Topics for Further Study
- Explore the history of the women's rights movement, starting with the inaugural political convention in 1848 at Seneca Falls, New York, and concluding with the present decade. Utilize a pictorial timeline to connect significant incidents with other historical events of the era.
- Investigate Creole culture. Describe how Creoles possess both Spanish and French ancestry and how this heritage influences their way of life. Illustrate the culture through the customs and traditions observed by Creole descendants, as well as their daily routines.
- Many critics regard The Awakening as an exploration of psychological realism. In an essay, consider these questions: How does Chopin employ psychological realism to make her characters convincing? Do the characters behave in ways that you find expected? Provide an explanation.
- Compare and contrast Carondelet Street in New Orleans with Wall Street in New York as they were in 1899. Does Carondelet Street still exist today?
- Examine Léonce Pontellier, Robert Lebrun, and Alcée Arobin—the primary male characters in The Awakening. How does each man reflect his culture and the period? What are the distinct characteristics of each man? Discuss how and why you might relate to each of them.
- The Grand Isle was demolished by a storm in 1893. Research the storm that caused its destruction. Create a series of news articles that might have been published at that time, including (a) predictions of the storm, (b) live coverage during the storm, and (c) reports on the aftermath.
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