1a. After analyzing the story, look back at its title.

Why does the title only refer to the baby as being

Désirée’s?

The story explores themes of racial and social identity, the title intentionally centers on the baby
being Désirée’s because the narrative revolves around finding the baby’s roots and her identity and
background become central to the unfolding plot. Also, Armand denied the baby as his when he told
Désirée and the baby to leave which led Chopin to declare the baby’s only parent was Désirée.

1b. What do you think the author tries to achieve with this?

The author uses the title to create a sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding the baby’s identity by
only naming him Désirée’s. Also, Chopin uses the title as foreshadowing because by emphasizing
Désirée’s connection to the baby, readers anticipate a reveal that will impact the characters and the
story. So, the title sets the stage for a plot twist or revelation regarding the baby's parentage . The
title also incites the readers to question themselves about the baby’s origins and why the author
only named the baby as Désirée’s. These questions also incite the reader to keep reading because he
wants to know the answer.

2. Why do you think Chopin, toward the end of the tory, explains Désirée’s journey in great detail,
and yet does not specifically state her ultimate fate?

In my opinion, Chopin chose not to state her fate to let the readers make their interpretation of the
ending. This open-ended conclusion makes the readers question the ending creating a deeper
connection to the story and its themes. Consequently, by not explicitly stating Désirée's fate, Chopin
creates a sense of suspense and ambiguity. Also, Désirée’s final walk demonstrates her internal
struggles regarding societal prejudices and leaving her fate to interpretation makes the reader
question these prejudices and connect deeper to the story.

2b. Could this walk symbolize something else?

Not only does the walk symbolize Désirée walking in a quest to search for her own identity or even
leaving the blame and the accusations of her baby’s origins behind, but Désirée walking away from
the plantation could also mean that she is walking away from the norms and the prejudices of her
era. Walking away could represent her search for freedom and escape from these expectations and
prejudices. The walk could also symbolize Désirée is leaving this life, mirroring the emotional and
social consequences of the revelations about her child.

3. Madame Valmondé knew, upon seeing the child early on, that he was not white. She was also
aware this could cause her daughter trouble. In her letter, she does not offer any advice or
consolation but only incites her daughter to return home.
3a. Does she bear any responsibility in the outcome of Désirée’s and her baby?

In my opinion, yes Madame Valmondé should have informed Désirée about how serious the
situation was instead of keeping it for herself. Désirée was blinded by love to the fact that her baby
was black and did not seem to comprehend the serious matter of that information concerning her
future. While her intentions may have been to shield Désirée from potential distress, the lack of
transparency has consequences later in the story. In the letter, Madame Valmondé only encourages
her daughter to return home, without offering her any kind of help or advice which did not help her
at all.

3b. Why do you think Madame Valmondé acts the way she does.

In my opinion, Madame Valmondé had good intentions regarding Désirée’s situation. She only
wanted to protect her daughter from all the prejudices and the norms of their society regarding
race. Also, Désirée loved her child more than anything in the world and her mother simply didn’t
want to be the one to deliver her this sad news. Indeed, she may think this information would cause
her pain and distress, so she tried to help her without alarming her about the situation. She told her
to come to her house with the baby without any further explanation. Without knowing she
contributed to her daughter’s fate because Désirée went to ask Armand if he wanted her and her
baby to leave to which he responded yes. Devastated, Désirée left the plantation one last time with
her child. In summary, Madame Valmondé did not have any bad intentions regarding her daughter
and grandchild, she tried to help without causing any trauma, but it didn’t work in the end.

4a. Do you think Armand knew about his origins?

In my opinion, Armand knew about his origins. He became more and more distant as if he knew
what he was doing and that it was organized. His reaction seemed planned and gave signs that
Armand knew about his origins all along. A lot of evidence from the text can somewhat leave the
readers to think that Armand knew about his origins.

4b.Provide evidence from the text to support your opinion.

A lot of evidence from the text suggests that Armand knew about his origins. In fact, toward the end
of the story, Armand discovers Désirée's letters and burns them. The act of destroying the letters
may indicate an attempt to erase any evidence of Désirée and the baby, which leads us to think
Armand knew about his family’s roots. Also, the fact that Madame Valmondé didn’t alarm Désirée
about the situation even raises doubts about her knowing Armand’s family’s origins. Additionally, his
extreme reaction to the baby’s origins can be interpreted as his denial or his unwillingness to accept
the truth of his origins.

5. Chopin does not clearly state whether or not Armand had some knowledge of his lineage prior to
disclosing the contents of the letter in the end of the story.
5a. If you theorize that he was unaware of this information, and consider his position, the time
period, and the culture he was raised in, does this cause you to sympathize with the antagonist?

Yes, I would sympathize with him because, after all, it was his wife and his child that he blamed to
death. Even if, given the period’s norms and prejudices the situation was non-acceptable, he would
still feel an enormous amount of pain realizing that he is the reason for his family’s fate. Still, raised
with the expectations of the state of Louisiana at that period, it would have been an enormous shock
for him to learn his family was connected to the other race. He would feel ashamed and alienated
from his own identity. So, If he were to be unaware of this information, yes I would sympathize with
him.

5b. Do you think it likely he would have acted differently if he had had this information before?
Why?

In my opinion, yes and it may not have been in a good way because if he had known his racial
background, not only would he have struggled with his family’s identity but his own. He would have
fought not to let anything hurt his reputation and his family’s. However, it is his family after all, so if
he had known his family’s background, he could have found a way to fight these norms to protect his
family. Also, I think he would have been more understanding because he would accept the child as
his, no matter the prejudices. In brief, yes, Armand would have acted differently if he had known this
information before, but not necessarily in a good way, considering his strong temperament and the
period’s norms and prejudices.