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Read the excerpt from chapter 17 of The Awakening.

Once she stopped, and taking off her wedding ring, flung it on the carpet. When she saw it lying there, she stamped her heel upon it, striving to crush it. But her small boot heel did not make an indenture, not a mark upon the little glittering circlet.

Which best explains how the excerpt is evidence of an emerging theme of the novel?
The action in the excerpt takes place with a small boot heel, which symbolizes a drive to step on or over obstacles.
The action in the excerpt revolves around clothing items and jewelry traditionally worn by women as opposed to men.
The action in the excerpt is executed by a woman who uses her hands and feet to express strong emotion.
The action in the excerpt takes place around a wedding ring, which is a traditional symbol of a formalized bond between partners.

7 answers

The action in the excerpt takes place around a wedding ring, which is a traditional symbol of a formalized bond between partners.

This explanation best captures the significance of the excerpt as it highlights the woman's rejection of her marriage and the societal expectations that come with it. By throwing the wedding ring and attempting to crush it, she is symbolically challenging the constraints of her relationship and expressing her desire for independence, which aligns with the novel's themes of self-discovery and breaking free from societal norms.

Read the excerpt from chapter 17 of The Awakening.

She turned back into the room and began to walk to and fro down its whole length, without stopping, without resting. She carried in her hands a thin handkerchief which she tore into ribbons, rolled into a ball, and flung from her.

Which best describes how the author establishes mood in the excerpt?
through figurative language
through a character’s actions
through strong adjectives
through a detailed setting

The author establishes mood in the excerpt through a character’s actions.

The description of the character walking back and forth restlessly, tearing the handkerchief into ribbons, and throwing it signifies agitation, turmoil, and emotional distress. These actions convey a sense of anxiety and frustration, which contributes to the overall mood of the scene.

Read the excerpt from chapter 17 of The Awakening.

Once she stopped, and taking off her wedding ring, flung it on the carpet. When she saw it lying there, she stamped her heel upon it, striving to crush it. But her small boot heel did not make an indenture, not a mark upon the little glittering circlet.

The excerpt best demonstrates which emerging theme?
Marriage involves some degree of conflict, and there will be times when partners do not agree.
It is difficult for women to challenge and overcome gender roles that are deeply engrained in a society.
It is important for women to have physical outlets for the expression of emotions.
Marriage requires a significant level of compromise and sacrifice on the parts of both partners.

The excerpt best demonstrates the theme that it is difficult for women to challenge and overcome gender roles that are deeply engrained in a society.

The act of throwing the wedding ring and attempting to crush it symbolizes a rejection of the traditional role and expectations of marriage that constrain her. Despite her efforts to assert her independence and challenge those societal norms, the wedding ring remains unmarked, emphasizing the difficulty of fully breaking free from the entrenched gender roles and expectations.

Read the dialogue between Mrs. and Mr. Pontellier from chapter 17 of The Awakening.

“Why, what could have taken you out on Tuesday? What did you have to do?

“Nothing. I simply felt like going out, and I went out.”

“Well I hope you left some suitable excuse,” said her husband, somewhat appeased, as he added a dash of cayenne pepper to the soup.

“No, I left no excuse. I told Joe to say I was out, that was all.”

“Why, my dear, I should think you’d understand by this time that people don’t do such things; we’ve got to observe les convenances if we ever expect to get on and keep up with the procession. If you felt that you had to leave home this afternoon, you should have left some suitable explanation for your absence.”

The excerpt best demonstrates which emerging theme?
Wives must conform to certain roles in society in order to support their husbands.
Women who do not conform to traditional roles imposed by society are negatively judged.
Wives are the guardians of hearth and home, while husbands come and go in order to secure resources.
Women who do not seek identities of their own, separate from their families, are negatively judged.

The excerpt best demonstrates the theme that women who do not conform to traditional roles imposed by society are negatively judged.

Mr. Pontellier's insistence that his wife had to provide a "suitable excuse" for her absence reflects societal expectations regarding women's behavior and roles. His reaction highlights the judgment and pressure women face when they deviate from accepted norms. Mrs. Pontellier's desire to act on her own feelings without justification illustrates her struggle against these traditional roles.