Background of the work
Class Discussion Questions:
- How would you describe the narrator in The Awakening? Come up with FIVE strong adjectives, and identify passages in the novel to support your choices. Hint: In this novel, the narrator is not a character in the story, nor is it Kate Chopin, the author; the narrator is the voice used to tell the story.
- If you had to describe the way this novel develops to someone who had never read it, what words would you use? By "develop," I mean how are we brought into the story and how do the events and characters unfold. Be specific and give examples.
- How would you describe the attitude of the narrator in The Awakening toward the protagonist, Edna Pontellier? Come up with TWO strong adjectives to describe the attitude conveyed by this voice toward Edna, and identify quotes in the novel to support your choices.
- What are some of the conflicts that develop early in the novel (focusing on value differences between the characters)? What do you think the central dilemma will be for Edna? Be specific and give examples.
- What role does the attitude of the narrator play in helping you recognize and think about the conflicts that emerge as the narrative unfolds?
- Look up Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, and Naturalism. Which of these types of storytelling does The Awakening feature? How can you tell?
- Does the narrator express opinions about the ethical conflict surrounding Edna's behavior, or does the narrator channel the thoughts of the characters so that we can observe without bias?
- What does the narrator’s wandering point of view suggest about her objectivity? Why does the narrator’s style change? How can we tell there is a conflict? Is it internal or external? Consider, especially, the last paragraph of Chapter 18.
- What trait, according to Mademoiselle Reisz, must the artist possess more than anything in order to succeed? What does she mean? Does Edna have this trait? In what ways does she express this trait, even when she is not drawing or painting? And what about her "wings"--are they strong enough to "soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice" (p. 79)?
- Does Edna become unfaithful? What is the significance of her worrying about her loyalty to Robert rather than her husband (p. 74)? Look for lines in the narrative that capture Edna's gradual submission to her extra-marital desires.
- Are we meant to pass judgment on Edna and the other characters (positive or negative) as the conflict escalates? Can we benefit more as readers by engaging in moral debate with each other or by seeking to understand WHY this is all happening? (p. 64).
- Is Kate Chopin a Realist or a Romantic?
- Starting about half way down p. 108 through the end of the novel, the narrator strategically echoes earlier moments in the narrative. Phrases are repeated, images resurface, motifs peak. First, identify some of these by pointing out where they originally surfaced so that the echo is clear.
- What does this narrative strategy suggest about the ultimate "end" of Edna's awakening? She is described as a "new-born creature"—does this mean that she has transcended or regressed? Is the ending meant to be "the awakening" or is the narrator orchestrating some other commentary on what might have been an awakening if only . . . ?
- In light of the narrator’s strategy in the last couple pages of the novel, reflect on your involvement as a READER in what finally happens to Edna (or, if you prefer, not what happens to her, but what she chooses to do).
