Desiree S Baby
John-Luke Kanzler
Dr. Asmus
English 1110-33
February 12,2015
Desiree’s Baby
Why does race matter in a relationship? Great figures in history have noted that race should never play a role in any relationship. Allowing race to impact a relationship could easily cause it to fall apart, leading to both sides being hurt in the end. In Kate Chopin’s short story “Desiree’s Baby”, the race of Desiree and Armand’s child cause Armand to turn a cold shoulder to his wife and his child, eventually driving Desire to suicide. By analyzing the racism in the story, it becomes clear that heritage, setting, and social norms play a major role in the motives of the story.
Armand’s family was old and wealthy and was very important to the Louisiana plantation. He was light skin and handsome. His mother died when he was eight years old, so he does not remember the skin tone of his mother. He just assumed she was Caucasian. Armand states his name was “One of the oldest and proudest in Louisiana” (Chopin, 650) Therefore, Armand was born into wealth. On the other hand, Desiree was abandoned and was taken in by the Valmonde’s family. The Valmonde’s had not been blessed with any children, so they took in Desiree and raised her as their own child. The Valmonde's taking in this child as their own, is two blessing in one. Desiree gets the love and support that she needs from parents, and the Valmonde's get a child that they are now able to give love and support to. Growing up to become a beautiful woman, she attracted the attention of Armand Aubigny. Armand was a neighboring plantation owner and bearer of one of the finest names in Louisiana. His Heritage will play a major role in this story
Desiree and Armand met as children growing up on the plantation. But at that time, Armand did not love her. “The wonder was that he had not loved her before; for he had known her since his father brought him home from Paris, a boy of eight, after his mother died there.” (651). Falling in love with
Dr. Asmus
English 1110-33
February 12,2015
Desiree’s Baby
Why does race matter in a relationship? Great figures in history have noted that race should never play a role in any relationship. Allowing race to impact a relationship could easily cause it to fall apart, leading to both sides being hurt in the end. In Kate Chopin’s short story “Desiree’s Baby”, the race of Desiree and Armand’s child cause Armand to turn a cold shoulder to his wife and his child, eventually driving Desire to suicide. By analyzing the racism in the story, it becomes clear that heritage, setting, and social norms play a major role in the motives of the story.
Armand’s family was old and wealthy and was very important to the Louisiana plantation. He was light skin and handsome. His mother died when he was eight years old, so he does not remember the skin tone of his mother. He just assumed she was Caucasian. Armand states his name was “One of the oldest and proudest in Louisiana” (Chopin, 650) Therefore, Armand was born into wealth. On the other hand, Desiree was abandoned and was taken in by the Valmonde’s family. The Valmonde’s had not been blessed with any children, so they took in Desiree and raised her as their own child. The Valmonde's taking in this child as their own, is two blessing in one. Desiree gets the love and support that she needs from parents, and the Valmonde's get a child that they are now able to give love and support to. Growing up to become a beautiful woman, she attracted the attention of Armand Aubigny. Armand was a neighboring plantation owner and bearer of one of the finest names in Louisiana. His Heritage will play a major role in this story
Desiree and Armand met as children growing up on the plantation. But at that time, Armand did not love her. “The wonder was that he had not loved her before; for he had known her since his father brought him home from Paris, a boy of eight, after his mother died there.” (651). Falling in love with