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Racism in literature
Desiree's baby essay on racism
Desiree's baby essay on racism
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Josie Prof. Patbarroero ENG`2403`W06 Nov. 29 2016 Test 3 (topic three) The novel “Desiree’s Baby” written by Kate Chopin is story talking about how Armand’s attitude change after he see the baby Desiree gives birth to. It illustrates the low position of people of color in the America of that period, which is hardly to image nowadays. The story is written in third person. Madame Valmondé drove to visit Desiree and to see her lovely baby. They enjoyed the time taking care of the baby. In the way to Desiree’s house, Madame Valmondé remembered that when Desiree was a little girl, she was abandoned by her parents. It was comforting that she grew up and married with Armand. It should be congratulated that finally they had a baby. Four weeks later, …show more content…
Quadroon cannot marry with a white person. The racial discrimination was obvious. The position of people of color in the America of that time was extraordinary low. Learning from history class, I find that white people had privileges to enjoy the welfare which black people could not. The society even divided the bus into two parts and black people could only sit in the back of the bus. The unfairness between white and black was developed because of the slavery. White people treated black people as slaves, who were deprived of freedom. The slaves were lack of food and they had to work very hard in order to avoid beating by their owners. They could only marry with black people like them, so that their children had to be treated as slaves as well. It is really unfair nowadays. People are equal and it is no different whether their skin is white or black. As for me, we should respect people around us no matter what color of their skin. The concept of race discrimination should be abandoned with the developing of our society. What we should do is never judge a person according to his or her race. It is not crucial. The truly essential thing is focusing on people’s creditable qualities. In this way, we can eliminate the race discrimination and show our concerns to people who suffered from the dark
Armand feels like he is the victim of betrayal by his wife Désirée. As the baby gets older it is clear that the baby is not white. Armand’s attitude quickly makes him assume that Désirée is not white giving Armand a feeling of deception. He denounces his love for Désirée and the child and casts them out of the house and his life. Désirée is stricken with grief about her treatment by Armand. She cannot believe how a man who loves her so much could treat her with such hostility and cruelty. Désirée develops a negative attitude towards herself and her baby. She is upset that she cannot change how Armand thinks of her because of her baby. This attitude causes Désirée to walk out of Armand’s life forever to her demise. Core beliefs also give to human behavior in “Samuel” and “Desiree’s
“Desiree’s Baby” can represent a timeframe status of how slavery and race were a factor that defined people. Armand was very ambiguous by the tone he would had towards Desiree and by his action. Desiree was faithful to her husband, in the other hand we are able to understand or presumed that La Blanche’s boy looked very alike as Desiree’s baby, which most likely Armand might be the father of both kids. Armand was in love at first, but then his pride and ambiguous.
In the short story Desiree’s Baby by Kate Chopin, there are many examples of foreshadowing that provides the reader with insight on the events to come. Chopin constantly hints at the importance of lineage and origin which informs the readers that it will play a large part within the plot. Significant families in the South take pride in their heritage and name which are seemingly important to Armand; important enough to abandon his wife and child. In the ending, it is revealed to the readers that Armand is the one who is not completely white (Chopin 5). The story does not tell whether Armand knew the entire time or he was just finding out from reading the letter. There are many times throughout Desiree’s Baby that infers that Armand knew about where he came from before he even met Desiree.
Thesis: In Kate Chopin’s novel, The Awakening the characters of the Creole men are diverse and different as the character Edna. Most of Kate Chopin’s stories center around a Woman unsatisfied with her position in life, while living in a man dominated society. The three main characters are typical men of that era. Chopin shows the diversity in each of those three characters. Roberts awakening, and the struggle to do what is the right thing. Alcee and how he is carefree and not concerned with society’s expectations of him, and so has a reputation. Mr. Pontiller, a business man first and foremost, with little left for wife and family. Robert did the right and noble thing by leaving to go to Mexico so as to not have to see the object of his forbidden love. Alcee see’s Edna as another one of his conquest, and does not give up, pursuing her at all cost. Alcee has not concern of what society thinks of him so he is able to do as he pleases. Mr. Pontieller, while he believes himself to be a kind husband, is a typical businessman of the era. He wants his wife to obey him. He wants the perfect Creole wife, one who can help him excel in the business world he loves so much. In exploring these three men in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, there are certain aspects of each, while different, the same. All live in the 1800’s were morale reputation was considered to be the utmost importance to the Sommerer ii businessman, yet, Alcee seems unconcerned with any morale or business responsibility. In exploring the character of Robert who seems to be at a crossroad in his life. Search for his fortune, find a wife, prosper and be respectable, or, do the unthinkable and follow his heart. Sommerer iii Creole Men In The Awakening: Mr. Pontellier is the typical Creole husband and businessman. “Leonce is convinced that fulfilling monetary needs excuses the paucity of time he spends with the children, never presuming that some needs cannot be monetarily satisfied: {“He has his hands full with his brokerage business …making a living for his family on the street”(885)} Even to himself, Leonce’s thought smack of the self-pity of the empowered. Perhaps because he is aware of his own neglect, Leonce projects his guilt onto Edna, expecting flawless mammal performance on her part to remedy his domestic absence.
In “Desiree Baby”, author, Chopin emphasizes racism by selecting certain words to symbolize the association between light and darkness, and the slaves on the plantation.
In 'Desiree?s Baby,' Chopin illustrates her idea of the relationship between men and women by portraying Desiree as vulnerable and easily affected, whereas Armand is presented as superior and oppressive. Throughout ?Desiree?s Baby,? Kate Chopin investigates the concept of Armand's immense power over Desiree. At first, Desiree tries to conform to the traditional female role by striving to be an obedient wife. Later in the story, this conformity changes after Desiree gives birth to her part-black son.
“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.
The story begins with the narrator speaking of Desiree, and how she was found lying asleep, next to the property entrance. It was evident that she was abandoned; there were assumptions of who might have possibly left the small infant child. The story line took place in Louisiana. During the particular time era, and in this region, large plantations were very common, slavery too. The family who found Desiree was plantation owners an...
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.
The first important part of a short story is the characters. “A character is a person, or sometimes even an animal, who takes part in the action of a short story or other literary work.” One of the most important characters in the story is Desiree’, who 's the baby’s momma and daughter of Madame Valmondé. Desiree who is the main character the story has a baby who is the main reason for all those conflicts
Towards the end of “Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin Desiree has the belief that she and her child are of mixed race, instead of going to her mother or father for help she instead walks into a swamp and kills herself and her child. Desiree’s actions were wrong, there were much easier way out of the situation than the one she chose to pursue. Even though some may try to justify her actions, at the end of the day she not only took her life but her child's as well.
She starts to thing that probably the nurses took her baby and switched him. When it comes to trying to figure out her background she does many things. At some point she even inspected the baby in the sunlight to see if was not switched by any chance throughtout the time that she was in the hospital. While Desiree was waiting about her response Armand has grew away from her. And the love that he once felt for her was slowly fading away. Even though Desiree still in love with Armand he had faded away from her and her baby. So Madame Valmonde sent her response and with the letter she told Desiree to go back home with her baby, back to her mother that loved her so much. So she decided to tell Armand with the letter on his desk, should we go. With Armand still having the thought of her being part of a black background he decided that yes they should go and leave him alone that is something that the feminist view brought him to think and to choose something like this. When she left he still didn’t believe that it could be him that had the black background. So a few weeks after he finally decides to see what the letter actually said on