All humans aspire to be unique but act the same as everybody else. This is the dilemma that human beings all have to face when it comes to identity. The reason for this is because we want to be accepted into society but conformity has its consequences. Similarly in the story Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin, the author takes the reader back to the times of slavery to meet a young couple happily wedded with a newborn baby. Just after the baby's birth, its skin color causes Armand, the Husband, to destroy his family, deny his heritage and lose his loved ones. Why, because of the babies race, which it had no control over, was unacceptable. The consequences Armand faced were all because of his urge to conform which served him little good. All in …show more content…
all, throughout the story, Chopin uses symbolism to show how race can affect one’s identity or lack of in profound ways. In the story, Desiree's Baby the author conveys the topic of identity which ties into the theme of race having a profound effect on your identity. Firstly, what is identity? According to Webster's dictionary, an identity is "the qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or group different from others". In the story, the evidence of this is shown when the narrator states, “He [Armand] thought Almighty God had dealt cruelly and unjustly with him; and felt, somehow, that he was paying Him back in kind when he stabbed thus into his wife’s soul” (Chopin 3). This quote is representing how Armond felt when he found out that his baby was black. Additionally, it shows how his preconceived notions of the black race are negative and dirty and how he hates his own son because of this. The main reason he hates his son for being black is because that puts a stain on his reputation and family name which are intimately connected to the identity of Armand. Another instance where the author further develops the theme of your race affecting your identity is shown when the narrator describes “One of La Blanche’s little quadroon boys—half naked too— stood fanning the child slowly with a fan of peacock feathers” (Chopin 2). In other words, we see that the quadroon boy or a black boy slave is forced to do menial work and arduous jobs just based on the merit of his skin color. His identity of the quadroon boy was given to him by someone else (Armand) just because he was black and so this made him a slave and inferior in his eyes. The quadroon boys were also Armand's sons with a slave and they were not accepted as “legitimate heirs” because they were black with a black mother. The idea that your race affects your identity is symbolized all through the story. A first example is “The roof came down steep and black like a cowl, reaching out beyond the wide galleries that encircled the yellow stuccoed house. Big, solemn oaks grew close to it, and their thick-leaved, far-reaching branches shadowed it like a pall”(Chopin 1). This quote symbolizes the metaphorical darkness and secrets that loom over the family and the fact that the baby is actually black. It also refers to the fact that it represents the race of the mother who actually was supposed to take care of this house, who was also black. This relates to identity because it relates to the skin color of the child and the family members were in the literal dark about the matter. Another time the author uses symbolism to convey the theme is when the narrator states “Désirée was little more than a baby herself; when Monsieur in riding through the gateway of Valmondé had found her lying asleep in the shadow of the big stone pillar”(Chopin 1). In connection to the theme, it can be inferred that Desiree is black. The reason we can assume this is because her origins are unknown. There are many ways in this story where the other characters were affected by the racial tensions and prejudices of the slave times.
For example, the slaves because of their identity got treated with cruelty because of the fact they were black. The narrator states “ Young Aubigny’s [Armands] rule was a strict one, too, and under it, his negroes had forgotten how to be gay, as they had been during the old master’s easy-going and indulgent lifetime.” (Chopin 1). All things considered, this is an example of how your race can be seen as different things to different people but it still impacts you. For the slaves, their race still played a factor in their life due to the fact that they were slaves but the old master (Armand's father) did not have the negative perceptions that his son had and we can see this in the way he treated his slaves. Armond most likely having a feeling or unconsciously knowing that he was somehow not fully white, put his self-hate on the slaves and his family. Equally important is the way that his racial views affected his wife and child's identity. The wife and child by merit of being white were shown a different side of how race can affect your identity than the slaves. An example of this is shown in this quote “Marriage, and later the birth of his son had softened Armand Aubigny’s imperious and exacting nature greatly. This was what made the gentle Désirée so happy, for she loved him desperately. When he frowned she trembled, but loved him. When he smiled, she asked no greater blessing of God. But Armand’s dark, handsome face had not often been disfigured by frowns since the day he fell in love with her” (Chopin 2). Of course this shows that Armand treats his wife differently than the black mistress LaBlanche because of her skin color. In this instance, her skin color is an advantage for her because it signals higher status and class. She gets to live the life of luxury with Armand because of her skin color. Later on in the story, though
she is exiled from his home due to an assumption on Armand's part that she was black. This action is also a testament showing how weak their love was and that it was really just a figment of the imagination. In conclusion, race has a major impact on the identity or lack thereof of any person in the world. The author uses symbolism such as how Armand treated the quadroon boys horribly which represents him being angry at himself. 1hat show how people tie their identity around race and make it part of their identity to discriminate other people because of theirs.
