Podcast
Questions and Answers
Match the character with their role in 'Désirée's Baby':
Match the character with their role in 'Désirée's Baby':
Désirée = Adopted daughter and mother, believed to be of mixed race Armand Aubigny = Proud, moody husband and plantation owner Madame Valmondé = Désirée's loving mother Monsieur Valmondé = Désirée's adoptive father
Match the character with their actions or relationships:
Match the character with their actions or relationships:
Armand Aubigny = Rejects his wife and child upon suspecting mixed heritage Désirée = Drowns herself and her baby Armand's mother = Wife of Armand's father and of mixed race Armand's father = Married Armand's mother in Paris
Match the character with their place of residence or association:
Match the character with their place of residence or association:
Désirée = L'Abri plantation initially, then Valmondé plantation Madame Valmondé = Valmondé plantation Armand Aubigny = L'Abri plantation La Blanche = L'Abri plantation
Match the character with their impact on the story
Match the character with their impact on the story
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Match the character with a key description or trait:
Match the character with a key description or trait:
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Study Notes
Characters and Relationships
- Désirée Aubigny: Adopted daughter of Monsieur and Madame Valmondé, wife of Armand Aubigny, and mother of a baby boy. Innocent and tragically affected by a misunderstanding regarding racial heritage.
- Armand Aubigny: Owner of L'Abri plantation, husband of Désirée. Initially proud and rejecting, later deeply affected by the truth about his heritage. Presumably has a son by La Blanche.
- Madame Valmondé: Désirée's devoted mother and mistress of Valmondé plantation. Recognizes the truth about Désirée's and Armand's son's mixed heritage before Désirée.
- Monsieur Valmondé: Désirée's father and owner of Valmondé plantation. Adopts Désirée and advocates for her well-being.
- Armand's Father: Prior owner of L'Abri, married Armand's mother in Paris, and initially a lenient plantation owner.
- Armand's Mother: Black woman who met and married Armand's father in Paris. Her letter reveals Armand's mixed heritage.
- Unborn Son: Armand's child, initially source of pride, later shame. Unnamed and outcast due to perceived mixed heritage.
- Zandrine: Enslaved nurse and caretaker of the Aubigny son.
- La Blanche: Light-skinned Black woman. Implied to have had a relationship with Armand, resulting in an enslaved child.
- Enslaved Child: The child of La Blanche, likely a half-brother to Désirée's son. His features/color alert Désirée to the fact that her baby is also of mixed race.
Plot Summary
- Désirée's tragic death and suicide is directly connected to a mistaken belief about her mixed racial heritage.
- Armand Aubigny's reaction to this misunderstanding culminates in the rejection of his wife and son, despite their inherent worth.
- The story highlights the devastating social implications of racial prejudice and ignorance in a plantation society.
- A hidden letter reveals Armand's own mixed racial heritage.
- The fate of Armand's illegitimate son (by La Blanche) is interwoven with the story.
Themes
- The damaging impact of racial prejudice and societal perceptions.
- The struggles of those wrongly perceived as having mixed racial heritage.
- The hypocrisy and injustice inherent in the societal norms surrounding race and class on the plantation.
- The devastating consequences of mistaken beliefs and societal pressures.
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Description
Explore the intricate relationships and backgrounds of the characters in Kate Chopin's short story 'Désirée's Baby.' This quiz will test your understanding of Désirée, Armand, and their families, focusing on themes of identity and heritage. Delve into the significant events that shape their fates and the social commentary of the time.
