Donovan Dicks

English 11 AP
The Awakening Prep Guide

Plot:
Late 1800s, summer vacation at Grand Isle near New Orlenas
Edna Pontellier, the protagonist, vacationing with husband Leonce
There are others there as well, members of the Creole society
Edna spends much of her time with Adele Ratignolle as her husband is often busy
Robert, the son of Madame Lebrun, owner of the resort, engages with Edna often
They become close and interact often, while Edna begins to feel dissatisfied with her
husband
She begins to outwardly express the dissatisfaction, refusing to come inside at his
request, spending nights on the porch, and returns to painting
Robert decides to take a trip to Mexico without much explanation to Edna
Edna is hurt by this and this defines her actions back in New Orleans
She gives up her Tuesday visitations for her own personal benefit, goes out alone often,
continues painting, and sees Adele
Her husband is disturbed by her independence and requests the assistance of a retired
Doctor Mandelet, who advises him to let Edna alone
Leonce goes away to New York for business; the children are sent to Iberville; Edna
remains
Edna visits Mademoiselle Reisz, a pianist, often. They discuss various things, but mostly
the letters Robert writes her because he cannot send them to Edna
Edna begins to interact with Alcee Arobin, a charming man who attaches himself to her
with the intentions of seducing her
While Robert and her husband are gone, Arobin is her main source of entertainment and
satisfaction, though he makes her uncomfortable quite a lot
Edna decides to rent and live in her home, and moves out
Mlle. Reisz helps Edna come to terms with her love for Robert
Edna goes to visit Mlle. Reisz, but finds Robert has returned
They talk for a little, Arobin arrives, and then they both leave
Edna is confused, but later finds Robert at a caf
They seem to finally connect and they return to her home, however she is drawn away to
see Mme. Ratignolle, but returns to find Robert has left
Edna is tragically upset, and returns to Grand Isle
She then walks to the beach, strips, expresses a grand feeling of freedom, and walks
endlessly into the ocean

Characters:
- Edna Pontellier protagonist, discovers her dissatisfaction with her life and progresses to
awaken to her true self
- Adele Ratignolle typical mother woman, devoted to wife and family, over dramatic,
close to Edna
 - Robert Lebrun passionate, devoted, falls in love with Edna, but runs from her because
she is married
- Mlle. Reisz unconventional, isolated, emotional guidance and encouragement for Edna
- Alcee Arobin town seducer to Edna, temporary satisfaction to Edna

Themes:
Feminism Ednas strive for her own equal right to independence and life
Self Expression Edna attempting to be her own person and pursue her own desires
Independence Edna getting away from family to serve herself
Social norms as a mechanism of oppression

Symbols:
Birds freedom, fly away to anywhere at any time
Ocean freedom, escape, isolation, rebirth
Art freedom of expression

Quotations:
In some way you seem to me like a child (Chopin, 130) Mme. Ratignolle
- Adele directs this quote to Edna, pointing out her impulsive actions and lack of regard for
consequences

A certain light was beginning to dawn dimly within her (Chopin, 17)
- Edna is begin to awaken and realize her own inner desires, however these desires are
forbidden from her by society

Intro Paragraph

The Awakening is a novel written by Kate Chopin about the emotional and spiritual
awakening of Edna Pontellier. The novel focuses around her and her interactions with the
people around her and the society she lives in. The novel is entirely driven by Ednas conflict
between social standards and her inner needs and desires.