Chapter XIV

1. What is Léonce’s reaction when Edna does not return with the others? How is his
reaction ambiguous?
He had been uneasy at first, but was dissuaded from seeing her. It could be taken that
he does worry about his wife, or it could be taken that he doesn't care enough to check
up on her.

2. Explain the allusion when Edna remarks that they have spent the entire day together
and Robert responds, “All but the hundred years when you were sleeping.” How does
this contribute to the theme of the novel?

The line alludes to the story of Sleeping Beauty. The Awakening is her, well, waking up
from her trance and realizing who she is and what she wants.

3. How is the song she hums after parting from Robert related to the theme of
awakening?

"Ah! Si tu savais (Oh! If you knew)" This shows that Edna is unaware of how deep
her love is for Robert and his love for her.

Chapter XV

1. What possible reasons are there for Robert’s decision to go to Mexico?

Possible reasons for Roberts decision to go to Mexico could be fame, fortune,

and getting away from Edna.

2. What is Edna’s reaction to the news that he is leaving?

She is bewildered because she has not mentioned that he was leaving to her.

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 Chapter XVI

1. What does Léonce Pontellier’s reaction to Robert’s being gone suggest about him?

He has expressed regret that Robert had gone. It shows that perhaps he admires Robert
in a way.

2. How does Edna spend much of her time after Robert leaves? Why is this significant?

She tries to find him in different objects, pictures and places. It shows Edna's growing
affection towards Robert.

3. What does she say or do that shows the depth of her feelings for Robert and her
awareness of a change within herself?
She looks for him everywhere, his going had "some way taken the brightness, the
color, the meaning out of everything". She talks to people about him, she looks for him
in pictures, and she reads his letters that he'd sent to his mother, Madame Lebrun.

4. What do we learn about Edna’s feelings for her husband?

She doesn't feel the same way about him as she does for Robert.

5. How are Mademoiselle Reisz and Adéle Ratignolle foils to Edna?

Edna likes her independence, but Madame Ratignolle doesn't understand, being the societal
epitome of womanly expectation. Mademoiselle Reisz is on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Edna wants to be free, but she isn't free like Reisz is. Edna is in the middle of the spectrum
which is how she can be foils to both Madame Ratignolle and Mademoiselle Reisz.
6. How is the following quotation an example of foreshadowing? Edna says, “I would give
up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I
wouldn’t give myself.”
This may foreshadow that Edna would die to keep her new-found ideals, if it came to her
children.

7. Not much happens in this chapter to advance the plot. What function does it serve?
What does the end of summer coinciding with Robert’s leaving symbolize?

We learn more about Edna and Robert's relationship, and how that would factor into her
Awakening. It may symbolize her loss of happiness.

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 Chapter XVII

1. What is the setting for Chapter Seventeen? How does this contrast to the previous
setting?
This setting starts off with a description of the Pontellier's home. The previous setting
started with dialogue.

2. How is Léonce Pontellier’s attitude toward his home similar to his attitude toward
his wife?

He treats both as a prized possession.

3. What is the purpose of Edna’s Tuesday “at home”? How does this change after she
returns from Grand Isle, and how does this fit into the theme of rebellion?
She dresses in formal attire and receives visitors. Now she's in a ordinary dress, not
her reception gown. She's trying to get rid of the societal expectations that apply to her.

4. How does her husband react to this and other things that happen in the household,
such as his complaints about the cook?
He becomes irritated, but more surprised than anything. He finds his dinner unacceptable
and goes to the club instead to eat.

5. What is significant about what Edna does after Léonce leaves?

She meet eats her dinner alone but this time she does.

6. What is the significance of Edna taking off her wedding ring and then putting it
back on?

She wants her independence from Léonce, but she's not in a position where she can get
away from him.

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 Chapter XVIII

1. How is the Ratignolle marriage a contrast to the Pontellier marriage?

The Ratignolle's have a very harmonious marriage; Adele, being the embodiment of a
"mother woman", is the perfect wife, she listens to everything her husband says. The
Ratignolle's are society's ideal relationship. Edna, in contrast, doesn't listen to her husband
and doesn't listen to her husband since she has her newfound independence. The
Pontellier's marriage would be seen as almost scandalous at the time.

