West Forsyth Major Works Data Sheet AP Literature and Composition Class Period: 1B Title of Work:The Awakening Author:

Katie Chopin Date of Publication: 1899 Genre: Fiction Characteristics of the Genre: Realism has to deal with ordinary people suffering the harsh realities of everyday life. This is seen in the book through Ednas disliking of her current situation. Naturalism is a it more intensified that realism and it focuses on man as helpless against fate and natural forces. This style usually has a more pessimistic feel. This can be seen in the novel through Edna and Roberts love because they love each other but fate wins in the end. Verisimilitude is also a characteristic of these genres and is seen in the book through Edna and Leonces marriage. On the surface it may look fine, but there is a great deal of underlying issues. Biographical Information about the Author: Kate Chopin was born into a wealthy St. Louis family in 1851. She was born from French Catholic and Irish extraction parents. In 1870, she married into a prominent Louisiana Creole family. She lived in New Orleans and northwest Louisiana with six children until the death of her husband in 1882. Chopin then returned to St. Louis after the death of her husband and started turn to writing as a way to earn for living to support her family. In 1889, her stories are being published in the magazines and a year later, her first novel At Fault was published. In 1899, Chopins second novel The Awakening was published and was causing a great controversy. In 1904, Chopin died.

Historical Information about the Period of Publication: The publication period was in the Victoria Era as considered by the British, when most of the wealthy in America would duplicate British style. In the year of 1899, the first use of the word for automobile showed up in an editorial from New York Times. Also Congress authorized Lafayette silver dollars. The production of automobiles and the new money caused rise to Middle class to migrate from cities to suburban .The desire of materialistic has also increased due to the increase of wealth.

Plot Summary: Edna Pontellier is the main Protagonist of the Awakening but the novel starts off by introducing Mr. Pontelleir reading the newspaper trying to get some rest before he has to set out for work in New York. Edna begins to develop feelings for Robert Lebrun. At the same time, while she is developing feelings for Robert, she has began to practice actions that would begin show her true nature such as going swimming or denying invites to a small gathering. When Robert leaves to Mexico Edna feels that she has not been satisfied with her passions, so she begins an affair with Alcee Arobin, a neighborhood player. As Edna explores her sexual passions she is awakened by a longing for independence especially from her husband (financially). So she moves into a small house called the pigeon house. After this change Robert decides to come back confessing that he indeed loves her but cannot be with a married women. Heartbroken by this trauma she takes off all her clothes and begins to swim into the ocean until exhaustion.

Description of the Authors Style: Chopins style consists of lots of regionalism and local color, which can be seen all throughout The Awakening. This entails usually focusing on a certain segment and setting of society and possibly paralleling their way of speaking, class system, and other characteristics of the culture.

Example that Demonstrates Style and Explanation: Chopin includes a lot of French phrases in the book to add to the local color and regionalist style. One example is on page 19 in chapter 8, Robert says Tiens! Voila que Madame Ratignolleest jalousie! This is in French and helps show the local color of the characters.

Memorable Quotations Quotation (and Speaker): 1. Significance:

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I realized what a cur I was to dream of such a thing, even if you had been willing Robert

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And, moreover, to succeed, the artist must posses the courageous soul. The soul that dares and defies." Mademoiselle Reisz

Robert is telling Edna that his dream of having her as his wife is ridiculous, but he thinks about it anyway. This expresses the love he has for Edna and illustrates the societal standard of a women belonging to her husband. The fact that Edna cannot be with Robert even though she wants to be also illustrates the theme that a woman in this time period cannot survive if she goes against society. Mademoiselle Reisz represents the older version of Edna in that she lives outside of the societal standards of marriage and has an artistic mind. In this quotes she encourages Edna to follow her artistic soul and defy society. Mademoiselle Reisz is the only character in the novel who truly understands Edna. This description of Mr. Pontelliers viewpoint portrays Ednas outward conformity and inward rebellion that works its way out throughout the novel. Her husbands ignorance of her true self represents the mindset of society; everyone is expected to live and act a certain way, and those who oppose those standards are not understood by others.

