Kate Chopin - the Awakening

The Awakening

Kate Chopin College English

Romantic Novel Period 1

General Information:

Kate Chopin was born in St. Louis. When she got married she moved her family to Louisiana. She had six children to whom she was a very devoted mother. When her husband passed away in 1883, she moved her family back to St. Louis. This is when she began writing and soon became an important figure in the cities writing scene.

Plot Summary:

This book opens with a Creole family vacationing at Grand Isle. The Pontellier family consists of Leonce, a hard working man who loves his family and expects a lot out of his wife. His wife, Edna, has always been by his side. During the summer at their vacation Edna begins to hang out with Adele, who's a perfect Creole women. This drives Edna to want to be a free woman . She doesn't want to be under any ones control. Throughout the year she starts to become more and more distanced from her husband and children. She learns fast that being independent is also very lonely.

Describe Author's Style:

The author of this book uses a lot of motifs and symbols. An example would be the use of the birds. On the first page of the book it describes a parrot caged in. Also she uses the names of the characters like "Arobin". She also is a very blunt writer. Her writing is about something that wasn't excepted at all in these times.

Memorable Quotes:

" I see Leonce isn't coming back, she said, with a glance in the direction whence her husband had disappeared" (pg. 5).

- This quote is important because it shoes the life that Edna had become used to. She didn't expect to spend the quality time with him.

" You have been a very, very foolish boy, wasting your time dreaming of impossible things when you speak of Mr. Pontellier setting me free! I am no longer one of Mr. Pontelliers possessions to dispose of or not" (pg. 117).

- This quote shoes how Robert will never be able to have the life he wants with Edna. She will never be owned by a man again.

" Goody-by ---because, I love you" (pg. 125).

- This quote was right before Edna ended her life. It is showing that the last thing she is thinking about is Robert and how she loved him.

Character Names:

Edna: she is the protagonist of the story. She becomes unhappy with the way her life is and wants to be more independent. She becomes very up and down with her emotions.

Mademoiselle Reisz: She is a very influential person in Edna's life. She is unmarried and children less. She has a huge impact in Edna's awakening.

Robert: