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Desiree Baby Identity

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In the short story by Kate Chopin "Desiree Baby" discusses the issue of race and identity concerns that arise. It is explored throughout the short story about a young woman and her tragic lifestyle, Desiree. The story does suggest that racism is a destructive force that can tear people apart, that is also often based on stereotypes and false assumptions The short story dates back to the 19th century and in the South where the issues of race and identity were well aware by the community. The short story, "Desiree Baby" is a haunting and provoking tale. Kate Chopin proclaims the catastrophes of prejudice and confrontation of one’s identity. Kate Chopin also exposes racism and its ability to corrupt good morals, someone and emphasizes the importance …show more content…

For Armand to forget the existence of his child and wife, he ask his servants to burn the belongings that once belong to Desiree and the baby. The servants burnt belongings such as Desiree's silk dress, the baby's bassinet, and other items. This symbolic is an act of destruction and highlights Armand's desire. This act also proves the destruction of Desiree and the baby's identity. There also were bundles of letter that Armand thought was from Desiree. These "innocent little scribblings that Desiree has sent to him during the days of their espousal" (Chopin 6). There was one more letter in the back drawer. It was from Armand's mother, that she wrote to Armand's father before she left them behind. It's a pivotal moment for Armand that leaves him in utter shock. Armand had African ancestry, and which he was completely unaware about Not only does the letter expose the truth, but the letter was also about his mother's love to his father. In the letter his mother wrote, "I thank God for having so arranged in our lives that our dear Armand will never know that his mother, who adores him, belongs to the race that is cursed by the brand of slavery" (Chopin 6). His mother is a woman of color, and again living in the south as a black man or women you face racial issues daily. His mother was facing the same racial and identity issues and not getting treated properly. The discovery of …show more content…

He finally came to learning the truth about his own heritage, race, and origin. Not only the discovery of the letter impact Armand himself but his actions have changed. Also, it impacts racism and prejudice on individuals but also targets believing false beliefs. Anger and shame did take a toll on Armand. Not only that the anger built up was from the truth about himself, but the shame Desiree brought into the family. She was demanded to leave the home as soon as possible by the way Armand acted with her. She kept asking him " 'Do you want me to go?' 'Yes, I want you to go'

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There could have been multiple possibilities of why the baby was not “White,” but due to Armand’s first intuition that Désirée was not white, he is showing that he has authority of the situation and that what he says goes. Because the husband and wife in both stories allow this particular type of destructive relationship, where the wife is submissive and the husband treats his wife like his own property, both stories progressively deteriorate by the

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Our heritage is recognized as one of the most defining aspects of our identity, we can either embrace it or despise it, however, our racial ancestry is recognized as being more complicated and talked about in terms of conflict. The text Desiree’s Baby by Kate Chopin shares a common theme with Everyday Use by Alice Walker on the issue of racial heritage and the stigma surrounding it. In Desiree’s Baby by Kate Chopin, the theme of racial heritage is mainly expressed through Desiree’s Husband Armand, who faces his internal conflict with his possible mixed-race background that comes into conflict with his occupation as a slave owner and his marriage with Desiree. When Armand’s suspicions of his racial background are revealed by his external conflict,

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Armand’s father had brought him home from paris, when he was eight, after his mother died. He came from a wealthy family. According to the Armand’s father thought of Desiree didn’t seem like he was happy because the way he grew up, he wanted someone from the same wealth as them. After they had gotten married and they were expecting a baby, the day had come of the birth of the child Mrs. Valmonde was surprised about the baby when she saw it because perhaps the kid didn’t look like one of the parent’s. “ Marriage, and later the birth of his so had softened Armand Aubigny’s imperious and exacting nature greatly.”

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The illustration of the mysterious haze bestowed around the house gives an inkling to the idea that something is impure, mostly surrounding Armand and the Aubigny family since it is their land. This is associated with both the idea that the baby is not white, and that his “imperfection” comes from Armands bloodline. Before Desiree’s recognition of her child's skin color, the reaction of Madame Valmonde toward the baby further develops the idea that Desiree has overlooked the reality of her baby’s ancestry. She was notably startled when she first saw the baby, then proceeded to hold it to the sun in order to better examine it. When she did this, she gazed back at the housemaid, who was black.

