1

The Awakening Chapter 1-13 Questions

Things to keep track of:

The treatment and discussion of African Americans called quadroons, mulattos,

blacks.
The ocean, the sea, swimming.
Clothing.
Discussions of how women should behave.

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. The Farival twins play a duet from Zampa. What are the major plot lines of that
opera?
4. Describe the Pontellier children.
5. What is the role of the "quadroon"?
6. 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 the above 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"?
 2

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. Do you ever feel like you must live that way? Or are your inward and outward
lives the same?
3. Upon what does Edna blame her change?
4. How do Edna and Adele's outward appearances represent their inward lives?
5. Discuss Edna's regard for the sea.
6. How does Adele treat Edna's sadness? What does this say about her?
7. Describe Edna's sisters.
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. Early in this chapter the parrot speaks, and the Farival twins play songs from
Zampa. Why do you think Chopin repeats these events?
2. Again, Edna sees the ocean and remarks on its restlessness. How does the
ocean reflect Edna's own feelings?
3. Describe Mademoiselle Reisz.
4. How does Edna feel about her?
5. Describe the story Mlle Reisz's playing conjures for Edna.
6. 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 the above 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," referring to 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.
 3

The Awakening Chapter 14-26 Questions

Things to keep track of as you read:

The treatment and discussion of African Americans called quadroons, mulattos, blacks.
The ocean, the sea, swimming.
Clothing.
Discussions of how women should behave.

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?
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? Give evidence as to why you think Edna's reaction is
expected or not.
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.
 4

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?
4. Do you think Mlle Reisz has such a soul? Why, why not?
5. 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"?
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."
Do you think this would be an effective way for Leonce to relate to Edna?
2. 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?
 5

The Awakening Chapter 27-39 Questions

Things to keep track of as you read:

The treatment and discussion of African Americans called quadroons, mulattos, blacks.
The ocean, the sea, swimming.
Clothing.
Discussions of how women should behave.

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?
Chapter XXXII
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 XXXIII
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 XXXIV
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 XXXV
1. Edna spends time with Arobin. He feels her "latent sensuality." What does she
feel?
 6

Chapter XXXVI
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 XXXVII
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 XXXVIII
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 XXXIX
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?