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Read the following passage from Kate Chopin’s 1899 novel *The Awakening* carefully before choosing the best answer.

[1] “Edna, dear, are you not coming in?” Léonce asked, after a
[2] longer interval of silence.
[3] “Not yet,” she answered.
[4] “Do you know it is past one o’clock? Come on, dear. It is
[5] late; and feel the humidor—the dampness in the air.”
[6] “It is delightful; it is not damp.”
[7] “Edna, go in the house. It is folly in you to sit out here,
[8] exposing yourself in that way.”
[9] “Léonce, go to bed,” she said. “I mean to stay out here. I
[10] don’t wish to go in, and I don’t intend to. Don’t speak to me
[11] like that again; I shall not answer you.”
[12] Léonce went into the house, and Edna was left alone. She
[13] lay swinging in the hammock. The wine she had drunk
[14] increased her desire for rest, but she felt a feverish stir of
[15] life within her that would not be quieted. She could hear the
[16] crash of the water on the beach, and the sea breeze was
[17] cooling and refreshing.
[18] After a few moments Léonce returned to the veranda. He
[19] did not go to bed, nor did he speak to Edna. He had a glass
[20] of wine in his hand, which he sipped slowly. He lit a cigar
[21] and sat down in a wicker rocker, placing his feet upon the
[22] railing. He looked out into the darkness, humming a low
[23] tune.
[24] “Do you want some wine, Edna?” he asked, after a time.
[25] “No,” she replied.
[26] He did not ask her again, but remained smoking and
[27] drinking his wine. Edna did not move. A feeling of intense
[28] rebellion rose within her, but she felt too weary to express
[29] it. They sat there in the darkness, side by side yet utterly
[30] remote from one another, until the cigar was burned to an
[31] ash and the glass was empty. Only then, when Léonce stood
[32] up and went inside, did Edna follow him, her resistance
[33] spent.

Which of the following dynamics of the marital conflict do Léonce’s actions upon returning to the veranda (lines 18–33) primarily reveal?

  1. A silent power struggle in which Léonce reestablishes his dominance by matching Edna’s defiance with his own persistent presenceAnswer
  2. B
    An overt, hostile clash in which Léonce seeks to actively punish Edna for disregarding his commands
  3. C
    A routine domestic sequence in which both characters gradually wind down their day to prepare for sleep
  4. D
    A genuine marital reconciliation in which Léonce attempts to mend the relationship by offering Edna wine
  5. E
    A passive background contrast in which Léonce’s relaxed behavior serves only to highlight Edna’s physical fatigue

Answer

The correct answer is a silent power struggle in which Léonce reestablishes his dominance by matching Edna’s defiance with his own persistent presence.
The correct answer describes Léonce’s actions as a silent power struggle. By sitting on the veranda, drinking, and smoking instead of forcing the issue or leaving Edna alone, Léonce uses his physical presence to neutralize Edna's defiance. This passive-aggressive stance wears down Edna's energy until she ultimately yields and follows him inside, representing a subtle reassertion of his marital dominance.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the opening dialogue (lines 1–11) to establish the initial nature of the conflict.
Edna explicitly refuses Léonce's direct commands, creating an open clash of wills that threatens his expected marital authority.
This establishes the starting point of the conflict as a challenge to Léonce's domestic power.
2
Examine Léonce's physical actions and attitude upon returning to the veranda (lines 18–23).
Léonce does not renew his verbal demands but sits nearby, drinks wine, smokes, and hums, refusing to leave the space or allow Edna her solitude.
This shows how the conflict shifts from overt verbal demands to a subtextual, passive-aggressive standoff.
3
Evaluate the resolution of the scene (lines 26–33) to determine the outcome of this interaction.
Edna's resistance is worn down by their silent, shared vigil, and she eventually follows him inside once he retreats, showing that Léonce has successfully asserted control without further direct confrontation.
This reveals the underlying power dynamic of the relationship, where Léonce's quiet persistence overcomes Edna's developing sense of independence.

Key Concept

Subtextual Conflict and Power Dynamics in Character Relationships
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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