There are many factors that lead to the development of an individual’s identity. Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” illustrates an extreme change in Gregor Samsa’s external identity and the overall outward effect it has on the development of his family. While James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” illustrates a young man struggling to find his identity while being pushed around by what society and his family wants him to be. Both of these characters exhibit an underlying struggle of alienation but both also demonstrate a craving for belongingness. This conflict of trying to belong to something as well as satisfying the needs of society, has directly impacted their own individuality and the lives of the people around them.
Throughout the story we are able to see that race and skin color is serious problem. Armand was in love with Desiree, but then he care more about having child with color eyes and light skin color. Even thought his mom wasn’t white, he ignores that and blames Desiree for not giving
In Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, Edna Pontellier’s suicide is an assertion of her independence and contributes to Chopin’s message that to be independent one must choose between personal desires and societal expectations. Chopin conveys this message through Edna’s reasons for committing suicide and how doing so leads her to total independence.
Many female writers write about women's struggle for equality and how they are looked upon as inferior. Kate Chopin exhibits her views about women in her stories. The relationship between men and women in Kate Chopin's stories imply the attitudes that men and women portray. In many of Chopin's works, the idea that women's actions are driven by the men in the story reveals that men are oppressive and dominant and women are vulnerable, gullable and sensitive. Chopin also shows that females, like Desiree and Eleanor, undergo a transformation from dependent and weak to stronger women free from their husbands by the end of the story. In the short story 'Desiree's Baby,' Kate Chopin reveals her idea of the relationship between men and women by showing instances of inferiority and superiority throughout the story. In 'A Point at Issue,' there are many instances where the idea of hypocrisy and the attitudes that the main characters display and how their actions affect each other's lives, show the impact that men have on women's lives.
“Edna, like Walt, falls in love with her own body, and her infatuation with the inadequate Robert is merely a screen for her overwhelming obsession, which is to nurse and mother herself” (Modern Critical Views 2). Edna Pontellier is an estimable woman of the tardy 1800s who not only apperceives that she owns many sexual desires, but additionally finds the vigor internally to digress from society’s code of conduct and builds up the nerve to act on them. Breaking through the role appointed to her by society, convivial protocol, and everyone who circumvents her, she finds herself determined to set her own identity, disinterested in both her husband and children. Many of Kate Chopin’s other stories feature zealous, and quite unconventional female
This makes us think that she he had been abandoned at a very young age
“Desiree Baby” by Kate Chopin is a very thought provoking short story that deals with racism, prejudice, and love. The story takes place in southern Louisiana, where Armand, a prominent landowner, marries a girl of unknown origin named Desiree. The story has a twist when their baby is born and is discovered to be of mixed race. Armand knew all along that he was OF mixed race, and I will prove it by analyzing characterization, diction, and imagery.
In the story of “Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin, there are many literary themes that can be analyzed such as love, racism, gender inequality, and miscegenation. What this analysis will focus on is primarily on the central male character, Armand Aubigny, and on his views towards racism. More specifically, what this essay will aim to prove is that Armand Aubigny looked down upon the African race to the point where he hated them. One of the biggest driving points to aid this idea is how his family name shaped his behavior and actions according to the societal normalities of his time period. Another important aspect that will be considered is his very relationship towards his slaves in how he treated them cruelly even to the point where he is described as “having the spirit of Satan” (Chopin 3). In addition to this, the reader will also see Armand’s negative reaction to being aware of the implications of his son and wife having mixed blood in where he practically disowns them. With all this culminating to Armand finding out the ugly truth that the race he had treated so horribly is actually a part of his very own blood as well.
