Chapters 1-5
How is Edna similar to the bird?
Both Edna and the bird are caged and the bird is speaking a different language and is misunderstood by everyone.
What role does Edna's childhood have on her desire to express herself?
When Edna was a child, she never got the opportunity to express herself and was always introverted so she wanted to change that.
What does Edna see when Mademoiselle Reisz is playing the piano?
She feels that she will be abandoned by all of her friends when she finally awakens and breaks away from her husband.
How does Chopin represent the difference between how Edna used to talk to her husband and how she talks to him now?
Chopin has Edna stand up to her husband for the first time.
Upon her return to Grand Isle, how is Edna made aware right away of being a mother woman?
Her youngest child is placed into her hands because he was misbehaving.
The mockingbird is the "free bird" and also the only bird that could understand the cage bird (Edna).
Why did Edna marry her husband?
Edna married Mr. Pontillier because she realized that any other man in her life didn't really love her and she realized that Mr. Pontillier really did love her.
What is significant about the piano pieces that are being played?
One piece of music that was symbolic to this story was when Edna said it reminded her of her children at play, but there was still nothing on earth except a lady petting a cat. Another piece that was symbolic to this story was when Edna was waiting for a piece of music to give her images but instead she was ‘ready’ to hear it and felt the music all over her body. This is significant because it is the first time in the story Edna has showed so much emotion in front of people. It was also symbolic because Mademoiselle Reisz said Edna was the only person worth playing for.
What was ironic about Edna asking Robert to Mass?
At this time period, not many women asked men to join them in things and it was considered taboo.
What is the significance of the song that Robert sang to Edna?
The significance of the song that Robert was singing and that Edna repeats is talking about how her husband could know how she feels and what she wants to do with her life.
How is Robert Lebrun seen?
Robert Lebrun is seen as a man without drive or determination because he smokes cigarettes because he cannot afford cigars. Robert is also shallow and talks about himself a lot which is looked down upon. Robert always plans on taking a trip to Mexico but never does.
What is the significance of Edna and Adele dressing differently on the beach?
The significance of Edna and Adele dressing differently on the beach is that Adele wore more conservative clothing that covered more and Edna wore clothing that was more revealing. This shows that Edna is more scandalous than the average Creole woman.
What does Madame Lebrun mean when she says Edna is capricious?
Madame Lebrun means that Edna is bipolar.
What is the significance of Robert and Edna talking about finding gold together?
Edna and Robert are really talking about their future.
Why is Edna telling her children a bedtime story without an ending significant?
Because her ending with Robert didn't have an ending either.
What is a Creole man supposed to think about his wife?
A Creole man is never a jealous husband because a woman will never disagree with her husband and will never divorce him and always stay with him.
Who is the woman in black?
The woman in black is a widow that watches couples before they are married because her husband died and she will not be free of him until she dies.
What is representative about Edna being afraid to swim back to shore?
Edna has a childlike fear of swimming back to shore and it is representative that she feels she needs her husband to help her do everything and she cannot be independent.
How has Roberts interest in Edna changed?
Now, Robert has stopped being selfish and wants to do things that Edna likes with her and wants to spend more time with her.
How is Edna getting undressed when she got to her room significant?
She doesn't care what she looks like for her husband anymore.
What is different from Mademoiselle Reisz and Edna's parenting styles?
Edna's children are independent and don't rely on their mother for everything whereas Mademoiselle Reisz's children worship her and are not independent at all.
What is the significance of Victor riding the rockaway?
The significance of Victor riding the rockaway is that men blow off whatever women say and ignore them.
What is being represented by Edna's desire to swim out further than any woman had swum before?
Her awakening.
Who is Marquita?
Marquita serves as someone who makes sarcastic commentary on Robert and Edna’s affair, but at the same time, she is used to seeing people having affairs and isn’t surprised by it.
How is the way Edna and Robert address each other in their farewells contracting?
The ways Robert and Edna address each other when talking during their farewell contrasts because Edna wants Robert to stay and Robert insists on going from Grand Isle to Mexico and leaving Edna.