Question

Read the excerpt from chapter 32 of The Awakening.

When Mr. Pontellier learned of his wife's intention to abandon her home and take up her residence elsewhere, he immediately wrote her a letter of unqualified disapproval and remonstrance. She had given reasons which he was unwilling to acknowledge as adequate. He hoped she had not acted upon her rash impulse; and he begged her to consider first, foremost, and above all else, what people would say.
What does Mr. Pontellier’s letter reveal about his personality?

A. He is jealous that his wife may be thinking of leaving him for a much younger man.
B. He hates to be away from his family for such a long period of time and aches to return home.
C. He is very concerned about maintaining an appearance of financial good standing within his community.
D. He feels his wife has a good grasp of the situation at home and relies on her to take care of everything.

Answer 1

C. '...first, foremost, and above all else, what people would say.' He obviously values social standing and what people think of him over his family.

Answer 2

C. He is very concerned about maintaining an appearance of financial good standing within his community.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mr . Pontellier is interested in appearances. His wife, Edna, wants a different life from the one she is having with her husband. However, Mr. Pontellier is more concerned about other people's opinions than about his wife 's feelings. In fact, he is a business man and wants to keep to a good imagine of his financial status. This is evident when Edna is away from home because she is looking for new adventures. However, Mr. Pontellier does not care about his wife's true reasons; he just wants people to think that she has not gone away because of financial problems.