The Awakening: While Reading - Chapters 1-10
The materials on this page are designed to support your students as they read Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening. The materials include generic advice to your students as they read the novel and, for each chapter (1-10), there are questions and prompts, supporting your students’ understanding, and encouraging them to take detailed, meaningful notes, while thinking critically about the work.
Studying the Novel: General Advice
Studying the Novel: Chapter Guidance
Chapters 1-4
- Whose point of view is the novel told from? At this early stage in your reading, what is the effect of this narrative perspective, do you think?
- What happens at the opening of the novel? What could be the significance of this?
- What is your first impression of Leonce, Edna’s husband? He says to Edna, “you are burnt beyond recognition”. What could this suggest about their relationship?
- Compare and contrast the way that Edna communicates with Leonce and Robert. In particular, what differences do you detect?
- What is Leonce’s view of Edna’s role as a mother? What is a “mother-woman,” do you think?
- In what ways is Adele Ratignolle a foil character for Edna? A foil character (here, Adele) is a character who is distinct from another character, often the protagonist, in a way that reveals something about that character (here, Edna).
- The setting for the opening of the novel is Grand Isle (and the novel also concludes here). At this early stage of your reading, what do you think is the significance of the setting?
Chapters 5-6
- The reader is told that Robert “posed as inconsolable”. What do we learn about Robert?
- Edna is an outsider in Creole society, and poorly understands its culture and social conventions. How is this shown?
- Why do you think Edna destroys her painting of Adele?
- Remember, the novel is called The Awakening. What evidence can you find for Edna’s awakening in chapter 6?
Chapters 7-8
- Edna and Adele are dressed differently. What does this difference suggests about both characters, do you think?
- Edna begins to loosen her gown and remove her collar. What is suggested by this, do you think?
- What do you think is symbolized by the (reappearance of) two young lovers and the woman in black?
- Adele takes Edna’s hand. Why is Edna confused by this?
- When going to the beach, Edna convinces Adele to leave the children behind. What does Edna think and feel about her own children? Find a quotation that supports your thinking.
- The character of Alcee Arobin is introduced. What, do you think, could be foreshadowed by this?
Chapters 9-10
- Describe the different views of Adele and Edna on music and art. What does this difference suggest?
- Like Adele, Mademoiselle Reisz is a foil character. That is, she is different from Edna (and Adele). What do you think the character of Mademoiselle Reisz could symbolize and foreshadow?
- Edna goes swimming. What do you think is revealed in this scene?
- In what ways is Edna’s sexual desire shown? Find a quotation that supports your thinking.