Colorblind
Waites 1
Bruce Waites
Dr. Sharon Colley
English 4600
23 June 2014 Color Blind
A culture that enslaves the lesser human with acts unspeakable in nature creates an ideaology that a subculture is less than human, while perpetuating that a higher class is more justified in their actions through racism, slavery, and rape. The culture that perpetuates such hate is one that is superior to all others. In "Desiree's Baby," Kate Chopin scrutinized Southern Racism and the repugnance of miscegenation through the eyes of Desiree. Desiree was a young bride that was adopted with no connection to the past that marries a successful Louisianan plantation owner. Desiree and Armand have a baby, but something isn't quite right with him because at about three months of age the truth comes out, the baby has African origins causing the marriage to dissolve. Armand's accusation leads to heartache and tragedy because he valued his family name more than his family. Having a mulatto in those times was not unheard of, but not in "his" family. The cultural system is flawed because it leads to pride being challenged and personal humiliation of social system based on white supremacy and the oppression of women and people of color.
Waites 2
Armand's misogynistic pride was destructive to the faithful relationship that Desiree and he shared in the beginning. It seems that Armand wasn't really in love with Desiree, at least not truly. "Armand Aubigny riding by seeing her there had fallen in love with her. That was the way all the Aubignys fell in love, as if struck by a pistol shot" (301). Armand has known Désirée for years and never felt any feelings for her, so it seems to reason that it was apparent that he was driven by his unconscious passion, or as Sigmund Freud says his lust for her and not as a deep seated emotional love. His prideful name leads us to believe his love is only superficial
Bruce Waites
Dr. Sharon Colley
English 4600
23 June 2014 Color Blind
A culture that enslaves the lesser human with acts unspeakable in nature creates an ideaology that a subculture is less than human, while perpetuating that a higher class is more justified in their actions through racism, slavery, and rape. The culture that perpetuates such hate is one that is superior to all others. In "Desiree's Baby," Kate Chopin scrutinized Southern Racism and the repugnance of miscegenation through the eyes of Desiree. Desiree was a young bride that was adopted with no connection to the past that marries a successful Louisianan plantation owner. Desiree and Armand have a baby, but something isn't quite right with him because at about three months of age the truth comes out, the baby has African origins causing the marriage to dissolve. Armand's accusation leads to heartache and tragedy because he valued his family name more than his family. Having a mulatto in those times was not unheard of, but not in "his" family. The cultural system is flawed because it leads to pride being challenged and personal humiliation of social system based on white supremacy and the oppression of women and people of color.
Waites 2
Armand's misogynistic pride was destructive to the faithful relationship that Desiree and he shared in the beginning. It seems that Armand wasn't really in love with Desiree, at least not truly. "Armand Aubigny riding by seeing her there had fallen in love with her. That was the way all the Aubignys fell in love, as if struck by a pistol shot" (301). Armand has known Désirée for years and never felt any feelings for her, so it seems to reason that it was apparent that he was driven by his unconscious passion, or as Sigmund Freud says his lust for her and not as a deep seated emotional love. His prideful name leads us to believe his love is only superficial