Source: bing.comTable of Contents
Introduction:
If you are a literature student, you must have come across the short story “Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin. The story revolves around a woman named Desiree, who was abandoned as a baby, and Armand, the man who falls in love with her, only to discover that their child is not white. The story touches upon the themes of race, identity, and love. In this article, we will discuss the literary devices that Kate Chopin uses to develop the theme of “Desiree’s Baby.”
Situational Irony:
One of the most prominent literary devices used by Kate Chopin is situational irony. Situational irony occurs when the opposite of what is expected happens. For example, in “Desiree’s Baby,” Armand is the one who has African roots, but he is racist towards his own child, who is of mixed race. This is an example of situational irony because Armand’s behavior is the opposite of what is expected.
Symbols:
Another literary device that Kate Chopin uses in “Desiree’s Baby” is symbols. The most significant symbol in the story is the baby’s skin color. The baby’s skin color represents the racial divide between the white and black people. The whiteness of the baby’s skin is a symbol of purity and innocence, while its dark skin color represents impurity and sin, according to Armand. This symbol is used by Chopin to show how the society at that time viewed people of color.
Imagery:
Kate Chopin also uses imagery to develop the theme of “Desiree’s Baby.” Imagery is the use of words and phrases to create a mental image in the reader’s mind. Chopin uses imagery to describe the setting of the story and the characters. For example, when Desiree first arrives at the plantation, Chopin describes the surroundings as “the thick foliage of the trees that lined the road,” which creates a mental image of a dense forest. This imagery sets the mood of the story and creates a sense of isolation.
Repetition:
Repetition is another literary device that Kate Chopin uses in “Desiree’s Baby.” Repetition occurs when a word or phrase is repeated multiple times in a story. In “Desiree’s Baby,” Chopin repeats the word “whiteness” several times throughout the story, which emphasizes the importance of skin color in the society of that time. The repetition of this word also creates a sense of tension and unease in the reader.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Kate Chopin uses various literary devices to develop the theme of “Desiree’s Baby.” Situational irony, symbols, imagery, and repetition are some of the literary devices that Chopin uses to convey the themes of race, identity, and love. These literary devices make the story more engaging and thought-provoking, and they help the reader to understand the complex issues that Chopin is addressing in the story.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is the theme of “Desiree’s Baby”?
The theme of “Desiree’s Baby” is race, identity, and love.
Q: Who wrote “Desiree’s Baby”?
“Desiree’s Baby” was written by Kate Chopin.
Q: What is situational irony?
Situational irony occurs when the opposite of what is expected happens.
Q: What is a symbol?
A symbol is an object or image that represents an idea or concept.
Q: What is imagery?
Imagery is the use of words and phrases to create a mental image in the reader’s mind.