Desiree's Baby Rhetorical Analysis

Thesis: After reading Desiree’s Baby by Kate Choplin in this story. I noticed there are three irony; verbal, situation and dramatic. I believe that Kate Choplin used Irony to point out racism and Discrimination.

I. The verbal irony in Desiree’s Baby is when Armand assumes Desiree is not who she says she is, in a sarcastic way.

A. Armand was proud to be a father by a boy to bear his name. Until three months later, she cried out to Armand. “Tell me what it means!” He answered Desiree with a statement saying “that child is not white; it means that you are not white. (p.83)

B. Desiree tell Armand that is a lie. Due to the fact her skin is fair. She state “Look at my hand; whiter than yours. She was in such disbelief that Desiree even wrote her

The Situation irony is found at the end of the story. When Armand finally realize who his true race after tell Desiree and the child to go. Desiree decided to leave with the garment that she had on thus leaving everything behind.

A. Armand is getting rid of what seems of Desiree’s belong and coming across letter that she had sent to him during the days of their espousal.

B. Armand did not realize the remaining letter left in the very back drawer. From his mother to his father, he read it. She was “Thanking god for the blessing of her husband’s love.” As Armand read further along his mom state to his father “I thank the 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 slaver.”

III. Last, the Dramatic irony occurred in the beginning of the story when Desiree described Armand to her mother.

A. “Armand as dark, handsome face had not often been disfigured by frowns since the day he fell in love with her.”(p.82)

B. Armand went so long he entire child hood not wondering why his skin was dark. Yet, refuse to believe his wife who he first set eyes on who was fair skin. But, referred to him as dark and handsome.

Conclusion: Finally; Verbal, Situation, and Dramatic irony where used in this story to show race and decimation at it