Desiree’s Baby Reflection

1. Desiree’s Baby Reflection Day 5

2. Free-write What is your overall response to Kate Chopin’s “Desiree’s Baby?” Does it make you think twice about issues such as racism and sexism? How might someone who is like the antagonist, Armand Aubigny, respond to the reading of such a text?

3. Question 1 In a letter to her mother, Desiree writes that she cannot live and that for that reason, she must die. Her statement was obviously charged with emotion, but one may argue whether death was the only option available to Desiree. Write a response in which you explain why you believe Desiree had to die. Alternately, if you believe that Desiree had other options which she simply did not identify or consider, then make that argument. If you choose the latter, be sure to explain how the story would have been different had Desiree lived. I am looking for an intelligent, detailed response that gives textual evidence in support of your answer.

4. Question 1 You tell me the grade! Desiree had so many options! Suicide is not the answer! She should have talked to Armand and worked it out. She should have found an expert psychologist to help her with her problems. Is there an intelligent, detailed response that gives textual evidence in support of the answer?

5. Question 2 Although by the time her vindication(revenge) occurs it is too late, the prejudiced Armand learns that it was his mixed parentage and not that of his wife which produced their mixed-race child whom he despised and rejected. Write a response in which you explain why Armand was so repulsed by his child and his wife. Consider, for example, the idea that prejudice(racism) can be described as a way to make Armand feel better about himself. Explain why it is important that Desiree is vindicated, even though it is too late for her.I am looking for an intelligent, detailed response that gives textual evidence in support of your answer.

6. Question 2You grade it! Armand was disgusted with his wife and child because he believed they belonged to the “race of slavery,” as Armand’s mother would put it. In the reading Armand displays his disgust with the supposed race of his son and wife when he compares his wife to a slave when he says, “As white as La Blanche's," he returned cruelly.” His behavior was cruel once he realized the race of his son. Armand might have been racist because of his pride and ego. The text indicates this when it says, “Moreover he no longer loved her, because of the unconscious injury she had brought upon his home and his name.” He was concerned with his name and his reputation rather than his family.

7. Question 3 Kate Chopin works hard to create a sense of suspense around the revelation of the mystery about the origins of the baby’s strange color. The reader is kept guessing for most of the story, and even when he or she believes that the answer is clear, a twist occurs just as the story ends. Write a response in which you defend or contest Chopin’s particular use of suspense in this story. Analyze whether this technique was effective in maintaining the reader’s interest and developing higher stakes for the outcome. I am looking for an intelligent, detailed response that gives textual evidence in support of your answer.

8. Question 3You grade it! Kate Chopin’s suspense was great! It kept my attention the whole way! I was actually interested in this story the entire time because of Chopin’s use of suspense. I don’t know why anyone would be against the suspense. It makes the story so much more fun and interesting! Suspense is used throughout the whole story which makes it a great story to read and I comprehended it very well because of it. Is there an intelligent, detailed response that gives textual evidence in support of the answer?

9. Question 4 How does Armand Aubigny change throughout the short story? Given this inconsistent behavior, explain why Desiree might love Armand, and explain why Armand is so inconsistent in his emotions and treatment of others. I am looking for an intelligent, detailed response that gives textual evidence in support of your answer.

10. Question 4You grade it! Armand changes in many ways. At first he had met Desiree and fell in love with her. He was happy with her but he must have been abusive or something like that before because as it said in the story as he frowned she trembled. When he found out they were having a child he changed and became happy and he was nice to his slaves and just a wonderful person.. as it seemed. But when the time came he found out his own child had the blood or gene of the race so despised so much he quickly became quiet and angry and he had no problem with sending his child and his wife away after balming her for the mixed baby.

11. Question 5 The three themes of the short story are: Love is colorblind, judging by appearances, and Racism/Gender bias. Which theme do you feel is most important? What scenes in the story led you to believe this was the most important theme? I am looking for an intelligent, detailed response that gives textual evidence in support of your answer.

12. Question 5You grade it! The theme I think is more important in the story is racism/gender bias because that is the main thing that is talked about in the story. Like when husband is being mean to the wife about the baby having black in here he was mad about that so racism is very big in this story. Is there an intelligent, detailed response that gives textual evidence in support of the answer?

13. Question 6 What characterizes the work of American Realism? What makes this short story a Realist work? I am looking for an intelligent, detailed response that gives textual evidence in support of your answer.

14. Question 6You grade it! What makes a short story a Realist work is suspence. When suspence is added it brings realist in the story like when the husband found out that he was black and he blamed his wife so that added realist and suspence.

15. Response Writing In your next assessment where you are required to give an intelligent, detailed response using textual evidence, what adjustments or changes could you make to your writing?