TA Chapter 1-5 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Explain how the parrot and the mockingbird are used to introduce this chapter.

The birds made a ruckus to show the tolerance Leonce Pontellier has before he must recluse away, and they also symbolize Edna's desire to escape her husband's control.

Describe Leonce Pontellier.

An average 40-year-old man with spectacles, he is of regular height and has a thin frame.

What does the quotation about Leonce's attitude toward his wife reveal?

He views her as a valuable piece of personal property that has suffered some damage, indicating he thinks of her as property rather than a partner.

Who is Robert Lebrun?

The town flirt who now has Edna in his sights. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the use of sounds in Chapter I.

Other birds, the piano, Madame Lebrun, the children, Edna, and Robert act as minor inconveniences to Leonce. Signup and view all the answers

How do the sounds indicate something about the setting of the novel?

They suggest a middle to high-class family along the coast and show that the family is mildly dysfunctional compared to others in society. Signup and view all the answers

What indications are there that the Pontellier marriage is strained?

Leonce's view of Edna as damaged, not inviting her out, and the separation of children from the parents. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Edna Pontellier.

A handsome woman with thick brows and sharp golden eyes, the same shade as her dirty blond hair. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of person is Robert Lebrun?

An arrogant young man who appears to be a tad overbearing but is also kind. Signup and view all the answers

What shift in point of view is evident in Chapter 2?

It changes to the point of view of Robert. Signup and view all the answers

What do you learn about Robert and Edna from their conversation at the end of the chapter?

They came from wealth, were well-learned, and neither seems happy where they are in life. Signup and view all the answers

How does Leonce's behavior when he returns from the Klein Hotel reveal his attitude toward his wife?

It shows that he has little love for her and views her primarily as someone to amuse him and to care for their children. Signup and view all the answers

What shows the reader more signs of the marital conflict between the Pontelliers?

Leonce's accusations that Edna does not nurture their children and his late-night drunkenness. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss how sounds are used as a backdrop to the scene of disagreement between Leonce and Edna.

The sea symbolizes the consistency that Edna lacks in her own life, reflecting the dynamics of her relationship. Signup and view all the answers

How does the gift Edna receives from her husband symbolize her marriage?

The material object signifies that Leonce equates love and care with material possessions rather than true nurturing. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the unusual nature of the relationship between Edna and her children.

She did not smother her children and raised them to be independent. Signup and view all the answers

What satiric comment does the narrator make concerning 'mother-woman'?

The narrator refers to them as angels, using holy imagery to describe them as pure and saint-like. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Adele Ratignolle and how does she embody the 'mother-woman'?

She is Edna's friend on Grand Isle, overly nurturing of her children as shown by her knitting their winter wear in summer. Signup and view all the answers

How does the fact that Edna is not a Creole affect her relationships with others on Grand Isle?

She does not share their values or upbringing, leading her to disapprove of some discussions and feel misplaced. Signup and view all the answers

Support the statement as a possible theme in the novel: there is danger in novels that can confuse susceptible women.

Knowledge allows women to think for themselves, challenging their husbands' control. Signup and view all the answers

How does Robert's behavior toward Edna fit the pattern of courtly love?

There is no love in their relationship, as it lacks physical affection and is based on material gifts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between Robert's attentions to Edna and to Adéle Ratignolle?

His interactions with Edna and Adéle are more intriguing than his normal flings with other married women. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Edna's sketching in this chapter?

It shows free thinking and creativity, indicating a potential escape from her relationship. Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Introduction to Characters and Themes

Parrot and mockingbird symbolize Edna's desire for freedom and Leonce's tolerance before isolation.
Leonce Pontellier is depicted as an average 40-year-old man with spectacles, regular height, and a thin frame.

Marital Dynamics

Leonce views Edna as a valuable possession, reflecting his perception of her diminishing beauty and value over time.
Signs of strain in the Pontellier marriage include Leonce’s quote regarding Edna, lack of shared outings, and emotional detachment from their children.

Edna Pontellier

Edna is portrayed as a handsome woman with striking features: thick brows and sharp golden eyes that match her dirty blond hair.
Her relationship with her children is unconventional; she does not smother them, aiming for their independence.

Robert Lebrun

Robert Lebrun is characterized as a charming but arrogant young man who expresses interest in Edna.
The contrast between Robert’s attentiveness to Edna and his past flings with other women suggests deeper attraction.

The setting is a middle to upper-class coastal family, suggesting a minorly dysfunctional dynamic compared to societal norms.
Edna's lack of Creole upbringing results in a feeling of disconnection with the other women and their values on Grand Isle.

Symbolism and Themes

The sea symbolizes consistency in contrast to Edna's turbulent life, representing her struggle for identity and self-awareness.
Edna's husband gives her a material gift, highlighting societal norms where love equates to material possessions rather than emotional nurturing.

The narrator offers a satiric view of the "mother-woman" stereotype, using religious imagery to portray this idealized role as limiting and simplistic.
Adele Ratignolle embodies the "mother-woman," demonstrating excessive nurturing behavior, contrasting with Edna's independent spirit.

Knowledge and Empowerment

The theme explores the peril of novels that inspire women to think independently, challenging traditional gender roles and expectations.
Edna's sketching represents creativity and free thought, symbolizing a potential escape from her traditional marital confines.

Narrative Shifts

Chapter 2 shifts the perspective to Robert, providing insights into his character and his dynamic with Edna.
Sounds serve as a backdrop for the emotional discord between Leonce and Edna during arguments, emphasizing their disconnect.

Conclusion

Themes of marital conflict, societal expectations, and personal identity are central to understanding the characters and their relationships in the story.

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