2. How does Edna feel about a marriage such as Adéle’s?

Edna pities Adele for her "colorless existence", since she would never be more than content,
not happy. She would never have tasted "life's delirium".

3. What undefined concept occurs to Edna at the end of this chapter?

The concept of "Life's delirium". Delirium can be intensely joyful (ex: deliriously
happy) or it can be extremely painful.

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Chapter XIX

1. How does Edna spend most of her time in this section of the book?

Most of the her time she spends painting in her makeshift studio on the top floor
of their house (the atelier, as it's called). She also abandons all her social and
household duties expected of her.

2. What is Léonce’s reaction?

He wonders about her mental health. He is at first bewildered, than shocked,

then angry at her insubordination. Sometimes he become rude towards her, and
she wouldn't grow insolent in return.

3. How does Edna feel about her painting?

She is not a "painter". But is is painting that allows her to "let things go". She is not
inspired by the darker parts of humanity, but the happier ones.

4. If Edna recognizes that she is not an artist, why does she paint?

She paints when she's happy, she doesn't see it as a profession, but more as a
hobby to let herself explore her true self.

5. What is the significance of the song Edna sings while she paints?

She sings "si tu savais", which Robert sang to her on their "date".

6. How sympathetic toward Edna does Chopin seem?

Chopin is very sympathetic towards Edna's plight. Chopin is a very feminist writer,
so she makes her feminine characters very three dimensional and likable, Edna's
growth of her newfound freedom help to show Chopin's sympathy towards her.

7. Although she is haunted by memories of Grand Isle, how does she manage to “enjoy”
her life?

She revels in the joy of living, expressed through her paintings and memories with Robert
on Grand Isle. She does her exploring of her true self. Which allows her to be happy
some days, and unhappy on others.

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 Chapter XX

1. What purpose does the long, detailed narration of Edna’s search for Mademoiselle
Reisz serve?

Edna's search for her unavailable friend is an expression of her desire for the unobtainable
or the forbidden.

2. How is Victor a kind of exaggeration of Robert?

Victor is very Charismatic, just like Robert. He can also engage in conversation with Edna
easily.

3. What does Edna learn about Robert while she is there? Why does this depress her?

She learns that Robert has sent to letters to his mother, but he had not sent any to her or
even mentioned her in the other letters. She feels disappointed that Robert has not thought
about her the same way she has thought about him.

4. What has changed in Edna that Victor would notice and comment on?

She laughs and banters with him, she engages in conversation. Victor remarks that the
"city atmosphere has improved her", saying that she's changed for the better.

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 Chapter XXI

1. What is significant about the description of Mademoiselle Reisz’s apartment?

She lives on the top floor of apartments to "discourage the approach of beggars, peddlers and callers". Her
out-of-the-way living style signifies her independence from ordinary life and distractions. Yet her windows are "dingy
and allows smoke and soot into the room". For her freedom, she still has limitations, both physical and societal.
Yet she has her apartment maintained on her own terms as shown with her "magnificent piano" that crowds her
apartment. She may not have the greatest living quarters, she is happily independent.
2. What is significant about the view of the river and the ships from Mademoiselle’s
apartment?
It shows that she is "above" (both literally and metaphorically) the hustle and bustle of daily life,
she can keep to herself without worrying about outside forces.

3. How does Mademoiselle Reisz react when Edna talks about her painting?

She tells Edna that she has aspirations for being an artist, and that she most not only
possess "absolute gifts", but a "courageous soul". To her, hard work and practice don't matter
at much as indisputable talent and courage to use those talents to produce work true to
themselves. Not the visions of tradition or society.
4. What is the content of a letter Robert has written to Mademoiselle Reisz?
Robert asks if she's seen Edna, how Edna's doing, and if Edna comes to you, play for her
his favorite Impromptu of Chopin's, he wants to know her the song will affect her.

5. What is Edna’s reaction?

She wants to read it, and when Reisz refuses, Edna ask's her to play the Impromptu.
Upon reading the letter while listening to the Impromptu, she begins to burst into
tears.

