Characterization In Desiree's Baby

Characterization in “Desiree’s Baby” How do you describe a person in writing? It’s simple, you characterize them. Through various uses of tools of characterization, an author slowly reveals the personalities of specific characters. In a well written piece of literature, characterization is essential to the construction of the plot. All good authors care about characterization, “many literary fiction writers, in fact, consider characterization to be the most important element of their art” (Arp 161). From Shakespeare to Stephen King, humans have been characterized in literature for centuries. Characterization stands out to us in literature, but it’s often difficult to analyze, “for human character is infinitely complex” (Arp 161). We know Harry

Strategically placing round and flat characters throughout the story, her characters help to further emphasize the theme and plot in “Desiree’s Baby.” Characterization is most evident in the characters of Desiree (protagonist) and Armand Aubigny (Antagonist.) Desiree is first described in paragraph one, “it made [Madame Valmonde] laugh to think of Desiree as a baby” (Chopin 1). Obviously, since Desiree is the character having a baby, as described in the title, Desiree must undergo certain changes to get to the character she is now. Desiree is both directly and indirectly characterized; revealed by other characters and by the description of her home. Desiree is directly revealed by the narrator is such sentences: “For the girl grew to be beautiful and gentle, affectionate and sincere” (Chopin 1). Later, after the outside force of her husband’s (Armand Aubigny) unaffectionate treatment of her, she is indirectly characterized, “It was a sad looking place” (Chopin 1). Desiree’s house is used as a tool to characterize Desiree’s transformation to a beautiful and content woman, to a depressed mistress of a cruel man. Desiree is obviously a round character, since she undergoes a transformation to almost an opposite person, she is also a developing character. Her characteristics can be described differently before and after various turning points in the short story. Since Desiree is the centerpiece of Chopin’s literary work, it is obvious that she must develop in some way to make the story what it