Question

Read the excerpt from The Awakening, and look at the plot diagram.

Since the age of fifteen, which was eleven years before, Robert each summer at Grand Isle had constituted himself the devoted attendant of some fair dame or damsel. Sometimes it was a young girl, again a widow, but as often as not it was some interesting married woman.

Where does this excerpt best fit on the novel’s plot diagram?
a. falling action
b. resolution
c. exposition
d. rising action

Answer 1

The excerpt from The Awakening is best fitted for the exposition section of a plot diagram as it provides background details on a character that set the stage for the rest of the novel. Option C is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpt from Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening provides background information on a character's habits and behaviors. In the context of a plot diagram, which outlines the structure of a story's narrative, this type of information is typically found at the very beginning where the setting, characters, and hints toward the conflict are introduced. This part of the story is known as the exposition.

Therefore, the correct placement for this excerpt on the novel's plot diagram would be the exposition. Expositions are crucial for setting the stage for the upcoming narrative, introducing the audience to the critical elements that they need to follow the story effectively. It is the point where the baseline of normalcy is established before the protagonist encounters the central conflict of the narrative.

In the case of The Awakening, the exposition is essential to comprehend the societal expectations and norms Robert and other characters operate within. This context is crucial for appreciating the protagonist's struggle against these confines and her journey towards self-discovery and fulfillment. Hence, the answer to where this excerpt best fits on the novel's plot diagram is (c) exposition.