CliffsNotes on

The Awakening

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Book Summary

Kate Chopin Biography

Personal Background
Education, Marriage, and Children
Her Later Years
Literary Writing

About The Awakening

Introduction
Literary Limitations
The Influence of Science
The Influence of Naturalism and Romanticism

Summary, Analysis, and Original Text by Chapter

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapters 7–8
Chapters 9–11
Chapters 12–14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapters 27–28
Chapter 29
Chapters 30–31
Chapter 32
Chapters 33–35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39

Character List

Character Map

Character Analysis

Edna Pontellier
Léonce Pontellier
Robert Lebrun
Mademoiselle Reisz

Critical Essays

Art in Edna Pontellier's Life
Wing Imagery in The Awakening

Study and Homework Help

Glossary
Quiz
Essay Questions
Practice Projects

Cite this Literature Note

Should the government bail out the auto industry?

Yes, it's too important to our economy.
No, the government is already broke enough.
Only with strict regulations on how they can spend the money.

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Summary, Analysis, and Original Text by Chapter

Chapter 2

As Edna and Robert continue chatting on the porch of the Pontelliers' cottage, they reveal more of their backgrounds and personalities. Robert has long had youthful intentions of going to Mexico to seek his fortune but has yet to follow through and so remains at his modest job in his native New Orleans. Edna speaks of her family and their homes in Mississippi and Kentucky. Then, while Edna gets ready for dinner, Robert plays with her two young boys.

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