6. How does this letter contrast with all of the letters from Robert Edna read in the
previous chapter?
In the last chapter, Edna was not at all mentioned, leaving her feeling left out and
disappointed. Here, the letter is not for Edna, but is all about her, showing that he is as
passionate about Edna as she is about him.

7. What is the attitude of Mademoiselle Reisz at this time?

She is usually reserved and a bit blunt, but with Enda, she is hospitable and friendly
towards Enda, yet still holds her passionate and snarky elements.

8. What does Mademoiselle Reisz represent in Chopin’s societal microcosm?

Mademoiselle Reisz is seen as a rude and ill-tempered woman. She isolates herself
from society, but has learned to take the bad that comes with the good as an exchange
for her independent living. For Edna, Mademoiselle Reisz represents a sort of muse for
her, a self-sufficient woman that she strives to be. Reisz also acts as a foil to Adele
Ratignolle's as she lives a societal accepted lifestyle whereas Reisz is seen as an
outcast.
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 Chapter XXII

1. What does Léonce’s conversation with Dr. Mandelet reveal about himself as a
character?

He revealed that he's definitely uncomfortable at the thought of Edna being her own
person and having her own rights. He feels like he's driven to be rude and quarrel with
Edna because of her new behavior.

2. What is Doctor Mandelet’s apparent reaction?

He is a bit bewildered, he thought that Edna was the picture of health. When he
realizes the situation, he surprised, and he asks Leonce what he's "been doing to her".
Yet he's not as concerned as Leonce is, but more so amused at the thought of Edna
being part of "pseudo-intellectual" group of women, and speaks condescendingly of
women who think of themselves as intellectual. At this time, feminists were seen as
misguided, and that the feminist movement was almost like a disease that
brainwashes them. For a woman to see herself as an intellectual being, it's seen as
ludicrous.

3. What does the doctor suspect but never say to Léonce?

The doctor suspects that there is another man involved with Edna's deviating behavior.

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 Chapter XXIII

1. What do Edna and her father share as common interests?

They both like the arts, as the coronal takes Edna's painting very seriously.

2. How does Edna receive her father’s visit?

She receives it as a "welcome disturbance". She shows him her atelier and makes
a sketch of him.

3. How is her father’s dress and appearance characteristic of him as a person?

His hair and mustache are white and silky. He is tall and thin, and wore his coats
padded. He had been a coronal in the Confederate Army, and he still maintains a
military bearing.

4. How does Adéle treat Edna’s father? What is Edna’s reaction?

She makes Edna's father the guest of honor and engages him immediately. Edna
marvels at this, but she doesn't comprehend it.

5. What is different between Adéle’s flirting with Edna’s father and Edna’s flirtation
with Robert?

Adele's flirting is based on captivation; using her eyes, gestures and compliments to do so.
For Edna, her flirtation with Robert is on more equal footing. She and Robert talk as friends
first and foremost, with the flirting being more playful than seductive.

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 6. Of what two vices is Edna’s father the apparent victim?

Alcoholism and pride.

7. What observations does Doctor Mandelet make when he comes to the Pontellier home
to meet Edna’s father and to observe her?

To him, Edna has no trace of that "morbid condition", that Léonce described. And that she
was "excited and in a manner radiant".

8. What is significant about the story the Doctor tells after dinner?

He tells a story about a women who was at first unfaithful to her husband, but went back to
him in the end.

9. What is the doctor’s reaction to the evening and to Edna’s story? How is this an
example of foreshadowing?

Edna was not impressed, and she quickly tells her own story about a "woman who paddled
away with her lover one night in a pirogue and never came back". This may foreshadow
Edna's running away with Robert.

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 Chapter XXIV

1. What excuse does Edna offer for not attending her sister’s wedding? Why is this
significant?
Edna had not offered an excuse. Edna had grown up in a very strict environment with her
father, who dominated her 3 sisters and her mother; her standing up to her father is a major
achievement for her independence.

2. Compare Edna’s father to Léonce.

Leonce is considered "too lenient" by Edna's father. Edna's father is very strict when it
comes to the women in his life, which is why he "coerced his own wife into her grave",
even if he's vaguely unaware of it.

