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Isabel MorganThe Awakening
Chapter 6
What happens in this chapter?
What is its significance? What does it add to the narrative?
Edna realises her connection to the sea, this could be the start of her ‘awakening’ as the previous
chapters suggest she is not happy with how her relationship is with her husband. This is significant in
the way that it creates mystery behind how Edna is feeling, adding to the turn of the day by day
narrative.
Chapter 7
What do you learn about Madame Ratignolle?
In what ways is she different to Mrs Pontellier?
What do we learn about Edna’s background and what does this add to our understanding of her
character?
What is significant about Edna’s past ‘loves’ and her choice of Leonce for marriage?
What sort of mother is Edna?
What do you notice about the narrative perspective in this chapter?
Madame Ratignolle doesn’t come across as much of a thinker, she’s more of a listener and very
caring towards Edna. Madame Ratignolle and Mrs Pontellier are very different as Madame Ratignolle
is very devoted to her children compared to how Mrs Pontellier is, as well as devoted to her
husband, as Mrs Pontellier admits that she’s used to going after ‘beauty’ and ‘unattainable men’. We
learn that Edna is a very free character as she speaks about her idle wandering as a child, and her
longing for that previous freedom. Edna isn’t a caring mother and is relieved for the pleasant loss of
responsibility when her children aren’t home. The narrative perspective in this chapter is indirect as
it is written in third person in the privileged view of Edna, however it is also written as a stream of
consciousness as it goes through Edna’s thoughts.
Chapter 8
What do Robert and Madame Ratignolle argue about?
What more do you learn about the character of Robert and his position at Grand Isle?
Robert and Madame Ratignolle argue about Mrs Pontellier as Madame Ratignolle tells Robert to
leave her be in worry that she’ll take him seriously. Robert is very playful and not taken seriously by
anyone as he is there as a form of help for the married women and their children.
Chapter 9
What do you learn about Grand Isle society from the description of the party?
What impression is given of Mme. Reisz?
Why do you think she favours Edna?
What does Edna’s reaction to the music suggest about her character?
The Grand Isle are very accepting as they use this party as a way of letting the children present their
talents as well as socially gathering and dancing after the children have gone to bed. Mme. Reisz
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