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Desiree says good-bye to Armand and goes to the deserted field with her child and never came back. Armand was burning all of Desiree’s and the child’s materials into the bonfire. Then he found some letters from Desiree, but one was from his mother to his father, the letter said that she was grateful that Armand would never find out his mother was of slave heritage (Chopin). In “Desiree’s Baby, “ Kate Chopin uses imagery, foreshadowing and allusion to develop the ominos, mystery and sad story.

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A common theme that has lived most distinctly in the South for decades, exists still today. Most of the culture, especially during the Antebellum Era, believed that no Caucasian should even be associated with individuals of color, for they were of substance, simply as property. The author of “Desiree’s Baby,” Kate Chopin, existed in this era, one in which racism and slavery were ever-prevalent, leading to her focus upon the issue of race throughout her works, particularly “Desiree’s Baby.” Her writing is solely based upon her experiences, which has influenced individuals for centuries. Chopin 's characterization of Armand, a character portraying one of high power in society, serves to illustrate the thoughts and ideals of individuals, particularly in the South, during the 19th century; furthermore, her

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With the denial of his past and of his race, comes hatred and racism into Armand’s heart and actions. This goes hand and hand with the denial aspect with the usage of characterization from Chopin’s part. Racism ran high in most people’s characteristics of this time because Chopin put this story’s in pre-Civil War times. With the treatment of his slaves, you can really see how Armand feels about others from the race that he sees as less than, even though he is really one of them. The substandard treatment of Armand’s slaves only stops once Desiree gives birth to the baby, but when there was a chance of Desiree being of an African descent, Armand sent her and their child away without thought, saying “Yes, I want to go” with no emotion showing in his voice or actions (3).

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“Desiree’s Baby was written by Kate Chopin and she talks about the issues people had back then with racism and gender. She demonstrated those problems by using literary devices such as symbols, conflict, and irony. I advise everyone to read this story for the fact this kind of conflict is still happening today and we need to work together for a change. Overall this was a great story and it teaches you many great lessons. Take a look

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During the era in which this short story was written, southern authors had a major influence on the way the culture was going to grow with racism, and also the way people loved each other. Kate Chopin, a traditional author who believed in southern ways, exemplifies how race and the characteristics of conditional love played a role in her story. In “Desiree’s Baby,” the author, Kate Chopin, provides an illustration of conditional love exemplified by the character, Armand, towards his wife and child; furthermore, Chopin provides instances of irony, elements of surprise, foreshadowing, and symbolism to prove that Armand’s love for both of them was not the unconditional love typically felt and portrayed by women, such as Desiree, during this era. Throughout the story, the readers notice different times where Chopin uses elements of surprise. One major surprise is when Armand opens the letter from his mother and finds out that he has African American in his bloodline.

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“Desiree’s Baby” is a short story written by Kate Chopin. Désirée is the adopted daughter of Monsieur and Madame Valmondé. Abandoned as a baby, she was found by Monsieur Valmondé lying in the shadow of a stone pillar near the Valmondé gateway. She is courted by the son of another wealthy, well known and respected family, Armand. They marry and have a child.

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Throughout “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin, slavery and racism play a massive role in how the characters, particularly Armand Aubigny, interact with one another. In Armand’s case, he believes that he holds one of the oldest, proudest, and whitest names in nineteenth century Louisiana. The pride cached within the Aubigny legacy comes to dictate his life and virtually every drastic decision he makes; he appears to live in constant fear of having his name tarnished. His reputation and pride are established as his driving force, but also contribute to a hatred of anyone who is colored. He wills a strict and ominous slave ownership into reality as a result of this irrational fear and overabundance of pride.

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As a reader, you will notice the impact racism has in the everyday life .Many decisions were impacted do to thought of blacks being inferior to whites. When reading Kate Chopin’s “ Desiree’s Baby” the reader will be introduced racism and the use of local color all throughout the story. In Kate Chopin’s “

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