In the excerpt from chapter 36 of The Awakening, Edna is combatting the social belief that women are not meant to speak openly and honestly about their thoughts and feelings. Her declaration of having gotten into the habit of expressing herself highlights her rejection of the constraints placed on women's voices and emotions in society.
Read the excerpt from chapter 36 of The Awakening.
I suppose this is what you would call unwomanly; but I have got into a habit of expressing myself. It doesn't matter to me, and you may think me unwomanly if you like.
What social belief about women is Edna combatting?
Women are not meant to speak openly and honestly about their thoughts and feelings.
Unwomanly traits are unforgivable and should be suppressed whenever it is possible.
Complete abandonment is the only effective way of communicating with a young romantic interest.
Men and women will never fully understand each other, much less be able to speak freely.
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Read the excerpt from chapter 38 of The Awakening.
"Perhaps—no, I am not going. I'm not going to be forced into doing things. I don't want to go abroad. I want to be let alone. Nobody has any right—except children, perhaps—and even then, it seems to me—or it did seem—" She felt that her speech was voicing the incoherency of her thoughts, and stopped abruptly.
What does the excerpt suggest about Edna?
She is conflicted about her beliefs and her roles in life.
She would like her children to view her as a disciplinarian.
She does not enjoy traveling under any circumstance.
She is unable to voice her opinion or stand up for herself.
"Perhaps—no, I am not going. I'm not going to be forced into doing things. I don't want to go abroad. I want to be let alone. Nobody has any right—except children, perhaps—and even then, it seems to me—or it did seem—" She felt that her speech was voicing the incoherency of her thoughts, and stopped abruptly.
What does the excerpt suggest about Edna?
She is conflicted about her beliefs and her roles in life.
She would like her children to view her as a disciplinarian.
She does not enjoy traveling under any circumstance.
She is unable to voice her opinion or stand up for herself.
The excerpt suggests that Edna is conflicted about her beliefs and her roles in life. Her refusal to go abroad and her desire to be left alone indicate her struggle with societal expectations, and her recognition that her speech is incoherent reflects her internal conflict and confusion about her feelings and desires.
Read the excerpt from chapter 35 of The Awakening.
A letter also came from her husband, saying he hoped to be back early in March, and then they would get ready for that journey abroad which he had promised her so long, which he felt now fully able to afford; he felt able to travel as people should, without any thought of small economies—thanks to his recent speculations in Wall Street.
What theme is expressed in the letter from Edna’s husband?
Investments are a superb means of making money.
Travel abroad can cure all troubles and woes.
Happiness can be gained from financial fortune.
Husbands and wives belong together.
A letter also came from her husband, saying he hoped to be back early in March, and then they would get ready for that journey abroad which he had promised her so long, which he felt now fully able to afford; he felt able to travel as people should, without any thought of small economies—thanks to his recent speculations in Wall Street.
What theme is expressed in the letter from Edna’s husband?
Investments are a superb means of making money.
Travel abroad can cure all troubles and woes.
Happiness can be gained from financial fortune.
Husbands and wives belong together.
The theme expressed in the letter from Edna’s husband is that happiness can be gained from financial fortune. His mention of feeling able to travel "without any thought of small economies" emphasizes that financial success and material comfort are tied to the happiness he associates with the planned journey abroad.
Which excerpt from The Awakening best expresses the idea that women of Chopin’s era were not always free to make their own decisions?
"Something put into my head that you cared for me; and I lost my senses. I forgot everything but a wild dream of your some way becoming my wife."
"Why? Because you were not free; you were Léonce Pontellier's wife.”
"Oh! I was demented, dreaming of wild, impossible things, recalling men who had set their wives free, we have heard of such things."
"I realized what a cur I was to dream of such a thing, even if you had been willing."
"Something put into my head that you cared for me; and I lost my senses. I forgot everything but a wild dream of your some way becoming my wife."
"Why? Because you were not free; you were Léonce Pontellier's wife.”
"Oh! I was demented, dreaming of wild, impossible things, recalling men who had set their wives free, we have heard of such things."
"I realized what a cur I was to dream of such a thing, even if you had been willing."
The excerpt that best expresses the idea that women of Chopin’s era were not always free to make their own decisions is: "Why? Because you were not free; you were Léonce Pontellier's wife." This directly highlights the societal constraints placed on women in that era, emphasizing their lack of freedom and autonomy within the institution of marriage.
Which excerpt from chapter 38 of The Awakening best supports the idea that Edna has suffered as a result of her revelations?
“There are periods of despondency and suffering which take possession of me. But I don't want anything but my own way.”
"Yes, I will blame you if you don't come and see me soon. We will talk of things you never have dreamt of talking about before.”
“[O]h! well! perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life."
All the tearing emotion of the last few hours seemed to fall away from her like a somber, uncomfortable garment, which she had but to loosen to be rid of.
“There are periods of despondency and suffering which take possession of me. But I don't want anything but my own way.”
"Yes, I will blame you if you don't come and see me soon. We will talk of things you never have dreamt of talking about before.”
“[O]h! well! perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life."
All the tearing emotion of the last few hours seemed to fall away from her like a somber, uncomfortable garment, which she had but to loosen to be rid of.
The excerpt that best supports the idea that Edna has suffered as a result of her revelations is: “Oh! well! perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life." This statement reflects Edna's acknowledgment of her suffering and the pain that accompanies her newfound awareness, indicating that the revelations she has experienced come with significant emotional and psychological costs.
Read the excerpt from chapter 37 of The Awakening.
Edna began to feel uneasy. She was seized with a vague dread. Her own like experiences seemed far away, unreal, and only half remembered. She recalled faintly an ecstasy of pain, the heavy odor of chloroform, a stupor which had deadened sensation, and an awakening to find a little new life to which she had given being, added to the great unnumbered multitude of souls that come and go.
Which idea is related to the reader through Edna’s revelation about her childbirth experiences?
Edna had very difficult experiences during childbirth.
She is not particularly comfortable with the concept of birth.
Her experiences of motherhood are also fading from consciousness.
Motherhood and having children come naturally to Edna.
Edna began to feel uneasy. She was seized with a vague dread. Her own like experiences seemed far away, unreal, and only half remembered. She recalled faintly an ecstasy of pain, the heavy odor of chloroform, a stupor which had deadened sensation, and an awakening to find a little new life to which she had given being, added to the great unnumbered multitude of souls that come and go.
Which idea is related to the reader through Edna’s revelation about her childbirth experiences?
Edna had very difficult experiences during childbirth.
She is not particularly comfortable with the concept of birth.
Her experiences of motherhood are also fading from consciousness.
Motherhood and having children come naturally to Edna.
The idea related to the reader through Edna’s revelation about her childbirth experiences is: Her experiences of motherhood are also fading from consciousness. The excerpt reflects a sense of detachment and the idea that her past experiences, including childbirth, are becoming unreal and half-remembered, suggesting a fading connection to her role as a mother.
7 answers