Introduction
In the short story Desirée’s Baby, Kate Chopin uses irony and foreshadowing to contrast the characters of Desirée and Armand and their perception of love amidst external influences. The story, written in 1894, depicts the realities of white privilege, racism, and slavery in the late 19th century. Whiteness is symbolic of love and happiness, while being black depicts hatred and violence.
The author uses third-person narration to show how the two characters interpret love and how it affects their relationship. The narrator creates suspense at the end of the story by introducing information that changes the dynamics of the relationship between Armand and Desirée.
The Baby’s Appearance
One of the first instances of irony is the appearance of Desirée’s Baby. The author indicates that “she looked from her child to the boy who stood beside him, and back again; over and over” (Chopin 2). The quote illustrates the shock when Desirée discovers that her baby resembles the black boy who is fanning him. The author also uses foreshadowing by comparing the baby to loyalty.
Chopin indicates that “the baby, half naked, lay asleep upon her great mahogany bed, that was like a sumptuous throne” (Chopin 2). The quote also shows the love that Desirée had for her baby. The discovery that the baby appears black and not white leads to a fracture in the relationship between Armand and Desirée. The irony is further extended during the novel’s ending when a letter reveals Armand is from a mixed-race family. The reaction towards Desirée was devasting and affected them both significantly.
Christianity and Deviance
The narrator also depicts another form of irony when there is a mention of God and suicide in the same conversation. Chopin indicates, “For God’s sake, tell them it is not true…I shall die, I must die. I cannot be so unhappy and live.” (Chopin 3). The quote illustrates that Desirée was prepared to die after being told by Armand she was black. Ironically, Armand realizes that it was a lie when he was burning items that belonged to Desirée. The author depicts Desirée’s love as having had a positive effect on Armand. This shows that in the past, Armand was cruel to the workers, who were mainly black (Matsushita 45).
The relationship between the two characters also helps illuminate other issues that are essential in the development of the plot. Armand is religious, but her treatment of Desirée does not display any aspects of Christianity. Armand is indifferent to Desirée after finding out that the baby is black. This realization results in Desirée having to go back to her foster mother. The author extends the irony by showing that it was indeed Armand who was from a mixed heritage.
Armand’s Heritage
One of the essential aspects of irony is presented at the end of the story when Armand learns that his mother is black. This changes the dynamics of the narration as it becomes clear that Armand made a serious mistake. The irony is that Armand has rejected his son due to his mixed heritage while he also came from a mixed family. The author shows that Armand would not prefer to be associated with a child who is not white. Chasing Desirée and the baby away indicates that Armand does not want the child to be recognized as officially his.
Another aspect of irony is Armand’s commitment to the preservation of the racial hierarchy of America. This can be seen in the way Armand treats both Desirée and the black workers. The author uses this aspect of irony to show that slavery degraded both the oppressor and the oppressed (Matsushita 46). The white people had become unaware of the impacts of their actions.
Relationship Between Armand and Desirée
The relationship between Armand and Desire is two-faced: in the first years, the two relate positively, but after the child, things change to hatred. Armand was critical of ensuring that her child was white; hence, after seeing Desirée, he fell in love immediately. The author notes that after the birth of the baby, Armand was the proudest father in the parish. This indicates that Armand’s desires were met by the baby, who was a white boy (Jamil 2).
However, the relationship between the two changes after the discovery that the boy is black. This impacts the relationship as the author notes that “Desirée awoke one day to the conviction that there was something in the air menacing her peace” (Chopin 2). Following this scenario, Desirée asks Armand what the appearance of the child means. In another instance of irony, Armand is confident that it is Desirée who is black. For this reason, Desirée decided to go back home as she had been rejected by the person whom she loved deeply. The selfishness of Armand results in their relationship ending.
Desirée Name
The name Desirée is a foreshadowing as it depicts Madame Valmondé’s desire for a child. The author shows that the woman finds Desirée when she is riding through the gateway. The narrator presupposes that she had been abandoned by a party of Texans. Madame Valmondé seemed to think that the baby had been sent to her by a supreme being (Chopin 1).
As the plot thickens, the narrator depicts another instance where Desirée is abandoned again. Desirée is forced to go back home with the baby as Armand had told her she was not black. The author indicates that Desirée went and did not come back again, which may indicate that something else may have happened. The suspense is then extended when the ending shows that Armand is from a mixed family. The new insight into the heritage of Armand ensures that the readers understand the dynamics of the relationship between the two.
Conclusion
In summary, Desirée’s Baby is a story that provides insight into the impacts of white privilege and racism on family and society. Armand treats Desirée with hatred and indifference after realizing that the child is black. The irony is that Desirée was indeed white, while Armand was from a mixed white and black family. The name Desirée and the comparison of the baby to loyalty are examples of foreshadowing. The use of irony and foreshadowing helps the reader understand the character’s perception of love, which is based on external influences. Armand is influenced by the need to preserve the white hierarchy, while Desirée is motivated by love and a complete family.
Works Cited
Chopin, Kate. Desiree’s baby. 1893.
Jamil, S. Selina. “Armand Aubigny’s Quest for Legitimacy.” A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes, and Reviews, 2022, pp. 1–9. Web.
Matsushita, Saya. “Armand and Desiree” Enact” Scenes: Performing Race and Gender in Kate Chopin’s” Desiree’s Baby”.” Nine English Studies, 2019, pp. 43–50. Web.
