One widely known short story that Chopin wrote is the story of “Desiree’s Baby”. The story is about a woman who has struggling relationship with her husband. The story begins when Armand Aubigny all of a sudden falls in love with Desiree, who was a foundling discovered by Monsieur Valmonde. She and Armand marry and have a baby. When the baby is born, Armand is at first delighted. However, the baby’s skin color soon shows signs of the baby being a “Quadroon”. Armand assumes that because of Desiree’s unknown parentage that she is part black. Armand confronts Desiree. She denies being of African descent, and she writes to her mother, begging her for help. Madame Valmondé responds that she and the baby should return home to the Valmondé estate.
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Irony in “Desiree’s Baby” occurs when Armand discovers that he is the one of mixed racial ancestry. In the short story says “Armand will never know that his mother… belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery.” (Irony in Desiree’s Baby, Owl Eyes). In the letter that Armand reads from his mother reveals that it is actually Armand who was of African American descent, not Desiree. Armand’s behavior stands in stark contrast to that of his father, who loved his mother regardless of her race. This irony makes the ending of the story more ironic and devastating because he caused that his wife and his son committed suicide. Another irony that we can find in the story is when Armand sends Desiree and the baby away. The character says“ Do you want me to go?” Armand says “ Yes, I want you to go.”(Chopin 4). Désirée turns away and leaves, hoping at that moment Armand will ask her to stay, but nothing happens. She thought that maybe by threatening Armond that she was going to leave he would change his mind about the origins and the baby’s color. She believed that blackmailing armand everything would return to normal but she only made things …show more content…
The theme in “Desiree’s Baby” represent “Racism” . In the story express how racism made a big impact in their lives by showing how the racism of its white characters causes them to see a person’s race as more important than that person’s self. She never expect that her husband didn’t wanted the baby just because his skin was not white. The author say “It is a lie; it is not true, I am white! Look at my hair, it is brown; and my eyes are gray, Armand, you know they are gray. And my skin is fair,” seizing his wrist. “Look at my hand; whiter than yours, Armand,” she laughed hysterically. “As white as La Blanche’s,” he returned cruelly; and went away leaving her alone with their child.” (Chopin 3). This prove that he don’t care about the feelings of Desiree. Armando was just looking for his benefit. The way he treated her was so disrespectful and racist. Armand’s pride came first before his family because he felt like he had to protect the family name and history at any cost. For this he did not want anything to destroy his
Irony in “Desiree’s Baby” occurs when Armand discovers that he is the one of mixed racial ancestry. In the short story says “Armand will never know that his mother… belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery.” (Irony in Desiree’s Baby, Owl Eyes). In the letter that Armand reads from his mother reveals that it is actually Armand who was of African American descent, not Desiree. Armand’s behavior stands in stark contrast to that of his father, who loved his mother regardless of her race. This irony makes the ending of the story more ironic and devastating because he caused that his wife and his son committed suicide. Another irony that we can find in the story is when Armand sends Desiree and the baby away. The character says“ Do you want me to go?” Armand says “ Yes, I want you to go.”(Chopin 4). Désirée turns away and leaves, hoping at that moment Armand will ask her to stay, but nothing happens. She thought that maybe by threatening Armond that she was going to leave he would change his mind about the origins and the baby’s color. She believed that blackmailing armand everything would return to normal but she only made things …show more content…
The theme in “Desiree’s Baby” represent “Racism” . In the story express how racism made a big impact in their lives by showing how the racism of its white characters causes them to see a person’s race as more important than that person’s self. She never expect that her husband didn’t wanted the baby just because his skin was not white. The author say “It is a lie; it is not true, I am white! Look at my hair, it is brown; and my eyes are gray, Armand, you know they are gray. And my skin is fair,” seizing his wrist. “Look at my hand; whiter than yours, Armand,” she laughed hysterically. “As white as La Blanche’s,” he returned cruelly; and went away leaving her alone with their child.” (Chopin 3). This prove that he don’t care about the feelings of Desiree. Armando was just looking for his benefit. The way he treated her was so disrespectful and racist. Armand’s pride came first before his family because he felt like he had to protect the family name and history at any cost. For this he did not want anything to destroy his