The Awakening by Kate Chopin ... Sandra Gilbert in her study of The Awakening
states, “Porches and pianos, mothers and children, skirts and sunshades – all ...
The Awakening by Kate Chopin Surely you didn’t think you would have no work to do? Pity. You do. I will take up your typed copy of the required information following the completion of the novel. I strongly suggest that you keep an on-going reading journal in which you answer the questions as they arise. Do not procrastinate. Do not procrastinate. Examining the Literature as Literature: 1. What is your gut response to the literature? 2. How do you interpret the layers of meaning found within the novella? 3. What is your evaluation of the literature based on the quality of artistic achievement and its place in the social/cultural context of its time? Does it have in relevance for a modern audience? Characters: Getting to know them and watching them squirm. Edna Pontellier
Léonce Pontellier
Adèle Ratignolie
Alcée Arobin
Mademoiselle Reisz
The Colonel
Robert Lebrun Dr. Mandelet
1. Where does the character first appear and in what context? 2. Describe physically. Describe personality and motivation. 3. Relationship to Edna and purpose. Themes: Always important to the AP gods. How does she develop the following? Choose 3 to discuss and note which one you feel is most representative of the work. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Flesh vs. Spirit Personal Freedom Sexism Search for self Choices and consequences: Free will Sex Alienation and loneliness Public vs. Private life
The Symbols: The following 2 assignments will be done in groups. You will turn int a “joint paper” for the symbol discussion and the discussion questions. Work in groups of 3 or 4. Sandra Gilbert in her study of The Awakening states, “Porches and pianos, mothers and children, skirts and sunshades – all these are the props and properties of domesticity, the key elements of what in the nineteenth century was called ‘women’s sphere,’ and it is in this sphere, on the edge of a blue gulf, that Edna Pontellier is securely caged when she first appears . . . she is confined in what is not only literally a ‘women’s sphere’ but, symbolically speaking, the Woman’s House . . . every object and figure has not only a literal domestic function and a dreamlike symbolic radiance but a distinctively female symbolic significance.”
Discuss each of the following symbols and find three passages for each symbol. Copy the passage and cite page number. Dig and be specific. birds clothes houses learning to swim sea piano playing/musical pieces half doubles Discussion Questions: This should help guide your annotations. 1. What kind of marriage do Edna and Leonce Pontellier have? Point to scenes, actions, or statements to support your view. How do you think their marriage will change during the course of the novel? 2. What is Edna’s attitude toward her children? How does it differ from Leonce’s? 3. How have Edna’s earlier life experiences helped make her the person she is now? 4. How is Edna similar or different to Adele Ratignolle and Madamoiselle Reisz? 5. Discuss different aspects of the awakening. When it first becomes apparent, how it develops, when Edna recognizes it. What type of awakening is it – emotional, intellectual, physical? Point to examples. 6. There are many mentions of “half” and “two.” Why? 7. What type of man is Robert Lebrun? 8. Trace Edna’s relationship with the sea. 9. An occasional change of point of view occurs. Note when and why. 10. Structural question: chapters are short. Why? 11. Use of asyndeton in descriptive passages? 12. C & P solitude seems undesirable – Awakening, desirable. Discuss 13. To thine own self be true – relate to this book.
