1. In what ways does the author describe Mamzelle Aurélie at the onset of the story?
The descriptions provided, indicating her personality, include: her wearing men’s clothes when tending to the farm, ruddy cheeks, and hair in which greys have just started appearing. Through these details, it is safe to assume that she is not a fragile woman but an independent and determined one.
2. What is the setting? What clues help you determine the location of the story?
The setting is, presumably, in the countryside at Mamzelle’s farm. This conclusion could be made through the hints provided in the list of things that surrounded Mamzelle and kept her from being lonely despite not having a husband.
3. What is meant by a “pleasant odor of pinks in the air”?
Flowers are in the air an her femininity is starting to come in because the kids are there.
4. What does Mamzelle Aurélie inherit from her neighbor, Odile?
As the young Odile is experiencing family troubles and overall stress, she gives Mamzelle her four children to take care of indefinitely.
5. An epiphany is a noticeable change in a character over the course of a story. This change could be mentally, physically, or emotionally. What change, if any, does Mamzelle Aurélie undergo?
Initially, Mamzelle sees the children’s occupancy of her home as somewhat of a burden and only gives them their necessities with her tough demeanor. As the children continue staying, however, she becomes more gentle and tender towards the children and begins to cater to their needs with happiness.
6. The story contains the following lines:
She turned into the house. There was much work awaiting her, for the children had left a sad disorder behind them; but she did not at once set about the task of righting it.
Why doesn’t Mamzelle Aurélie set about the task?
Having the children leave with as much warning as they came, none, had shocked Mamzelle. She had become incredibly attached to the children and did not feel motivation to clean up their mess, and therefore acknowledge that they were gone. She wants to keep it as if they are still there.
7. Who is Ponto?
Ponto is Mamzelle’s dog and possibly what she has been using to fill the void of children throughout the years.
8. Why does Kate Chopin use the description “She cried like a man” to describe Mamzelle Aurélie actions?
She's reverting back to being masculine.
It was not necessarily bad that she did not want to when she was able to, she did not feel she needed that in order to be complete. With her strong personality, she intimidated but set to work on what she wanted to do. Being as she did not have the experience of taking care of children before, she may regret not having them when she could but not the regret of remaining unwed.
10. What do you think the title of the story signifies?
It is not until we experience something completely and suddenly that we realize that it is what was wanted all along.
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