The Awakening and Selected Stories of Kate ChopinEnriched Classics offer readers accessible editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and commentary. Each book includes educational tools alongside the text, enabling students and readers alike to gain a deeper and more developed understanding of the writer and their work. When The Awakening was first published in 1899, critical outcry proved so vociferous that the novel was banned for decades. Now praised as a classic of early feminist literature, Kate Chopin’s final work rejects conventional female roles and celebrates a woman’s journey towards self-awareness. As the heroine, Edna Pontellier, awakens to her own desires, she begins to question her ideas about marriage, motherhood, society, art, and the nature of love itself. A milestone in American fiction, The Awakening is an unforgettably poignant novel of self-discovery that has inspired generations of readers. Enriched Classics enhance your engagement by introducing and explaining the historical and cultural significance of the work, the author’s personal history, and what impact this book had on subsequent scholarship. Each book includes discussion questions that help clarify and reinforce major themes and reading recommendations for further research. Read with confidence. |
Contents
NOTES | 1 |
BEYOND THE BAYOU | 179 |
MAAME PÉLAGIE | 188 |
DÉSIRÉES BABY | 200 |
A RESPECTABLE WOMAN | 208 |
THE KISS | 214 |
THE LOCKET | 225 |
A REFLECTION | 233 |
A SEQUEL TO AT | 249 |
INTERPRETIVE NOTES | 272 |
CRITICAL EXCERPTS | 281 |
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION | 293 |
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Common terms and phrases
Adèle afternoon Alcée Arobin Armand arms asked Edna Awakening bayou began Bobinôt Cadian Calixta Chênière Chéri Chopin Clarisse clatter coffee Creole Désirée dinner Doctor door dream Edna's exclaimed eyes face father feel felt Folle girl gone good-by Gouvernail Grand Isle grew hair hand head heard Highcamp husband Iberville Kate Chopin kissed knew La Folle lady laughed Léonce letter light looked Louisiana Ma'ame Pélagie Madame Lebrun Madame Ratignolle Mademoiselle Reisz Mam'selle Mariequita Mexico Monsieur Farival Monsieur Ratignolle morning mother never night Orleans Pauline peignoir piano pirogue play Pontellier Pontellier's quadroon Ratignolle's Robert seated seemed shoulders si tu savais sleep soft soul stay stood Street summer talk tell things thought tion tisane told took turned Valmondé Victor voice walked wife window woman women young