Situational Irony In Desiree's Baby By Kate Chopin

"Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin is a short story that explores the themes of race, identity, and prejudice in the American South. Desiree, who has an unknown racial history, becomes married to a high class man named Armand, and they begin a life together after Armand “fell in love, as if struck by a pistol shot” (Chopin 539). Soon after Desiree gives birth to their first child, Armand suspects that his son is of Black ancestry and forces them to leave. Ironically, Armand later learns that he too is of Black ancestry and realizes that he has lost his true family due to his strong prejudice against Black people. Chopin uses the setting of a socio-political atmosphere, the characterization of personalities during that time, and subtle irony to

This unusual ending classifies as situational irony due to the fact that it is completely unexpected. The irony in this story stems from Armand’s false assumptions of Desiree. While Armand burns all of Desiree’s belongings, he later finds out that he is also Black through a forgotten letter between his parents. The letter states, “I thank the good God for having so arranged our lives that our dear Armand will never know that his mother, who adores him, belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery” (Chopin 542). Armand’s reaction to this information is unknown but it can be inferred that he is regretful and feels shame for what he has done to his family. The unexpected ending causes the situation to become ironic due to Armand’s harsh judgment of Desiree and his child, only to find out that he too is Black. Armand deserves this harsh truth after forcing his loving wife and son to leave. Another ironic aspect of this story is that while Armand’s father knew that his mother was Black, he continued to love and accept her, which is the opposite of Armand’s reaction. While Armand accuses Desiree, she says, “‘Look at my hand; whiter than yours, Armand,’ she laughed hysterically” (Chopin ??). Desiree’s comment foreshadows the twist at the end because Desiree says that her skin is lighter than Armand’s and also shows how she is feeling frantic by her hysterical laughter. Armand continues to bash Desiree for her racial identity until it drives her to the point of disappearing with her child. Desiree’s decision to disappear is ironic because since she and her son are both of the Black race, they both “did not come back again” (Chopin ???) after being terribly disrespected by Armand. The story does not specify whether Desiree had committed suicide or if she and her child relocated. Armand forces his family to leave, which is an underlying way to reject himself from his own racial identity.