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He could see plainly that she was not herself. That is, he could not see that she was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world. Narrator

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The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation. Narrator She perceived that her will had blazed up, stubborn and resistant. She could not at that moment have done other than denied and resisted. She wondered if her husband had ever spoken to her like that before, and if she had submitted to his command. Narrator

This quote relates to the symbol of the sea and its significance to Edna. The sea is Ednas place of awakening, as well as her escape from the overwhelming society; this escape tempts her throughout her life as she starts to express her inward contemplation. Edna resistance to her husbands command for her to come to bed is her first open act of defiance. This empowering act sparks Ednas continued defiance and a greater self awareness of her previous conformity.

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10. They were women who idolized their children, worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels.Narrator

This illustrates the role of women in society during this time. They are expected to be wives and mothers that follow their husbands and treat their kids with the upmost care. Edna however does not fit this profile.

Characters Name:

1. Edna Pontellier

Major Characters Role (What role does this person Significance (Why is this have in the story?): character significant to the story?): Edna is the main character in the She plays as a women going novel. She plays the wife of against her role in society. She Lonce and the mother of Raoul builds her self-esteem by and Etienne. changing her behaviors and actions to fulfill her own pleasures. Her character is a protagonist, setting the theme of the story.

Character Traits (What sort of person is this?): Edna is independent by choosing her own lifestyle. She is emotional as she expresses her love her love toward Robert. She is defiant when she resist her role with her husband and children. She is indecisive as she changes her mind about marriage. Robert is flirtatious as he tries to impresses Edna by his ways even though he already has a woman. He is also socialized as he follows the dominant male role in society. He is narrow minded when he believes that his love toward Edna could never been true in the eyes of society due to her marriage situation. Mademoiselle Reisz is very artistic through her piano playing. She is passionate in the way she shows her strong feeling toward Ednas care. She is wise as she gives advice to Edna regarding her love life. Lonce is a very busy man by going in and out of town for his occupation. He is very selfish as seen when he covers up Ednas moving so he wont have a bad reputation. Adle is conceited because she believes that Edna should live like she does. She is faithful to her husband and children by the way she greatly loves them. She is cheerful by the way she sees nothing wrong with her life and looks on the positive side of things. Alce is a sexy single gentleman who is known as the Don Juan for his seductive ways toward women. He is greedy by the way he shows his love to Edna even though he knows that she is already married.

2. Robert Lebrun

Robert is the son of Mademoiselle Lebrun and the brother of Victor Lebrun. He is the one that Edna falls in love with by his flirty actions.

Robert influences Edna to expresses her true feelings. He resembles the excitement and love that Edna desires. He is the main reason why Edna commits suicide because she realizes that since she can not have him; there is nothing left but solitude.

3. Mademoiselle Reisz

Mademoiselle Reisz is a single elderly woman who is a talented pianist. She serves as a mentor to Edna who expresses her emotions and desires.

Mademoiselle Reisz lives by herself with her own pleasures. She represents the person that Edna would want to be if she did not marry or was not in life Edna wants her life of solitude with nothing to worry about. Lonce represents the average working man who believes in the female and male roles in Victorian society. He does not understand Ednas unusual complexion. Adle is an example of the modern Victorian housewife. She loves her husband and gives the best care to her children. Her actions such as giving birth to children discourage Ednas desire to marry Robert.

4. LoncePontellier

Lonce is the husband of Edna Pontellier and the father of Raoul and Etienne. He plays a business man to earn money for his family.

5. AdleRatignolle

Adle is a good friend of Edna. She helps Edna through her changing ways and behaviors but she reminds Edna that she should stay and be faithful to her husband and children.

