Title: The Awakening Author: Kate Chopin Genre: Bildungsroman (Psychological or moral

growth story)

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Name: Lily Krol Period: 0 Date: April 18, 2014
Major Works Data Sheet
Significance of opening scene or chapters (1 point):

The book opens with Robert Lebrun and Edna Pontellier returning from a day at the beach,
while her husband looks on. The opening scene shows the close relationship between Edna and
Robert, who joke and laugh openly with one another. This relationship contrasts significantly
with the marriage between Leonce and Edna. Leonce is even described as looking at his
[sunburned] wife as one looks at a valuable piece of property that has suffered some damage
(Chopin 4). Robert and Ednas relationship seems full of affection and admiration for one
another, while the marriage is rather traditional and devoid of emotions. The opening scene also
establishes the Louisiana setting of the novel, which greatly affects the characters attitudes
about social conventions.

Significance of closing scene or chapters (1 point):

The novel ends with Edna swimming out alone in the ocean and drowning, either from
exhaustion or suicide; however, it is most often interpreted as a premeditated suicide. Her death
is the ultimate rebellion against the social restraints of the time and ensures the preservation of
her integrity to herself. Edna decides to swim in the Gulf alone, because she wants to leave her
marriage and domestic life but does not want to damage her childrens psyches or reputations.
By dying, Edna gives up her life for her children but never herself as she is still a strong,
independent individual rather than just a possession. There is much evidence in the text
pointing to the death being a suicide. Edna meets with Victor Lebrun before her fatal swim and
talks about having dinner with him.

List at least three conflicts that this text addresses. Be sure to provide details rather than
Spark/Cliffnotes responses (3 points):

Edna vs. Herself: Throughout the novel, Edna grows in her independence and willingness
to stop following societys conventions. However, she is still greatly affected by these
conventions that have been imposed on her since birth. She feels immense guilt for leaving
her children behind, when she goes to Grand Isle to commit suicide. Edna must reconcile
her newfound feminist beliefs with the traditional beliefs of the time. Edna even describes
this struggle as [the] outward existence which conforms, [and] the inward life which
questions (Chopin 14).

Edna vs. Society: Ednas new beliefs about domesticity conflict with societys views about
motherhood. Edna believes that love and emotions are only temporary and fleeting, which
directly clashes with societys views that husband and wife are forever. She also thinks
that women are not possessions of their husbands, which conflicts with both Leonce and
Roberts views that women are owned by their husbands. Edna rebels against society by
Title: The Awakening Author: Kate Chopin Genre: Bildungsroman (Psychological or moral
growth story)

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going against all the traditional social roles of the era. It is interesting to note that
Chopins book even clashes with society. The Awakening was met to much criticism by
furious men who found the book appalling, which mirrors Ednas conflict with society.

Edna vs. Leonce Pontellier: Ednas journey to feminine enlightenment conflicts with
Leonces expectations for his wife. When Edna does not receive visitors on Tuesday in New
Orleans, her husband becomes enraged that his wife would not follow the typical customs
of the wealthy Creoles. Edna and Leonce often fight about possessions and the social rules
of the time. Leonce is even described looking at Edna as a possession rather than an
individual, which only further emphasizes the ideological divide between the two.

List three unique traits that describe the authors style (3 point):

Chopin uses colloquial language for her writing as her sentences and word choice are very
straightforward. There are no large, unnecessary words that only confuse the reader, nor are
there long sentences that seem to have no end. Chopin also employs regionalist writing since she
often interjects French phrases that are typical of Southern Louisiana Creole society. This
technique, also known as local color writing, illustrates what life was really like in that region
through the emphasis on their dialect. Chopins writing is also very controlled. She utilizes
precise diction and always follows grammatical rules.


An example/quote that demonstrates the style (1 point):

The Pontelliers possessed a very charming home on Esplanade Street in New Orleans. It was a
large, double cottage, with a broad front veranda, whose round, fluted columns supported the
sloping roof. The house was painted a dazzling white; the outside shutters, or jalousies, were
green. In the yard, which was kept scrupulously neat, were flowers and plants of every
description which flourishes in South Louisiana (Chopin 47-8).



Three Memorable Moments from the Work
Moment (3 points)

1. While at Grand Isle, Edna goes to a
marvelous party. There she hears for the
first time Mademoiselle Reisz play the
piano, and later she swims in the ocean
also for the first time.

2. During her time in New Orleans, Edna
begins an affair with Alcee Arobin, a
Significant/Purpose (6 points)

1. At the party Edna becomes enthralled by
Reiszs piano playing. It seems to
awaken her senses as the very passions
themselves were aroused within her
soul, swaying it, lashing it (Chopin 26).
Later, Edna swims out in the Gulf by
herself for the first time. This experience
is described with childish imagery as she
Title: The Awakening Author: Kate Chopin Genre: Bildungsroman (Psychological or moral
growth story)

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well-known womanizer.