In “Desiree’s Baby,” Kate Chopin writes about the life of a young lady and her new family. In this short story, the fond couple lived in Louisiana before the American Civil War. Chopin illustrates the romantic atmosphere between Armand and Desiree. Chopin also describes the emotion of the parents for their new born. When the baby was born, Armand’s heart had softened on behalf of others. One afternoon, Desiree and the baby were relaxing in a room with a young boy fanning them with peacock feathers. As they were relaxing, Desiree had sniffed a threatening scent. Desiree desired Armand’s assistance as she felt faint from the odor that she could not comprehend. Armand had denied the request his wife sent. Therefore, he cried out that she nor the baby were white. Thus, Desiree took the baby and herself and walked into the bayou and they were never seen again. In this short story, Chopin illustrates the psychological abuse Desiree faces from her husband.
In her story, Desiree’s Baby, Kate Chopin underlined the contrast between lust and love, exploring the problem of a man’s pride that exceeded the love he has for his wife. Armand, the main character of the story, is a slave owner who lived in Louisiana during the era of slavery. He married an adopted young woman, Desiree, and together they have a son who eventually became an obstacle in the way of his father’s happiness, thus removing out the true character of Armand. Desiree’s Baby, by Kate Chopin is a love story, love that ultimately proved to be a superficial love, a story that shed light on the ugly relationships between people. “Lust is temporary, romance can be nice,
... be part of that race. He did not want his well looked upon family name to be ruined. He was portrayed as a man who had it all. He had a reputation to keep maintained and Armand being part black would have ruined it. He owned a plantation and was a slave master. Racism did play a major role because when Armand found out that the baby was mixed everything changed such as Armand’s mood and Desiree’s happiness. She seemed to be very jolly and happy. Armand was also content. He was pleasant to the slaves. After he saw his child growing to be mixed it changed his whole attitude. He did not love the child genuinely because love is unconditional. He was more concerned about the race of the child. This was a great short story to read and it gave me insight on the importance and seriousness of our society back then. I am glad we have overcome these terrible racial matters.
“Desiree’s Baby”, written by Kate Chopin, takes place in the late 1800s, during a time of class and racial conflict. The story highlights just where blacks stood in society by sharing the treatment that blacks got as slaves, as well as the pride that the white citizens have over themselves. Blacks were typically seen in a much lower tier then their white counter parts, and to have them both on the same level is unfathomable. “Desiree’s Baby” uses pride to show that people tend to care more about themselves and aren’t who they say they are.
As humans, we live our life within the boundaries of our belief systems and moral guidelines we were raised with. Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” and “Desiree’s Baby” tells the story of two women who live according to those societal boundaries.
This story is more on the racist side other than being enslaved in marriages. Even though is more on the racist side you can connect it with Kate Chopin Common theme. The story is mainly about a married white couple who haves a black child. Again at this time period there is still a lot of slavery going on, so the husband blames the wife, Desiree, for being black since she was originally adopted. After the husband finds out that there’s a possibility that his wife have black heritage in her. “Then a strange, an awful change in her husband’s manner, which she dared not ask him to explain. When he spoke to her, it was with averted eyes, from which the old love-light seemed to have gone out. He absented himself from home; and when there, avoided her presence and that of her child” (Chopin). Here in this part of the story Chopin shows how was Desiree being mistreated once the husband found out she might be black. Not only does it proves the rights of women and was it disobeyed but also proves how the time period the story takes place. What I’m trying to prove is that Kate Chopin common theme is women rights and their role in marriages at her time era, it shows all her stories are taken place around the same generation. “Desiree was happy when she had the baby and Armand was as happy and nice to the slaves then before but after he saw his child growing to be mixed it changed his whole attitude” (Griffin). This shows how the story takes place during slavery time, since the husband had
Throughout time, humans struggled with issues of conformity and individuality. In the modern world, individuality is idealized, as it is associated with strength. Weak individuals are usually portrayed as conforming to society and having almost no personal ideas. In “Desiree’s Baby”, a short story, the author Kate Chopin deals with the struggles of African descendants in the French colonies during the time of slave labor. The protagonist is a white woman named Desiree who is of unknown origin and birth as she was found abandoned as an infant at an aristocrat’s doorstep. Eighteen years after her discovery, she and a fellow aristocrat, Armand Aubigny, fall in love and get married. They soon have a child, yet conflict arises when the child is discovered to be black. The young family is destroyed when the baby’s father, Armand, refuses to accept the child. In “Desiree’s Baby”, Chopin demonstrates through Armand’s conflicts how weak humans conform to environmental norms.