6. AlceArobin

Alce is the owner of the lake house at Grand Isle. Once he realizes Ednas longing for a change, he starts to become interested in her and begins to spend time with her.

Alce is a plays as a temporarily replacement of Robert toward Edna while he is in Mexico. Together, they fall in love which satisfies Ednas physical desires.

7. Colonel

The colonel plays Ednas father. Even though she does not get along with him very well, she entertains her father during his visit over at the house.

The colonel disapproves of Ednas changing behavior when she rejects going to her sisters wedding. He advises Lonce to take more control over Edna.

8. Doctor Mandelet

Doctor Mandelet is medical doctor to the Pontellier family.

Doctor Mandelet gives Lonce the advice to give Edna space during her awakening. He also helps Edna understand what she is looking for in her life. This encourages Edna to pursue actions and behaviors against society

The colonel is old by the way his hair is mentioned as white. He is a strict man as seen by the way he does not respond well to Mr. Pontelliers adventurous experiences. He is also protective as he wishes that Edna was not with AlceArobin. Doctor Mandelet is wise in the advice he gives to Lonce to leave his wife by herself for a while so she can have some time alone. He isunderstanding as he realizes and accepts Ednas changing ways. He is kind by the way he offers his help to Lonce and Edna whenever they are having trouble.

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Description of the Setting(s) and the Mood the Setting(s) Create: Grand Isle This is where the novel begins and where the main characters spend their summer months. Edna had her awakening here. She begins to go against society. She experiences the feeling of liberation for the first time in her life. For example, she refuses to move from the porch and go inside when her husband asks her. She also learns how to swim. This demonstrates her finding her true identity and grasping the feeling of freedom that forever changes her life. Grand Isle represents all the internal changes that Edna goes through during the novel because this is the place where it all begins. That is why this setting is where she dies. Pigeon house This is the small house which Edna moves to while her husband is gone due to his work. He does not approve of her move so he has workers sent to their home to renovate so that it looks as if there is a reason Edna has moved out. The Pigeon house represents Ednas rebellious actions against society. Here she spends most of her time painting and with Alcee, one of the three men in her life. In this home, she exhibits her true nature and character that has been repressed all along. House in New Orleans This is the beautiful home on Esplanade Street in which Edna and her husband live. It is considered a wealthy home and they have many servants. Edna feels restrained here; she cannot be herself. Instead she has to follow her husbands wishes. For example, she has visitors over every Tuesday for reception day. It upsets her husband when she decides she does not want to do this anymore. This feeling of restraint eventually drives Edna to move out and into the Pigeon house. Major Symbols, Motifs, Images: Symbols -Bird cage: The bird was kept pinned up and had no way of escaping and obtaining freedom. It continuously repeated the same words over and over again, never once understood by anyone. Chopin uses the bird to symbolize the life of Edna, always being restricted to her home and not being able to fully express her thoughts and opinions at the beginning of the novel. -birds- Birds are probably the animal that is most free. Thy have the ability to spread their wings and soar wherever they like. The birds throughout the novel symbolize Edna's character because she flies away from the lifestyle she once knew and becomes free. She has the ability to escape the prison she believes she lives in. -Pigeon house- The pigeon house symbolizes freedom as well. For once, Edna has the ability to live on her own, they way se has wanted for many years of living with Leonce. -water- Chopin uses water as an escape route for Edna in the end of the novel, when she drowns. The water took away her pain, but also brought new experiences into her life. She learned to swim and In this case, the water symbolized new beginnings. Learning to swim showed Edna that she was not too old to learn new things and experience different things than what she has been experiencing. Motifs -Clothing: Clothing acts as a motif in this novel because it restricts a person, in this case Edna, and encloses them. When Edna's husband travels out of town for work, Edna does not dress

