Desiree's Baby Essay

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In Kate Chopin’s “Desiree’s Baby,” the author portrays the setting in the Pre-Civil War period located in the southern region of the United States in order to help the reader understand the characterization. Racism was strongly practiced throughout the story, proving Armand’s hatred towards Desiree and the baby, while conveying people’s ignorance and cruelty towards one another. Ironically, Armand’s cruelty towards his family and slaves ends in tragic devastation of his true identity. This story was told from ominicent third person point of view. The setting in “Desiree’s Baby” occurs during the era of slavery in the nineteenth century. Racism and heritage played a major part of life in the southern United States during this time period.…show more content…
According to Desiree’s mother, this land was described as a “sad looking place,” with the long tree branches creating big shadows (Chopin 232). This setting seems to foreshadow the unpleasant truth and tragic events at the end of the story. Later in the story, Desiree is asked to leave Armand’s house. She “disappeared among the reeds and willows that grew thick along the banks of the deep, sluggish bayou; and she did not come back again” (Chopin 235). Through this setting, the audience is able to understand that Desiree’s emotional isolation from Armand becomes physical. She no longer has the will to live without Armand and the harsh rejection he had towards her. Armand’s pride of his ironically false heritage shaped his life, especially because his family’s name was “one of the oldest and proudest of Louisiana,” (Chopin 232). Armand must manage a demanding and racist society, continue to maintain the position of a proud noble, and eventually understand the truth of his own identity. Throughout the story, the audience sees the dynamic character change his personality and feelings based on the dark reality of society. The reader comes to understand that Armand is a cruel slave owner who recently has become more considerate towards them due to Desiree’s affection. His love towards Desiree comes off superficial when his actions and words regarding his wife change dramatically after realizing

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