Kate Chopin Kate Chopin was born Catherine O'Flaherty on July 12, 1850, in St. Louis, Missouri. Kate grew up during the Civil War. To support herself and her family, Kate began to write. She was immediately successful and wrote short stories about people she had known in Louisiana. Her first novel, At Fault, was published in 1890 when Kate was forty and was followed by two

collections of short stories, Bayou Folk (1894) and A Night in Acadie (1897). When The Awakening was published in 1899, the story created a scandal because of its portrayal of a strong, unconventional woman involved in an adulterous affair. It was inspired by a true story of a New Orleans woman who was infamous in the French Quarter. By 1899, Kate was a well- known woman writer, having published over one hundred stories, essays, and sketches in literary magazines. Chopin died of a brain hemorrhage after a strenuous day at the St. Louis World's Fair.

Scanning 1.How old is Miss Aurelie? 2. What does the last sentence in the first paragraph mean? 3. In paragraph 6 we read that Miss Aurelie ”no longer complained” what were the things she could complained about? Give three examples. 4. In para. 7, what was Miss Aurelie upset about? 5. Why did Miss Aurelie start crying?

1.How old is Miss Aurelie? she is fifty. 2. What does the last sentence in the first paragraph mean? she is an unmarried woman who lives all alone on a farm.

3. In paragraph 6 we read that Miss Aurelie ”no longer complained” what were the things she could complained about? Give three examples. 1.She had to speak gently and nicely to the oldest girl instead of her usual manner. 2.The little boy destroyed al the most beautiful flowers in her garden. 3.She had to tell the ltttle boy a bed-time story. 4.She had to sing sweet songs to the baby.

4. In para. 7, what was Miss Aurelie upset about? The unannounced and unexpected return of the mother. 5. Why did Miss Aurelie start crying? she started crying because she felt lonely.

Further understanding 1.Explain the phrases and sentences on page she had never married and never want to marry. 2. taking care of children is much more difficult than taking caring of pigs.

3. At first she was angry that the little by destroyed all flowers in the garden, but later she became fond of him. 4. A woman who was not used to taking care of children 5. The children had upset the house and left it disorganized.

2. What is ht meaning of the title of this short story? Regret means to feel sorry about something. In the end, Miss Aruelie regrets that she did not get married and had not raised a family.

Key sentences 1.One morning, Miss Aurelie’s young neighbor came to her, accompanied by her four small children. The teacher came in, ______ by his students. The teacher came in, _____ his students. A to follow B. following C followed D follow

2. Miss Aurelie stood looking at the children. The driver got out _____ very puzzled. A.Looking B. looked C. to look D look

3. Miss Aurelie seated herself beside the table. seat oneself be seated sb sit The wave ____ the shore gently, some tourists____ there, enjoying the beautiful sunset. A beating, were seated B striking, seated themselves C beat, sitting D knocked, sat

on the farm all her life at the age of except for in her arms follow behind take care of 在农场 她一生 在 …… 岁时 除了 在他的怀抱 跟在后面 照顾

think of a plan become used to… one and all give them a bath a bed-time story at sight of in the distance make a mess seat oneself 想到一个计划 习惯于 所有人 给 …… 洗澡 看到 …… 在远处 弄乱 坐下