During the 1890's America was characterized by strict social codes, both spoken and unspoken. Nineteenth century American women were expected to find their strength and meaning of self in their submissive state and in their dedication to home and family. The Awakening is a novel about the growth...

• Word Count: 1248
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

There are two dead birds, facing in opposite directions, like mirror images of each other; there are two pairs of vessels on the floor; and there are two living presences, the woman gazing down at her work and the tense, watchful cat. ...

• Word Count: 1285
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Wilde also creates comedy here by using stage directions rather than just dialogue, which would increase the humour in the scene as it adds to the slyness of the women's actions without them having to actually say anything. ...

• Word Count: 2043
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate