The Awakening

1. The Awakening KATE CHOPIN

2. About the author Kate Chopin (born Katherine O'Flaherty on February 8, 1850 – August 22, 1904) was an American author of short stories and novels, mostly of a Louisiana Creole background. She is now considered to have been a forerunner of feminist authors of the 20th century.

3. Setting and content Grand Isle and New Orleans are the two settings for this novel. The story is structured to show how Edna Pontellier gradually “awakens” to her true nature against a backdrop of the rigid moral and social restrictions of conventional 1899 society. This novel deals with both adultery and suicide; therefore, check your maturity.

4. Chapter 1 Objective : Visualizing Setting

5. In this chapter, Chopin gives us a portrait of an island vacation spot. We know that the people who visit there for the summer are familiar with both the place and each other from summers past. • Make a detailed, and colored, sketch of what you think Grand Isle looks like, including the cottages, the main house, and other places mentioned in the chapter. Add any details (and annotations) you think will help capture the likeness of Grand Isle, based on the first chapter’s description.

6. Chapter 4 Objective: Writing a letter of reference

7. Re-read all the information you can find about Mrs. Ratignolle in Chapter IV and write a reference letter for her as though she had been your children’s nanny. Your letter will be the most important reference for Mrs. Ratignolle when she applies for a new position. Write at least three paragraphs about her, updating mentions of her dress, manners, and attitude to reflect current-day expectations. Explain what you think her manner of dress and her actions reveal about the type of caregiver she is. Below is an example of how to begin: To Whom It May Concern; For the years I have known Adéle Ratignolle,

8. Chapter 5 Objective: Re-writing a scene from The Awakening as a play

9. There is much close activity and dialogue between a few characters in Chapter V. Re-read it, imagining the characters on a stage; then rewrite it as a scene in a play. On the next slide is an example that you may use to start your scene. Make sure you include stage directions.

10. The Awakening – Scene 5 As the play opens, a friendly group of people is sitting outside enjoying the summer afternoon. Mrs. Ratignolle: “I want to tell you what I saw the other day on the beach.” [She points to a spot past the large tree.] Mrs. Pontellier and Robert exchange glances and warm smiles.

11. Chapter 6 Objective: Recognizing indications in plot

12. Using the quotation from Chapter VI below for reference, write at least three paragraphs in which you answer the questions that follow. “Edna Pontellier could not have told why, wishing to go to the beach with Robert, she should in the first place have declined, and in the second place have followed in obedience to one of the two contradictory impulses which impelled her. “A certain light was beginning to dawn dimly within her, - the light which, showing the way, forbids it. “At that early period it served but to bewilder her. It moved her to dreams, to thoughtfulness, to the shadowy anguish which had overcome her the midnight when she had abandoned herself to tears. “In short, Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her. This may seem like a ponderous weight of wisdom to descend upon the soul of a young woman of twenty-eight -perhaps more wisdom than the Holy Ghost is usually pleased to vouchsafe to any woman.

13. “But the beginning of things, of a world especially, is necessarily vague, tangled, chaotic, and exceedingly disturbing. How few of us ever emerge from such beginning! How many souls perish in its tumult! “The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation. “The voice of the sea speaks to the soul. The touch o the sea is sensuous, enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace.” Answer the following: • What do you think the author is hinting about a future event in the novel? What do you think is happening to Edna Pontellier’s outlook on life in general? Is this the first or second indication of Edna’s change? What is she changing from? What is she changing into?

14. Chapters 7-10 Objective: Recognizing a simile

15. In Chapters VII-X, there are a number of similes used to describe things, actions, and people. List at least ten similes you find in these chapters and the page numbers on which you find them. One has been done for you. 1. “… of a meadow that seemed as big as the ocean to the very little girl walking through the grass…” Page 33

16. Chapters 1-9 Objective: Recognizing influences on characters’ emotions

17. In Chapters I-IX, Edna Pontellier’s emotions are influenced by many of her family members, friends, and ideas. On the following EMOTIONS DIAGRAM, one connection has been made for you, naming a character or element that kindles the emotion of envy in Edna Pontellier. • Beginning at circle number 3, create a diagram on your paper that illustrates the names of those characters who inspire in Edna the emotions written in the square boxes. You will see three detached circles – numbers 2, 9 and 11 – which do not have any direct influence on her feelings. Find the three characters and put their names in those three circles. Fill in the rest of the numbered circles with appropriate characters’ names. Afterwards, explain the connection between the emotion and character. • Make sure your diagram is easy to read!

