How Does Kate Chopin Use Foreshadowing In Desiree's Baby

Judgment; it’s something all humans fear. People fear judgment of race, intelligence, appearance, or religion. In Kate Chopin’s short story “Desiree's Baby,” race is something people look down upon. Desiree gets accused of being black and not white, which is shown through Desiree and Armand’s child. The child’s appearance causes conflict between Desiree and Armand, and leds to Desiree leaving him. Kate Chopin uses foreshadowing and imagery to demonstrate how even the darkest secrets a person holds, will eventually be revealed.

Foreshadowing proves how the truth will always come out. Desiree, the wife of Armand and mother of a child feels a “disquieting suggestion” that “[menaces] her peace.” (2) Because of what Desiree’s other, Madame Valmonde, says about her child. She begins to believe what her mother told her. The information troubled her for days, but as time passes, she feels the discomfort growing. One day while with

Madame Valmonde plans to visit Desiree and her child, who she hasn’t seen in four weeks. When Madame Valmonde arrives to see the child, she is “astonished” at what she sees. She doesn’t seem to recognize the child as she exclaims “This is not the baby!” (1) Madame Valmonde’s description of the child is enhanced when Desiree talks about the way “he [the child] has grown...and the way he cries.” (1-2) Madame Valmonde’s thoughts of the child troubles Desiree, and when Armand figures out what is happening, he exclaims “that the child is not white” and immediately after he indicates to Desiree that “you are not white.” (3) Desiree is appalled at what she is hearing and defends herself by signifying to Armand, “Look at my hand; whiter than yours.”(3) Skeptical of Desiree’s claim he leaves. Desiree, in disbelief, writes a letter to her mother and explains what is happening. She leaves to her and once she is gone, Armand discovers the truth about their child’s