3. Describe Edna’s emotional state associated with Léonce’s departure for New York.
She cries, she calls him "her dear", "good friend" and she was certain that she would grow
lonely and go to join him in New York.

4. Why does she act this way?

She acts out of societal expectation of what a wife should do when her husband
leaves.

5. How does Edna feel about being alone?

She was relived. Everything seemed new to her, and she explores her
surroundings.she realizes her newfound freedom that arises from their absence and
relishes in it.

6. In terms of the developing theme of this story, what does the country (Pontellier’s
country boyhood, Edna’s memory of “swimming” in the meadow, the summer at Grand
Isle) represent? By contrast, what does the city represent?
The country represents an open environment, free for Edna to do what she wants, free to be
independent and get away from the bounds of society. The city represents a closed
environment, where Edna's restrained, and forced to follow societal rules.

7. Why does Chopin have Edna read a volume of Emerson on her first night alone?

Emerson is famous for his essays on freedom and self-reliance.

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 Chapter XXV

1. Who is Alcée Arobin?

He is a well-dressed womanizer that proceeds to have an affair with Edna

Pontellier when her husband is in New York.

2. How does he feel about his past encounters with Edna? What is different now?

She was "unapproachable". Now she seems extravagantly admirable and able to be
spoken with.

3. Describe Edna’s reaction to the races.

She is ecstatic, she plays for high stakes. She has an exciting aura that radiates from her
when she watches the race.

4. Describe Edna’s behavior after her evening with Alcée.

She's restless and excited. She wanted something to happen, it didn't matter how or what.

5. How does the relationship between Edna and Alcée develop?

Alcee makes the first move, inviting her for a walk out. They are able to talk to each
other easily and enjoy each other's company.

Alcee is also desperate to meet with Edna again, almost manipulating Edna into
meeting him again by acting so.
6. What thoughts does Edna have about Robert and about her husband?

To her, her husband seemed "now like a person whom she had married without love as
an excuse". She also wonders what would Robert think of her relationship with Alcee. She
feels as though she's being unfaithful to him.

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 Chapter XXVI

1. What ploy does Alcée Arobin use to intensify his relationship with Edna? How well
does it work?
He sends her an elaborate note of his apology for upsetting her the night before, which
seems sincere. It embarrasses Edna and at first she's irritated, but due to her believing that
she misunderstood the circumstances (ex: taking the kiss on the hand to seriously), she
answers it in a "light and bantering spirit". After that, they see each other almost every day.

2. Why does Edna visit Mademoiselle Reisz?

It "quiets the turmoil of Edna's senses".

Her visits to Mademoiselle Reisz seem to "reach Edna's spirit and set it free.

3. What does Mademoiselle’s initial reaction to Edna’s announcement that she is moving
indicate about the society in which the two women live and Mademoiselle’s opinion of
Edna?
Mademoiselle Reisz was neither surprised nor interested about Edna's move. This may indicate that the
lack of disapproval means that reader is more likely to condone Edna's actions, despite deviating from
societal norms. Mademoiselle Reisz, enjoys Edna's company, but thinks of her actions as a little foolish. She
treats Edna almost like a daughter with a need for guidance. She calls her "ma reine" (my love; literally: my
queen). And tells her "It is because he [Robert] loves you, poor fool, and is trying to forget you, since you are
not free to listen to him or belong to him". She cares for Edna, and is scared that she will get hurt in the end.
4. What does Edna decide to do before leaving?
She decides to give a grand dinner before she moves. She says that Mademoiselle Reisz
will have to come to it, and she will give her everything that she likes to eat and drink. She
also states that "We shall sing and laugh and be marry for once".

5. From his letters (sent to Mademoiselle Reisz), what does Edna learn about Robert’s
plans?
Edna learn that Robert will be coming back very soon.

6. What is Chopin suggesting about Mademoiselle Reisz by the comment she makes
about the type of man she would love?
"It seems to me if I were young and in love I should never seem a man of ordinary caliber
worthy of my devotion". Chopin is suggesting that she would love the type of man that
doesn't hold her down, she needs a man that would go against the societal expectations of
a man.

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