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Desiree's Baby Figurative Language

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In "Desiree's Baby" the story takes place on a plantation in Louisiana. It revolves around a couple who's names are Desiree and Armand. Everything is going smoothly for these two happy people but it turns into a more complicated situation after the birth of their child. As the story goes on, the reader notices what kind of people Desiree and Armand are and how they are so different. There are many contrasts between them. These differences are made clear as Kate Chopin drops more hints as the story progresses and the reader can better understand what kind of people Armand and Desiree are. She leaves many clues using figurative language, irony, and symbolism to highlight the contrasts between these two people. The most transparent contrast between Armand and …show more content…

It is said the passion that Armand felt when he first saw Desiree was "like an avalanche, or like a prarie fire" (4). These are similes just to show how sudden and powerful he fell in love with her. Arman was not a bad person but it is claimed that "Marriage, and later birth of his son had softened Armand Aubigny's imperious and exacting nature" (17). Although his feelings were so immense and cheerful at the time, things change as the baby's skin tone and features are noticed. Desiree started to notice that Armand did things such as avoiding looking at her, staying away from home, and treating the slaves in an evil manner. It is even said, " the old love-light seemed to have gone out" (18). Desiree truly loved Armand the entire time. She was so happy that Armand had became more gentle.Event though there were times where he was angered and scared her, she still loved him desperately. The story explains, "when he smiled, she asked no greater blessing of God" (17). Armand's love vanished as soon as he found out about the baby. He told Desiree that he wanted her and the baby to leave because he could not tolerate the fact that she was "tainted".

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To the readers, this can be ironic because the drawer that the letter was in, had been opened several times before by Armand when he would put the letters Desiree had written him in there. The readers learn that Armand now knows the truth about his past, but is too scared to be honest with himself and others around him. “When he spoke to her, it was with averted eyes, from which the old love-light seemed to have gone out. He absented himself from home; and when there, avoided her presence and that of her child,

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“He ordered the corbeille from Paris, and contained himself with what patience he could until it arrived, then they were married” (p. 81). As soon as the gifts arrived, he married her. It is as if those physical objects symbolized their marriage, condemning Desiree to be seen as an object too. When Armand burns Desiree’ belongings in a pyre, he is trying to rid his memory of her. Destroying physical objects again reduces Desiree into an object, one that can be forgotten by being rid of her belongings.

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It is what makes this story in its entirety. Desiree couldn’t stand the thought of not being with Armand. So much so that she took her own life along with her child because of it and freed him from the burden

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