Read the excerpt from chapter 11 of The Awakening.

Edna began to feel like one who awakens gradually out of a dream, a delicious, grotesque, impossible dream, to feel again the realities pressing into her soul. The physical need for sleep began to overtake her; the exuberance which had sustained and exalted her spirit left her helpless and yielding to the conditions which crowded her in.

Which best captures the image conveyed by the phrases “pressing into her soul” and “conditions which crowded her in”?
an open air porch
a vast untamed ocean
a bed heavy with blankets
a small prison cell

11 answers

The best option that captures the image conveyed by the phrases “pressing into her soul” and “conditions which crowded her in” is a small prison cell. This choice reflects a sense of confinement and pressure, suggesting that Edna is feeling overwhelmed and trapped by her realities, similar to how one might feel in a small, restrictive space.

Read the excerpt from chapter 12 of The Awakening.

[Robert] had soon joined her. [Edna] had never sent for him before. She had never asked for him. She had never seemed to want him before. She did not appear conscious that she had done anything unusual in commanding his presence. He was apparently equally unconscious of anything extraordinary in the situation. But his face was suffused with a quiet glow when he met her.

Which best explains how the excerpt is an example of naturalism?
The characters are described according to their actions in the present, and their behaviors are believable.
The characters’ behaviors are routine and described in a matter-of-fact manner.
The characters’ actions reflect an optimistic view of human nature and the ability of people to exercise free will.
The characters are described as “not conscious” and “unconscious” with respect to the internal forces driving their actions.

The best explanation of how the excerpt is an example of naturalism is: The characters are described as “not conscious” and “unconscious” with respect to the internal forces driving their actions. This perspective emphasizes the idea that characters are influenced by underlying psychological and social forces beyond their awareness, which is a key element of naturalism.

Read the sentence from chapter 13 of The Awakening.

The shadows lengthened and crept out like stealthy, grotesque monsters across the grass.

Which best describes the underlying tone connotated by the words in this sentence?
indifferent
foreboding
angry
romantic

The best description of the underlying tone connotated by the words in the sentence is foreboding. The imagery of shadows lengthening and creeping out like "stealthy, grotesque monsters" suggests an ominous or threatening presence, creating a sense of unease and anticipation of something negative.

Read the excerpt from chapter 11 of The Awakening.

With a writhing motion, [Edna] settled herself more securely in the hammock. She perceived that her will had blazed up, stubborn and resistant.

Which best describes how the author adds power to Edna’s feelings in the excerpt?
The author uses strong adjectives and figurative language.
The author uses the denotative meanings of words and a series of actions.
The author uses strong adjectives and exaggerated character traits.
The author uses an underlying tone of suspense and figurative language

The best description of how the author adds power to Edna’s feelings in the excerpt is: The author uses strong adjectives and figurative language. The phrase "writhing motion" and the description of her will as "blazed up, stubborn and resistant" employ vivid imagery and strong language that convey intensity and strength in her feelings.

Read the sentence from chapter 11 of The Awakening.

[Edna] tottered up the steps, clutching feebly at the post before passing into the house.

Which best explains why the sentence is representative of Chopin’s style?
The words “at the post” and “house” are used for their literal meanings.
The words “tottered” and “clutching feebly” have strong connotative meanings.
The words “up the steps” and “passing into” provide a sense of forward movement.
The words “up the steps” and “at the post” create a powerful image of the setting.

The best explanation for why the sentence is representative of Chopin’s style is: The words “tottered” and “clutching feebly” have strong connotative meanings. These phrases convey a sense of vulnerability and struggle, reflecting Edna's emotional state and enhancing the depth of the character's experience in a nuanced way, which is characteristic of Chopin's writing style.

Read the excerpt from chapter 11 of The Awakening.

Edna arose, cramped from lying so long and still in the hammock. She tottered up the steps, clutching feebly at the post before passing into the house.

Which words and phrases from the excerpt best reflect Chopin’s connotative style?
“lying so long,” “hammock,” and “house”
“arose,” “still,” and “up the steps”
“cramped,” “tottered,” and “clutching feebly”
“at the post,” “before,” and “passing into”

The words and phrases from the excerpt that best reflect Chopin’s connotative style are: “cramped,” “tottered,” and “clutching feebly.” These terms carry strong connotations that evoke feelings of discomfort, instability, and vulnerability, which enhance the emotional depth of Edna's experience.