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Questions - “Desiree’s Baby” - Kate Chopin
Please answer in a different color font.
1.
Look at the names in the story: Desiree, La Blanche, L’Abri. What is the associated meaning of each name and how does it relate to the story?
Desiree is desire. Desiree is a metaphor for Armand's "desire" to
conceal his African ancestry. "The White One" is what "La Blanche" signifies. The name refers to the conflict in the narrative between Desiree and Armand over who is white. The word "L'Abri" means "shelter." Desiree should have Armand as her "shelter," but since he thinks she is mostly black, he sends her away.
2.
Why would it matter that Desiree’s background was unknown? Why do you think Armand did not consider Desiree’s origins before marrying her?
Armand Aubigny claims it makes no difference to him where she came from. It doesn't matter that she is anonymous, he claims; he
can make her "one of the oldest and proudest in Louisiana." He considers his family to be a well-established, aristocratic, and well-respected white one.
3.
Why did Madame Valmonde look at the child in the best light available? Why did she focus her look at Zandrine?
She wanted to check by putting the baby in the light since she thought it appeared darker. Zandrine, who identified as mixed ("yellow"), was observing that the infant shared the same skin tone.
4.
Why was there an “air of mystery among the blacks” and frequent visitors to L’Abri about
three months after Desiree’s baby was born?
Suggests that they believed the child to be their own. Desiree and Armand, who is of Black descent, had to be the one. Among the
black servants, it remained a mystery.
5.
Why was Armand’s rule over the slaves a strict one? How had his father treated their slaves? What might account for this difference?
He doesn't value the slaves since he thinks he is superior to them. Furthermore, he isn't a really kind person.The narrative says that his father had been an easier, gentler master; it speaks of "the old master's easygoing and indulgent lifetime."Désirée's joy at his first cheerful
mood following the baby's birth shows his true nature: "he hasn't punished one of them [the slaves] — not one of them — since baby is born." He dominates his slaves rigorously, in stark contrast to his father.When the youngster starts exhibiting characteristics of mixed ancestry.
6.
How does Armand’s treatment of the slaves change over the course of the story? What is the reason for this?
As mentioned above; "Désirée's joy at his first cheerful mood following the baby's birth shows his true nature: "he hasn't punished one of them [the slaves] — not one of them — since the baby was born." He dominates his slaves rigorously, in stark contrast to his father.When the youngster starts exhibiting characteristics of mixed ancestry
7.
Why does Armand reject Desiree and their baby?
Armand's affection for Désirée swiftly fades when their child is born since she tarnished his reputation. The fact that his feelings for her might change so quickly indicates how fleeting they are.
8.
What happens to Desiree and her baby at the end of the story? Where do they go? What
can we assume?
Ultimately, after being ordered to go back to her parents and rejected by her husband Armand, Desiree takes the infant and disappears into the marsh. This suggests that the mother and kid probably drowned in the marsh and that the child also disappears.
9.
What ironic twist occurs at the end of the story?
When Armand discovers his family's secret, that his mother's family is black, it's an ironic twist that places the whole story
into sharp perspective.
10. What is Chopin trying to convey in this story in regards to being a woman or a person of color in society at this time?
In her short story, Chopin explores the inequalities she believes
exist between men and women by portraying Desiree as sensitive and weak and her husband Armand as domineering and superior.
During this era, sexism prevented women from advocating for themselves.
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