3. Robert, after returning from Mexico,
visits Edna in her home. He admits his
immense love for her but in the end
leaves her.
is like a newborn experiencing the world
for the first time. Both experiences
liberate and empower Edna. The music
of Reisz helps her experience wild, vivid
emotions, unknown to her before. Her
swim empowers Edna to later disobey
her husband and see the world through
a new perspective. The night of the party
is the catalyst for Ednas awakening.

2. Despite her infatuation with Robert,
Edna begins an affair with Alcee. Their
first kiss was a flaming torch that
kindled desire (Chopin 80), proving how
the physical aspect of their relationship
further contributed to Ednas
awakening. Later she describes how she
felt as if a mist had been lifted from her
eyes, enabling her to look upon and
comprehend the significance of life
(Chopin 80). Edna realizes how love and
feelings are fleeting. She also uses Alcee
to rebel against society. By having a
physical relationship with Alcee that is
not based in love, Edna goes against
every tradition in Victorian society. This
relationship also proves to the reader
that women have sexual desires and
needs like men.

3. When Edna and Robert are finally
reunited, they admit their affection for
one another, which have been growing
since the summer. Robert admits he
dreams of stealing Edna away from
Leonce and making her his wife.
However, Edna exclaims that [she] [is]
no longer one of Mr. Pontelliers
possessions to dispose of or not (Chopin
102). Edna even admits that even if she
could, she would not become Roberts
wife. This unsettles Robert; he realizes
that Edna is far more willing to break
societys rules than he is. Ednas
Title: The Awakening Author: Kate Chopin Genre: Bildungsroman (Psychological or moral
growth story)

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awakening has separated her far from
Robert in their ideologies. Robert will
not go against societys conventions to
the extent Edna wishes him to, so he
rejects her through a small, pathetic
note. Without Robert, Edna realizes she
is completely alone in her awakening.


Memorable Characters (at least three)
Name: Edna Pontellier

Role (1 point): Protagonist, wife of Leonce, lover of Alcee Arobin and Robert Lebrun

Significance/Purpose (2 points):

Edna starts out as slightly different from the other Creole mothers and wives. However, she still
obeys her husband and assumes typical female gender role of the time period. She seems to be
going along in her life in a hazeunaware of her own feelings and desires. While at Grand Isle,
Edna has new experiences that are the catalyst for her awakening. These include her falling in
love with Robert, learning to swim, and hearing Reisz play the piano. All of them liberate her
from her mundane life and empower her to go against societys strict conventions. Edna begins
to form an identity separate from her husband and children. In doing so, Edna recognizes her
own sexual desires and is able to act upon them through an affair with Alcee Arobin. Ednas
suicide is a result of her wanting to preserve her integrity but not negatively impacting her
children. Madame Ratignolles ominous warning to think of the children (Chopin 104), helps
Edna realize that her actions have consequences that greatly affect her children, whom are
completely dependent upon her. Thus, through her suicide, Edna can maintain her
independence, will, and autonomy but still protect her childrens reputations.

Chopin often employs child-like imagery and word choice to convey Ednas awakening
throughout the novel. At Grand Isle Edna is like a toddler seeing the world for the first time. She
is eager yet fumbling in her actions to rebel against society. Upon returning to New Orleans she
becomes insolent and self-absorbed, almost similar to a teenager. Edna is extremely self-
absorbed, because she does not consider the consequences of her affairs and even leaves her
children with their grandmother without much consideration.

Name: Robert Lebrun

Role (1 point): Son of Madame Lebrun, Ednas lover

Significance/Purpose (2 points):

Title: The Awakening Author: Kate Chopin Genre: Bildungsroman (Psychological or moral
growth story)

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Robert is a twenty-four year old man who has a reputation of devoting himself to married women
whilst at Grand Isle. That summer he devotes himself to Edna, but he ends up falling in love
with her. The flirtations between Edna and Robert awaken her desire for a romantic and
passionate partner. Robert decides to take a job in Mexico since he cannot stand to be near Edna
if they cannot be together. This decision only makes the longing between the pair more intense
as evidenced by Ednas behavior when she is in New Orleans. Unlike Edna, Robert understands
that their affair is incompatible with Creole society. He knows that it is impossible for them to be
together, which results in him leaving a note with the words I love you. Good-bybecause I love
you (Chopin 106), revealing his decision to not pursue a relationship with Edna. Robert also
conforms to society, by naively hoping that Edna would be his wife and that he could take her
from Leonce. This belief conveys that he still views Edna as a possession rather than an
individual, which furthers the ideological divide between Edna and Robert at the end of the
novel.

Name: Mademoiselle Reisz

Role (1 point): Friend of Edna and Robert, Ednas mentor

Significance/Purpose (2 points):

Mademoiselle Reisz is an unpopular elderly woman that lives alone as a musician. She is
extremely independent as she is without any immediate family. Edna wants her lifestyle. Reisz
also represents what Ednas life could have been like had she left her family. Edna and Reisz are
connected through her piano playing. Edna is the only one in the room who is moved and brought
to tears by Reiszs music, proving their mutual understanding of emotions and self-expression.
Mademoiselle Reisz is a friend of Robert who receives letters from him whilst he is in Mexico. So
Edna is also connected to her through Robert. Reisz is the opposite of Madame Ratignolle who is
the epitome of domesticity. The two also loathe one another, furthering their contrasting
qualities. The relationship between Edna and Reisz is an allusion to the myth of Icarus and
Daedalus (see bits of info section!).

