The Awakening Chapters 1-20 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What do we learn about Edna's family background?

Lived on her father's plantation in Kentucky.

What attributes of Creole culture are foreign to Edna?

The women are very affectionate and are close to each other; the ideal of a mother-woman.

How has the book exhibited local color thus far?

There are many French phrases spoken to help make it feel more local; the setting is very laid back.

What is the setting of these chapters of the novel?

Grand Isle. Signup and view all the answers

How does Chopin characterize Edna's husband?

Adored by children, ladies, men, and even nurses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a mother-woman?

Protective of children, worships husband, and is kind and graceful. Signup and view all the answers

How does Chopin characterize Adele?

Perfect mother-woman. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of relationship does Robert form with a woman each summer?

Her attendant. Signup and view all the answers

What is Edna's hobby?

Sketching and painting. Signup and view all the answers

What 'certain light' is beginning to dawn within Edna?

Begins to realize her position as a human being. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 instances of Edna's unrequited love?

Confederate soldier, engaged man, and a famous tragedian. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Edna's marriage to Léonce Pontellier an 'accident'?

She was rebellious, he flattered her, and her family didn't like him; married him in spite of that. Signup and view all the answers

How does Chopin describe Edna's feelings toward her husband and children?

She is fond of her children; loves her husband in a friendly way and doesn't miss her children if they are not present. Signup and view all the answers

What does Madame Ratignolle mean when she says to Robert of Edna: 'She is not one of us; she is not like us. She might make the unfortunate blunder of taking you seriously.'?

Edna might not understand the love game. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the image Edna pictures when she hears Adele play the piece 'Solitude'.

Experiences intense emotions and begins to weep, trembling with passion. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how Mademoiselle Reisz's music and Edna's swim help push her awakening.

Signup and view all the answers

What role does Robert play in Edna's awakening?

He makes her forget her reserve and begins revealing herself more to others. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about Edna's change with Léonce in chapter 11 regarding her refusal to leave the hammock and come inside?

It is the first time Edna disobeys her husband's command. Signup and view all the answers

How do Edna's feelings for Robert seem to be changing in chapter 12?

Because of a dream of not waking up. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Mariequita? Describe her conversation with Robert.

A Spanish girl. She tells a gossip of a man who runs away with another man's wife. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Edna at church?

She felt stifled and drowsy. Signup and view all the answers

How does Edna spend her afternoon?

Robert fixes her a meal while Madame Antoine was out; when she comes back, she tells stories until nightfall. Signup and view all the answers

As Edna sits to think about this summer, she realizes it has been different from other summers because?

She was different. Signup and view all the answers

What disturbing news does Edna learn at the beginning of Chapter 15 during dinner?

Robert was leaving for Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

Edna tells Adele: 'I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give up myself.' What does this mean? What is the difference between giving up your life and giving up yourself?

It means that Edna feels about her children and herself is different from a mother-woman image; giving up your life means you wouldn't care about what happens to you; giving up yourself means you lose your ability to trust yourself. Signup and view all the answers

What happened between Robert and Victor regarding Mariequita?

They fought over her. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Léonce upset with Edna in chapter 17?

She was wearing a 'house dress' instead of her more formal clothing. Signup and view all the answers

What does Edna do with her wedding ring?

She tries to break it by stomping it. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Adele's relationship with her husband, based on the dinner scene of chapter 18.

They are happy and bliss together. Signup and view all the answers

How does Edna feel after she leaves Adele's home? What does she think of Adele's life?

She finds Adele's relationship rather boring and has a sort of colorless existence. Signup and view all the answers

What changes in her routine does Edna make, according to chapter 19? How does Léonce respond?

She does whatever she wants; Léonce believes that she is mentally unbalanced. Signup and view all the answers

Edna wants to see Mademoiselle Reisz and goes to Madame Lebrun to retrieve Reisz's address. What comment does Madame Lebrun and Victor make about Edna's appearance when she leaves?

She looked wonderful and seemed like a different woman. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Edna's Background and Cultural Influences

Edna Pontellier grew up on her father's plantation in Kentucky, highlighting her affluent upbringing.
Creole culture is characterized by affectionate relationships among women and the ideal of the "mother-woman," which contrasts with Edna's evolving identity.

Setting and Local Color

The novel is primarily set in Grand Isle, a relaxed coastal environment contributing to the local atmosphere.
The use of French phrases throughout the text enhances the authenticity of the Creole setting and culture.

Character Relationships

Edna's husband, Léonce Pontellier, is widely adored but lacks deeper emotional connection with Edna.
Adele Ratignolle embodies the "perfect mother-woman," fully engaged in familial duties and societal expectations.
Robert's role in Edna's awakening is significant; he encourages her self-expression and vulnerability, representing both companionship and a potential romantic interest.

Edna's Awakening

Edna begins recognizing her individuality and humanity, culminating in her emotional experiences triggered by music and art.
She enjoys sketching and painting, which serve as outlets for her creative expression and self-discovery.
The moment she defies Léonce by refusing to leave the hammock marks a pivotal point in her assertion of independence.

Emotional Turmoil and Realizations

Edna experiences unrequited love for a confederate soldier, an engaged man, and a famous tragedian, reflecting her longing for emotional fulfillment.
She feels suffocated during church services, indicating her growing disconnection from societal norms.
Edna's unsettling response to Robert's departure for Mexico deepens her inner conflict and sense of loss.

Personal Growth and Rejection of Traditional Roles

Edna's declaration to Adele about prioritizing her selfhood over her familial duties underscores her rejection of the traditional mother-woman archetype.
Her impulsive decision to break her wedding ring symbolizes her desire to shatter the constraints of her marriage.
She begins to embrace her desires, leading to changes in her daily routine, which her husband interprets as signs of mental instability.

Perspectives on Relationships

Adele's marriage is depicted as blissful; however, Edna finds it mundane and colorless, suggesting her increasing disenchantment with conventional domestic life.
Conversations with characters like Mariequita reveal societal gossip and underlying tensions about romantic relationships within the community.

Transformations in Perception

Edna's interactions with her surroundings, particularly with Mademoiselle Reisz's music, amplify her sense of awakening and emotional depth.
By the end of the chapters, Edna's transformation is evident, as her outward appearance and demeanor shift, signifying her inner awakening and departure from societal expectations.

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Description

Explore key concepts and themes from Chapters 1-20 of 'The Awakening' through these flashcards. Delve into Edna's family background, Creole culture, and the use of local color in the novel. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of this classic work.