Question

1Read the excerpt from The Awakening before you choose your answer.

"When Mr. Pontellier learned of his wife's intention to abandon her home and take up her residence elsewhere, he immediately wrote her a letter of unqualified disapproval and remonstrance... It might get noised about that the Pontelliers had met with reverses, and were forced to conduct their menage on a humbler scale than heretofore." (Chapter XXXII)

In this excerpt, the author characterizes Mr. Pontellier primarily as

concerned and empathetic
diffident but covetous
materialistic and self-absorbed
practical and unassuming
unpretentious and kindly
2Read the excerpt from The Awakening before you choose your answer.

"But to her unaccustomed vision the stretch of water behind her assumed the aspect of a barrier and for a second of time appalled and enfeebled her senses. But by an effort she rallied her staggering faculties and managed to regain the land." (Chapter X)

Which of the following statements best describes the narrator's main purpose in this excerpt?

To foreshadow the closing chapter of the novel
To illuminate Edna's emotional insecurity
To suggest that Edna will maintain her artistic ambitions
To symbolize Edna's struggle to maintain independence
To underscore the impending conflict between husband and wife
3Read the excerpt from The Awakening before you choose your answer.

The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation. (Chapter VI)

Considering The Awakening as a whole, this sentence is an example of

allusion and symbol
foreshadowing and metaphor
imagery and metaphor
simile and allusion
symbol and foreshadowing

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

In this excerpt, the author characterizes Mr. Pontellier primarily as materialistic and self-absorbed. The passage describes how Mr. Pontellier reacts to his wife's intention to leave their home, focusing on his concern about the potential negative impact on their social status. His immediate response is to write a letter of disapproval, primarily motivated by the fear that their financial situation might be perceived as diminished. This demonstrates his preoccupation with appearances and material wealth, highlighting his materialistic and self-absorbed nature.

The narrator's main purpose in the excerpt is to symbolize Edna's struggle to maintain independence. The mention of the stretch of water behind Edna acting as a barrier suggests a metaphorical obstacle to her freedom and independence. It conveys her momentary hesitation and fear, but also her determination to gather her strength and overcome it. This excerpt foreshadows the internal conflict Edna faces as she strives to break free from societal expectations and pursue her own desires and individuality.

The sentence, "The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude; to lose itself in mazes of inward contemplation," is an example of imagery and metaphor. The passage uses vivid and sensory language to depict the allure and enchantment of the sea. It describes the sea's continuous and enticing voice, evoking a sense of its captivating power and its ability to draw individuals into introspection and solitude. The imagery and metaphorical language create a rich and evocative atmosphere, which is a characteristic feature of Kate Chopin's writing style in The Awakening.