Setting: List all the significant settings throughout the work. Note that if there is a
change in location, then its typically important. (3 points):

The novel opens in Grand Isle, an island South of New Orleans, where the Pontelliers and other
families are staying for the summer. After the summer ends, the Pontelliers move back to New
Orleans in their large, stuffy, opulent home. Edna returns to Grand Isle for the last time to
commit suicide in the Gulf. The novel is set in the late nineteenth century, which is known as the
Victorian era.

Setting: Why are they each significant to the work as a whole? (5 points):

Title: The Awakening Author: Kate Chopin Genre: Bildungsroman (Psychological or moral
growth story)

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The setting of Grand Isle is the impetus for Ednas awakening. Her swims in the ocean liberate
and empower her. At the island she becomes increasingly independent and no longer views
herself as simply a possession of her husband. Returning to New Orleans forces Edna to return
to the real world. She must receive callers every Tuesday and do other domestic chores, which
greatly upsets Edna. By returning to Grand Isle for her suicide, Edna returns to where her
awakening began. Chopin sets the novel in the South due to the flirtatious yet extremely
conservative Creole society. The Creoles, wealthy French Americans, are exceptionally open
about their lives, which at first intimidates the reserved Edna but then forces her to be open as
well. However, the Creoles look down upon deviations for the norm and instead admire women
like Madame Ratignolle, who is the epitome of domesticity. Setting the novel in the Victorian era
further emphasizes the restrictive society Edna lives in.

Write three theme statements from the work. Note, this is not a list of motifs (one-word
responses). I highly recommend these be in a thesis sentence format. (3 points):

1. Women should break free from the heavy chains of social conventions.
2. Autonomy in a conservative society leads to solitude.
3. Marriage traps women, making them possessions rather than individuals.

How does the author address each theme, and what is his/her purpose? (6 points):

1. By the end of the novel Edna isnt bound to social conventions. She is able to find her own
identity that is beyond that of a mother and a wife. For the first time in Ednas life, she
feels happy and complete, because she has gone against the traditional gender roles of
society. Mademoiselle Reisz is another woman who has left her typical female gender role.
She is able to live autonomously without obligations to family or friends. Although both of
these womens choices came with consequences, the women felt more alive, happy, and
complete through their rebellious decision.

2. Edna leaves the strict Victorian social conventions but ends up alone both emotionally and
physically. Most of her time is spent by herself at New Orleans. Reisz also experiences this
consequence as she has no immediate family or very close friends. Edna realizes that she
is completely alone in her beliefs when even Robert will not rebel against society with her.
The moment when Robert is horrified by Edna saying that she in no mans possessions is
when Edna realizes how alone she is in her beliefs.

3. Chopin presents marriage as an entrapping social institution in the novel. Leonce solely
views his wife as a possession that is only good to show off. Edna is also simply just a
listless woman throughout her marriage prior to her awakening. Marriage forces women
to be second-class to men and leaves them without their own identity. Even when Edna
visits Monsieur and Madame Ratignolle, she feels pity for her friend, because Madame
will never have her own life separate from her husband and children.
Title: The Awakening Author: Kate Chopin Genre: Bildungsroman (Psychological or moral
growth story)

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At least two miscellaneous bits of information about the work: (2 points):

1. Chopin often uses bird imagery to illustrate the transformation of Edna from a caged bird
to a free one. While at Grand Isle, Madame Lebrun owns a parrot and a mockingbird,
which are only able to repeat meaningless phrases rather than fly. In New Orleans Edna
moves from her large, grand family home to her pigeon house, which still manages to cage
her as it is far from the freedom she desires. When Edna commits suicide, there is a bird
with a broken wing falling from the sky. The bird can symbolize Edna as she is defeated
by societys rigid conventions or the position of Victorian women as the social standard
falls to the ground. Even Mademoiselle Reisz feels for Ednas wings and tells her she must
strong wings to soar over tradition.
2. The relationship between Mademoiselle Reisz and Edna is an allusion to the Greek myth
of Daedalus and Icarus. In the myth Daedalus and Icarus are trapped in a labyrinth.
Daedalus, the father, crafts wings for them to escape with. During their flight, Icarus
becomes overconfident and flies too close to the sun. This melts the wax holding together
the feathers, and Icarus falls to his death in the sea. Both Mademoiselle Reisz and Edna
are trapped by the social conventions of the time. Reisz teaches Edna how to escape and
mentors her in the process. There is even bird imagery in their discussions to allude to
this myth. However, Edna ultimately dies in the ocean as well after becoming
overconfident in a restrictive society.