Symbolism In Desiree's Baby By Kate Chopin

“Desiree’s Baby” is a short story written by Kate Chopin. This story is about Mr. and Mrs. Valmonde’s adopted daughter Desiree, and how she is courted by the son of another wealthy French Creole neighborhood family, Armand Aubigny who knows nothing of her origins. Desiree was found by an old pillar at a couple months old, believed to be left by a party of Texans. Desiree grew up into a beautiful and gentle young lady, but still had no knowledge on who she really was. Armand falls in love with Desiree at sight and they soon get married and have a child of their own. Things were great between the new family, but as weeks begin to pass the baby begins to grow and his characteristics begin to show his true origins. Leading Armand to question who he fell in love with and where she really came from. Armand, a slave owner is completely against the black …show more content…
(Glossary...2) In “Desiree’s Baby” the stone pillar is the setting of the two most important encounters in Desiree’s life, symbolizing acts of love and transition. “It was no wonder, when she stood one day against the stone pillar in whose shadow she had lain sleep, eighteen years before, that Armand Aubigny riding by and seeing her there, had fallen in love with her.” (Chopin 1) This quote in “Desiree’s Baby” symbolizes the biggest transitions and acts of love in her life. When Desiree was found by Mr. and Mrs. Valmonde by the stone pillar her life was completely transformed. From not knowing who her biological parents were to being adopted and raised by people who also had no knowledge on where she came from. Furthermore when Armand Aubigny falls in love with her at sight by the same stone pillar it was the beginning of a new type of love (Litcharts.com 1). This pillar hold strong symbolism to Desiree as it holds sentimental value in her