The Awakening Passage Analysis/Essay Prep AP English Literature

Read the passage from chapter 17 and then answer the following questions In paragraph 1, what impression does the author create of the house? Looking specifically at line 25, what does the sentence reveal about the Pontelliers? What is revealed in the disagreement between Edna and Leonce? How does this moment tie into Edna’s awakening? What does the shattered vase symbolize?

Respond to the following questions In what way does Edna behave like a child after Léonce admonishes her for neglecting societal conventions? Why might Chopin have chosen to characterize her this way? After visiting Madame Ratignolle and observing her comfortable marriage, Edna pities Adèle’s “colorless existence.” Is Edna’s opinion justified? Why or why not? (pp. 74-76)

How does Chopin depict society as stifling/frustrating? Statement 1 The society of the novel focuses more on social propriety than individual choice which has a devastating impact on the individual. Order, not passionate existence, is the rule of the day. Evidence (quote) “She had all her life long been accustomed to harbor thoughts and emotions which never voiced themselves” (Chopin 63). Statement 2 Society allows for a single story concerning gender roles and expectations; anything else is considered wrong or harmful. Evidence (quote) “Her whole attitude—toward me and everybody and everything– has changed. . . .She’s got some notion in her head concerning the eternal rights of women;” (Chopin 88). “She says a wedding is one of the most lamentable spectacles on earth. Nice thing for a woman to say to her husband!” (Chopin 89).

Pick two characters and provide at least two example of how each character is negatively impacted by society. Character 1 Edna 1 Edna is forced to live a life not of her choosing. She’s expected to be a wife and mother, though she feels no passion for either role. Edna’s awakening would be complete if she had only one other person to share her life with. (But Robert leaves her and this signals an ominous end for her. Example 2 Edna is not free to act on her feelings for Robert (though she wants to). Duty, not passion, is the defining principle of this society. Character 2 Adele Example 1 Adele seems quite happy in her role. However, she is a one dimensional character, and Chopin never allows us insight into her character. Still, one could argue that Adele, as the perfect embodiment of woman, is just as much a victim of society’s stifling nature as Edna—she just seems more willing to conform. Example 2 Adele’s life captures the expectations of women in this time period. Find a husband, make a home, have children. Give yourself entirely to the children. This is where Edna can’t follow through. She would give her life for her children, but she will not give herself—she makes that quite clear to Adele who doesn’t seem to fully understand the nuance of the point. Adele comes to represent the generic woman, lost in a sea of tradition and propriety.

Character 1 Edna Example 1 Example 2 Example 2 Edna is forced to live a life not of her choosing. She’s expected to be a wife and mother, though she feels no passion for either role. Edna’s awakening would be complete if she had only one other person to share her life with. (But Robert leaves her and this signals an ominous end for her. Example 2 Edna is not free to act on her feelings for Robert (though she wants to). Duty, not passion, is the defining principle of this society. Adele seems quite happy in her role. However, she is a one dimensional character, and Chopin never allows us insight into her character. Still, one could argue that Adele, as the perfect embodiment of woman, is just as much a victim of society’s stifling nature as Edna—she just seems more willing to conform. Example 2 Adele’s life captures the expectations of women in this time period. Find a husband, make a home, have children. Give yourself entirely to the children. This is where Edna can’t follow through. She would give her life for her children, but she will not give herself—she makes that quite clear to Adele who doesn’t seem to fully understand the nuance of the point. Adele comes to represent the generic woman, lost in a sea of tradition and propriety.

Essay requirements Connect the stifling/frustrating nature of society to the novel’s themes (MOWAW). Choose one or more characters (No more than two, but you can easily write a great essay by focusing on ONE character) Thesis: Author, title, prompt (thematic idea), and MOWAW.