Significance of the Opening Scene: This Novel opens at Grand Isle, a place where many wealthy French people spend their summer. Mr.Pontellier is the first character who is introduced, and he is said to be reading his newspaper whiletrying to relax outside. He observes his children playing by the water and then is approached by hiswife Edna and her friend Robert. When Mr. Pontellier sees his wife, he reprimands her for swimmingduring the hottest part of the day because she is sunburned. Soon after, Mr. Pontellier departs to go playbilliards and leaves Edna to chat with Robert. I. What sort of first impression does Mr. Pontellier make? Mr. Pontellier comes across as a man of high class and very put together. His hair is described as beingparted to one side and neatly and closely trimmed. He seems to be aware of his outward appearanceand the importance of looking clean and polished. II. How does the first scene contain examples of foreshadowing? One example that contains foreshadowing is when Mr. Pontellier is speaking to Edna, and the narratorsays, He looked at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property which has sufferedsome damage. This foreshadows the relationship Mr. Pontellier will have with Edna, and how he willlook at her more as a status symbol and be more concerned with wealth than a loving relationship.Also, when Edna asks her husband if he will be joining her for dinner, and he responds by saying hedoesn't know, this shows that being with Edna is not his first priority, and it could cause problems in thefuture.

Significance of the Ending/Closing Scene: 1. At the end of the novel Edna returns to Grand Isle. It is fitting for her to return there because that is where we first met her and that is where she decided to take control of her life and change. 2. The final chapter ends with her swimming out into the water and notstopping. Throughout the novel she has been drawn to the sea and inmultiple chapters the novel showed her conquering the fear of thewater by testing her abilities. It seems fit that she should die bydrowning because she is constantly facing the water. 3. Edna was primarily motivated by Robert s departure. She was hurtthat he left and she hated to conform to society, so as her final actof independence she returned to Grand Isle and chose to take a swim.

normally, she stays in simple clothing, staying unrestricted, theway she likes it. Also, when she drowns in the sea at Grand Isle, she is not wearing clothes because she is freeing herself from the tight grip the world has upon her. Because she is so against the norm, her decisions on what he wears tends to reflect her morals and thoughts aboutsociety and her life. -art- Throughout the novel, art, such as music is repeated numerous times. Edna understands the depth music has and can easily relate her life to music that Mademoiselle Reisz plays on the piano. Her mind becomes full of pictures that only she can comprehend. Music is played many times throughout the novel and carries huge sentimental value in Edna's life. -swimming- Edna learns to swim and becomes overwhelmed with excitement. But swimming in the sea also ends Edna's life. In a way, the sea drew Edna in for new experiences because she was living her life very dully. Swimming in the sea is seen many times in the novel and is Edna's way of being a child again. -houses- Edna stays at many different house throughout the novel. First the house at Grand Isle, then the house in New Orleans, and then the pigeon house. The constant movement from house to house shows the instability in Edna's life. The reoccurrence of this shows that Edna cannot really change her life as much as she would like but can only escape to a new destination every once in a while. -children- The children are brought up numerous times in the novel. Edna is like a child. She is childlike when she learns to swim and childish when she argues with her husband about her bedtime. She also thinks of her children very little but they away her decision to commit suicide, if of course it was a consciously made decision. She loved her children but because of her previous decisions, her fellow neighbors would associate her children with her and they would have a hard life growing up. Themes: An intellectual independence goes hand in hand with societal isolation. There is always conflict between the wants and needs of friends and family and a persons own wants and needs. Possible Topics/Questions for Discussion: 1. Throughout the novel, there are many images of birds the parrot at the beginning, the pigeon house, and mockingbirds. What is the importance and significance of using various images of birds? 2. Adele is a foil character of Edna. Explain their differences and the significance of having a character like Adele in the novel. 3. Explain in detail why the title, The Awakening, is an accurate title for the novel. 4. How does Edna act differently when she is away at Grand Isle and when she is home in New Orleans? 5. Think about Ednas suicide at the end of the novel. Do you think her death was intended? Do you thin k it was an act of bravery or weakness?