1. The Awakening – Kate Chopin
a. Plot: Edna Pontellier along with her husband, Leonce, and children visit Grande Isle, a vacation spot for well-to-do Creoles. Edna, a white woman, is surprised by the openness of feelings and sharing at this Creole vacation spot. Here, she meets Robert Lebrun. Robert and Edna develop a budding sexual, romantic relationship during the time on the island. Edna enjoys the freedom and control of the relationship in contrast to her relationship with her husband. Leonce views Edna as the mother of his child and more of an object of his than a partner. Edna and Robert develop a stronger relationship, and he teaches her to swim. After leaving the island and returning to New Orleans, Edna has trouble accepting her place as mother and keeper of the house. She decides to move out to assert her …show more content…
Justice in a Racial Society: The jury for Tom takes hours instead of minutes in the Black on White crime. However, Tom is still convicted when the evidence says otherwise. The novel comments on the failures of our justice system. It is marred by its human element.
e. Motifs:
i. A Small Town: Throughout the novel, Maycomb the small, southern any town is referenced. The town allows news to spread quickly and everyone to know everyone else. This small town vibe helps to illustrate the working of a racial South.
f. Symbols:
i. Boo Radley: Boo Radley helps to define growth of character. He illustrates that all is not what he seems. Though he starts as a mysterious and possibly evil man, it is revealed that he is good and caring. Boo Radley helps show the character growth of Scout and Jem. ii. Mockingbird: The mockingbird is the symbol of innocence. The mockingbird in this story can be seen as many characters. For instance, Scout loses her naiveté about the world. She learns that what is fair is not always done. Tom Robinson, too, is a mockingbird. He is explicitly referred to one by Atticus after he is shot. The innocent man killed by racial
a. Plot: Edna Pontellier along with her husband, Leonce, and children visit Grande Isle, a vacation spot for well-to-do Creoles. Edna, a white woman, is surprised by the openness of feelings and sharing at this Creole vacation spot. Here, she meets Robert Lebrun. Robert and Edna develop a budding sexual, romantic relationship during the time on the island. Edna enjoys the freedom and control of the relationship in contrast to her relationship with her husband. Leonce views Edna as the mother of his child and more of an object of his than a partner. Edna and Robert develop a stronger relationship, and he teaches her to swim. After leaving the island and returning to New Orleans, Edna has trouble accepting her place as mother and keeper of the house. She decides to move out to assert her …show more content…
Justice in a Racial Society: The jury for Tom takes hours instead of minutes in the Black on White crime. However, Tom is still convicted when the evidence says otherwise. The novel comments on the failures of our justice system. It is marred by its human element.
e. Motifs:
i. A Small Town: Throughout the novel, Maycomb the small, southern any town is referenced. The town allows news to spread quickly and everyone to know everyone else. This small town vibe helps to illustrate the working of a racial South.
f. Symbols:
i. Boo Radley: Boo Radley helps to define growth of character. He illustrates that all is not what he seems. Though he starts as a mysterious and possibly evil man, it is revealed that he is good and caring. Boo Radley helps show the character growth of Scout and Jem. ii. Mockingbird: The mockingbird is the symbol of innocence. The mockingbird in this story can be seen as many characters. For instance, Scout loses her naiveté about the world. She learns that what is fair is not always done. Tom Robinson, too, is a mockingbird. He is explicitly referred to one by Atticus after he is shot. The innocent man killed by racial