Truth To Armands Background example essay topic

p Dsires Baby is a short story written by Kate Chopin. Around the period when this story was written, a lot of racism and prejudice was present within American society. The 19th century was a difficult time for both women and blacks, due to the domination of white men. A mixed background was not tolerated, therefore the history and background of a person was very important, to the status of a family and their social placement. Some whites that were not racist still had to follow the common social guidelines, or else risk social death. Dsires Baby displays aspects of a mixed background and the problems it produced within the 19th century.

Racism, within the story, isnt openly discussed but it is clearly covered. Armand Aubigny is a person of high status, who owns the L Abri plantation. He is faced with a family secret that has been hidden from him. However, throughout the story certain aspects can convey the fact that Armand knew the secret all along. Dsire is a young woman who has been adopted by a wealthy family. She marries Armand and has his child, but is eventually forced to leave.

Knowing that a marriage of mixed race was against social standards Armand marries a friend, Dsire, from his youth he had known her since his father brought him home from Paris, a boy of eight. As Dsire was found and adopted, there was no way of knowing her background had found her lying asleep she was nameless. Despite this Armand fell in love with her fell in love, as if struck by a pistol shot, this concept of immediate love is more likely to be infatuation. Dsires background was of no concern to Armand Armand looked into his eyes and did not care What did it matter about a name. This is one of the aspects, which may convey tha Armand knew his family secret, for his was just marrying Dsire to cover up his background, and to solve a problem. Within the story a certain part of the text that backs up this assumption Armands dark handsome face had not often been disfigured by frowns since the day he fell in love with her.

Monsieur Aubigny is not a very racist character, for we discover that he was married to a black woman, also he treated his slaves with compassion and kindness married and buried his wife in France Easy-going and indulgent lifetime. Unlike his father Armand is very racist, and is very strict and overpowering towards the slaves Young Aubignys rule was a strict one too his Negroes had forgotten how to be gay. This is another aspect, which may convey the reasons of his racism; that he was simply paranoid about the truth of his background. However, after his marriage and after the birth of his son, his dealings towards the slaves changed softened Armand Aubignys imperious and exacting nature greatly. At Madame Valmond visit she instantly notices that the baby is not purely white This is not the babyS he scanned the baby narrowly, then looked as searchingly at Zandrine. She did not mention anything to her daughter, I think this shows her concern and hope for Dsires future.

It isnt until the baby is three months old that everyone begins to notice the change in the baby there was something in the air menacing her peace air of mystery among the blacks visits from far-off neighbours avoided her presence and that of her child. Armand, realizing his child is a quadroon baby, he returns to his old racist self the very spirit of Satan seemed suddenly to take hold of him in his dealings with the slaves. Dsire realizes the truth about her baby she looked from her child to the boy who stood beside him, and back again, over and over, no sooner then she does this, Armand confronts her. He automatically assumes it is Dsire who is not purely white the child is not white; it means that you are not white. Dsire adamantly denies Armands accusations It is a lie it is not true, I am white Look at my hand; whiter than yours Armand. To try and prove to Armand that she is white, she writes a letter to her mother asking if shes white My mother, they tell me that I am not white For Gods sake tell them it is not true.

You must know it is not true. Madame Valmond does not answer Dsires questions, her reply simply demonstrates her unconditional love and the fact that she isnt racist Come home to Valmond; back to your mother who loves you. Come with your child. After receiving the letter she approaches Armand. He not only displays his racism, but also how hed give up his wife and child to remain a person of high status within society Yes, I want you to gone no longer loved her, because of the unconscious injury she had brought upon his home and name.

This quote also supports my belief that Armand was simply infatuated with Dsire, for if he was truly in love with her he wouldnt care if she was black or not. Dsire left the plantation with her baby. She made the fateful decision that, because racism and prejudice was present within society, there was no hope for a future for her and her child. This decision lead to her suicide and to the infanticide of her baby She disappeared among the reeds and willows And she did not come back again.

Armand had always been dominant and in control of everything around him, therefore he never had anything to fear. However, now his child was a quadroon baby, he feared the chance of social rejection. He ordered for everything of Dsire and the babys to be burnt, showing he had no plans for having anymore children Great bonfire The material which kept this fire ablaze A graceful cradle of willow Last thing to go was a tiny bundle of letters. During this emotional and rash moment he discovered a letter It was part of an old letter from his mother to his father. This letter revealed the truth to Armands background I thank the good 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 slavery. The story comes to a close here, displaying a very tragic irony.

The wife and child he once loved and simply gave up, were innocent of his resentment and his accusations. God did enact the final revenge on Armand, with the appearance of a simple letter with tragic significance. Even though this story never openly discusses themes of racism, there are many aspects of racism within the story. Overall I think that Kate Chopin was trying to teach the reader that even though social attitudes change, prejudice, hatred and racism will still exist within aspects of society.