actions does he take?
3. How would you feel if your partner informed you she/he was moving out?
4. Edna is pleased to see her children. Does this surprise you? Why, why not?
Chapter 33
1. What is the advice Adele gives Edna? How does Adele feel about Arobin?
2. Describe the meeting of Robert and Edna.
3. Robert sees Arobin's photograph in Edna's "pigeon house." How does he react?
Chapter 34
1. Describe the meeting of Arobin and Robert.
2. Arobin declares his love to Edna. Does she believe him? Would you?
3. Which man does Edna fantasize about?
Chapter 35
1. Edna spends time with Arobin. He feels her "latent sensuality." What does she feel?
Chapter 36
1. Edna meets Robert by chance at an outside cafe. Describe their meeting.
2. They return to Edna's house where she kisses him and declares she is possessed by no one.
What else does she tell Robert?
3. Predict an ending to this love story.
Chapter 37
1. Edna goes to Adele's sick bed. How does this make her feel?
2. Why does Adele say to Edna, "Think of the children."
Chapter 38
1. Doctor Mandelet speaks to Edna as they leave Adele's house. What advice does he give her?
What does he speak to her about?
2. What keeps Edna awake?
Chapter 39
1. Why does Chopin begin the last chapter with Victor Lebrun and Mariequita?
2. In this last chapter, the novel seems to be repeating itself. Which quotes are similar to or are
repeats of previous lines?
3. How does the novel end? What is Edna's fate? Are you surprised? Why, why not?