DESIREE'S BABY
- Why was Armand's rule over the slaves a strict one? How had his father treated their slaves?
- Why would it matter that Desiree's background was unknown?
- Why did Madame Valmonde look at the child in the best light available? Why did she focus her look at Zandrine?
- Explain why Chopin uses the word "her" in this line:
"He absented himself from home; and when there, avoided her presence and that of her child, without excuse." - How did Desiree feel about slavery? About the way Armand treated the slaves? What makes you think this?
- "One of La Blanche's little quadroon boys--half naked too--stood fanning the child slowly with a fan of peacock feathers." From this, what do you deduce that La Blanche is?
- "A quick conception of all this accusation meant for her..." What do you think it meant? Why was it important?
- Why didn't Desiree go back to Valmonde? Why does she accept her fate without fighting? What does that tell you about her role as a woman, and her place in society?
- What would be the consequences to Armand and the plantation if it were found that he had African ancestry?
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