Desiree's Baby

M. Valmonde is concerned about Desiree’s “obscure origins” and Armand has “one of the oldest and proudest” names in Louisiana. What do these facts tell you about the values of the society?

• Families are close and do not like to be separated.
• A person’s status in society is based on the family’s reputation.
• The society values helping others regardless of family background.
• Women in the society tended to marry for money and social position.

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How does Armand change after the birth of the child?

• a.  He has been kinder to the slaves on the plantation.
• a.  He has frowned more often, often disfiguring his face.
• He has indicated that he wishes the baby had been a girl.
• a.  He has punished certain slaves, such as Negrillon, more frequently.

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As Desiree looks from her baby to the “little quadroon boy,” what does she realize?

• a.  The “little quadroon boy” looks like her husband.
• a.  Her child’s skin color is similar to the “little quadroon boy.”
• The “little quadroon boy” has harmed her baby.
• Both she and her child have skin the color of the “little quadroon boy.”.

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What can you infer happens to Desiree?

•  She returns to her mother at Valmonde.
• She goes to a cabin on the plantation and she and her child live as slaves
• She hides her baby in the bayou and returns to L’Abri.
• She and her baby die.

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Which characters in the story do not give or revoke love based on skin color or race?

I.  Desiree  II. Madame Valmonde  III. Armand  IV. Armand’s father, M. Aubigney

• I and II only
• I and IV only
• I, II, and III only
• I, II, and IV only

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An irony revealed at the end of the story is that

• Armand and Desiree have the same mother.
• Armand pretended not to care about Desiree's background but then used it as an excuse to leave her when he no longer loved her.
• Armand can only love Desiree if she is white, but then find out that he is not white.
• Armand realizes that the baby is not actually his child.

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