The Awakening

What does the word “awakening” mean? What does it imply?

Have you ever experienced a moment of awakening? What prompted it and was it transformative?

In what ways is Edna asleep in this text? What wakes her up? Is it a joyful awakening?

Chopin incorporates symbolic description of nature throughout The Awakening. The ocean in particular carries symbolic meaning. How is the ocean and swimming described in this text? What does the ocean come to symbolize?

How are women of color represented in this text? Given the theme of the novel, is there an irony to how they are depicted?

What does Edna mean when she says she “would give up my money, I would give up my life for my children; but I wouldn’t give myself.”? What is the difference between giving your life and giving yourself? What do you think of this statement?

What role does friendship play in this text? Think of Edna’s two closest female friends, Mademoiselle Reisz and Madame Ratignolle. How are they different from one another? What is Edna’s relationship to each of them like?

Trace the relationship between Edna and Robert. What are the key events that happen?

Why does Edna kill herself at the end of the text?