19. Now, give your explanation • Circle 1 - Edna Pontellier has a certain amount of envy for Madame Ratignolle whom she feels possesses motherly qualities that Edna herself does not have. • Circle 2 through 12 – explain on your own! • Your options are for the remaining circles are: • Robert Lebrun, Montel, Leonce Pontellier, Mademoiselle Reisz, Monsieur Farival, The Farival twins, Herself, Her family, Her children The sea, A True artist

20. Chapters 1-12 Objective: Defining unfamiliar words

21. In the first few chapters of The Awakening, the author introduces the reader to new words. The book was written in the late 19th century and is set in the Creole society in Louisiana. Words unfamiliar to us today were in common usage in that area at that time. • Using a dictionary or the Internet, create and fill in the following WORD CHART on the next slide. Give the meanings of the words as they are used in the novel and write down the words we would use today. The first one is done for you.

23. Chapters 2-15 Objective: Characterizing Robert Lebrun

24. In Chapters II-XV, we are given a portrait of the man with whom Edna Pontellier falls in love. We know that Robert is the first man Edna relates to when she first experiences her own sensuality and individuality. We also see how he encourages her drive to acquire her independence. • Copy the following TRAIT CHART andfill in the blank space in the second column with evidence supporting Robert’s possession of the given trait. In the last column, put the number or numbers for the pages on which you found the evidence.

26. Chapter 15 Objective: Writing a letter

27. In this chapter, Edna realizes that she is in love with Robert Lebrun and believes he loves her, too. When she finds out that he has plans to leave not only Grand Isle but Louisiana altogether, she is shocked and dismayed. Edna has no one to turn to with her problem and desperately wants someone to talk to about it. • Imagine that Edna can write to an advice columnist anonymously. As Edna, write a multi-paragraph letter explaining your situation and asking for advice. • Follow your letter with a one-paragraph answer from the columnist.

28. Chapter 15 Objective: Interpreting the meaning of language

29. In this chapter, Edna arrives at dinner refreshed from her bath, only to hear that Robert is leaving for Mexico. She had previously heard nothing about it, even though she had spent the morning with him. • Put yourself in the story and answer the following questions. You may use quotations from the novel. 1. What is the significance of Robert’s action? 2. How would you feel if you were Edna? 3. How would you act if you were Robert? 4. In Madame Ratignolle’s place, how would you feel? 5. How is this scene important to Edna’s development?

30. Chapter 1-16 Objective: Finding English definitions for French words

31. In Chapters I-XVI, there are a number of French phrases that have not been translated for us. Write down the meanings for the French words or phrases listed on the following LANGUAGE CHART and list the page numbers on which the French versions are found.

32. Chapter 1-16Objective: Finding English definitions for French words

33. Chapter 16 Objective: writing similes from prose

34. On the following DO-IT-YOURSELF SIMILE CHART, copy and re-write the quotation given using a simile. The first one has been done for you.

36. Chapters 10 - 20 Objective: Writing chapter titles

37. Although the chapters in The Awakening are merely numbered, many authors title their chapters descriptively, including their contents. A chapter that concerns itself with a particularly horrible crime in the center of town, for example, might be “Murder on Main Street.” • Write titles for chapters 10-20 that give some indication of the chapter’s contents. The first one is done for you. Chapter 10: More to the sea than swimming in it

38. Chapters 9, 16, and 21 Objective: Delineating Mademoiselle Reisz

39. Mademoiselle Reisz is portrayed in great detail as a very independent, mature woman and, as an inspiration to Edna Pontellier. • Copy the following TRAIT CHART FOR MADEMOISELLE REISZ, note the trait given in the first column, indicate whether you agree or disagree that Mademoiselle Reisz possesses it, and quote a phrase from the novel to support your judgment. When quoting, be sure to include a page number. The first one has been done for you.

41. Chapter 22 Objective: Interpreting dialogue and actions

42. In Chapter XXII, Léonce Pontellier goes to see Dr. Mandelet, an old friend and the family’s physician. He wants to ask the doctor for some advice but he also wants his own opinions validated. • Re-read the scene between the two men carefully and interpret the meaning of their actions and their words. For example, when the doctor looks disapprovingly over his glasses, his action indicates that he does not look kindly on Léonce’s intrusion.

43. An example is provided for you.

44. Chapters 1-24 Objective: Identifying Léonce Pontellier’s traits

45. People’s character traits can become hallmarks of their personalities. For example, if a person doesn’t steal things or cheat people, that person can be said to possess the quality of honesty or integrity. • Copy the following TRAIT CHART for Léonce Pontellier, name the characteristic located and described in the first two columns. The first one has been completed for you. Give at least two (2) traits for each column.

48. Chapters 25-34 Objective: Analyzing Alcee Arobin

49. Alcée Arobin is introduced to the reader in a rather understated way in Chapter XXIII. Dr. Mandelet hopes to himself that if there is a man other than her husband in Edna’s life it isn’t Arobin. Copy the following TRAIT CHART for Alcée Arobin, list some of his most important traits, quoting from the book to support your choices. Include page numbers. The first one has been done for you.