Identity In Desiree's Baby By Kate Chopin
Desiree's baby, by Kate Chopin, tells a story of newlywed couple's relationship and the struggle they faced during an era where slaves were legal. While we do not know much about Desiree's heritage. What we do know is that she was adopted by a wealthy family. Not knowing Desiree's family background seems to be the root of the all the problems presented in this short story. So, the first conflict, we can identify, is Desiree's unknown identity. Because Desiree and Armand's baby has features of a mixed heritage this raises red flags among the community. "An air of mystery among the blacks; unexpected visits from far-off neighbors who could hardly account for their coming" (Chopin 2). This sentence could imply that there are rumors going around the community regarding the
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baby's mixed features or it could mean that Armand wanted others to see the baby and confirm his suspicions. Obviously, this creates a problem since Armand feels that by having a baby that has African-like features would destroy his reputation. He assumes that because his wife's heritage is unclear, she must be the one carrying African blood.
He immediately starts distancing himself from her and the baby. "When he spoke to her, it was with averted eyes, from which the old love-light seemed to have gone out. He avoided her presence and that of her child" (Chopin 2). He already has rejected both his child and wife due to the features and unknown family history. "It means that the child is not white; it means that you are not white" (Chopin 3). In my perspective, I feel that this is the turning point the story because this represents that Armand no longer accepts his wife for who she is. Which is hypocritical because before he married her, he stated he did not care about where she came from. In result, Desiree took her baby and never came back. The only resolution the reader can determine is that Desiree left and Armand resolved his "personal" dilemma. We also know that towards the end the main conflict is resolved, although it is not stated. "Armand will never know that his mother, who adores him belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery" (Chopin 4). The audience (or the reader) know that Armand was wrong in his
actions. Of course, the author left this as a cliffhanger since we do not know what happens next. The reason why she probably left this ending ambiguous is perhaps since during that time there was no real solution to racism.
baby's mixed features or it could mean that Armand wanted others to see the baby and confirm his suspicions. Obviously, this creates a problem since Armand feels that by having a baby that has African-like features would destroy his reputation. He assumes that because his wife's heritage is unclear, she must be the one carrying African blood.
He immediately starts distancing himself from her and the baby. "When he spoke to her, it was with averted eyes, from which the old love-light seemed to have gone out. He avoided her presence and that of her child" (Chopin 2). He already has rejected both his child and wife due to the features and unknown family history. "It means that the child is not white; it means that you are not white" (Chopin 3). In my perspective, I feel that this is the turning point the story because this represents that Armand no longer accepts his wife for who she is. Which is hypocritical because before he married her, he stated he did not care about where she came from. In result, Desiree took her baby and never came back. The only resolution the reader can determine is that Desiree left and Armand resolved his "personal" dilemma. We also know that towards the end the main conflict is resolved, although it is not stated. "Armand will never know that his mother, who adores him belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery" (Chopin 4). The audience (or the reader) know that Armand was wrong in his
actions. Of course, the author left this as a cliffhanger since we do not know what happens next. The reason why she probably left this ending ambiguous is perhaps since during that time there was no real solution to racism.