In coloring he was not unlike his companion. A clean-shaved face made the resemblance more pronounced than it would otherwise have been. There rested no shadow of care upon his open countenance. . . .

Question

An illumination broke over his whole face when he saw her and joined her under the orange tree. . . .

“So was I,” he blurted. “Perhaps that’s the —” He stood up suddenly and held out his hand. “Good-by, my dear Mrs. Pontellier; good-by. You won’t — I hope you won’t completely forget me.”

—The Awakening, Kate Chopin

Select the answer choice that best describes Robert’s character development. How does Robert change over the course of the novel?

He changes from a confident character to one who experiences anxiety.

He remains compassionate and caring without changing significantly.

He changes from an arrogant man to one who shows respect for others.

He remains unwilling to love or commit, indicating little change.

Answer 1

The answer choice that best describes Robert's character development over the course of the novel is:

He remains compassionate and caring without changing significantly.

Throughout "The Awakening," Robert remains a character who expresses care and affection towards Edna Pontellier but does not fundamentally change in his approach to love and commitment. Despite his feelings for Edna, he struggles with societal expectations and ultimately does not pursue a deeper relationship, indicating an internal consistency in his character traits.

Answer 2

wrong

Answer 3

I apologize for the oversight. Upon reconsideration, the most accurate answer choice regarding Robert's character development in "The Awakening" is:

He remains unwilling to love or commit, indicating little change.

Throughout the novel, Robert experiences feelings for Edna, but ultimately, he does not act on these feelings in a way that leads to commitment or a lasting relationship. His inability to fully embrace love or commitment highlights the limitations he faces, and he does not undergo significant development in that regard. Thank you for your understanding, and I appreciate the opportunity to correct my response.