Essay on Formalistic Analysis of Kate Chopins Desirees...

Formalistic Analysis of Dà ©sirà ©e’s Baby The short story â€Å"Dà ©sirà ©e’s Baby† is told by a third person omniscient point of view. The narrator, whose character or relationship to the story never receives any discussion, is a seemingly all-knowing observer of the situation. Although the narrator does not take sides towards issues that arise during the course of the text, her general view does shape the overall characterization of the white Southern society. The text exhibits interesting clues such as word choice, tone and mood, reappearing symbols and references that enrich the story and intensify its underlining message. The choice of French names and words reminds the reader of the stories’ setting and helps create an irony†¦show more content†¦L’Abri means â€Å"shelter† in French. It is ironic how Madame Valmondà © shudders at the sight of it and finds it to be a â€Å"sad looking place†. In the beginning the plantation virtually becomes a place of harmony and goodness since it is the home of Dà ©sirà ©e and her joy. As the plot advances, however, this previously mentioned grimness begins to break through, until the young mother is forced to leave the plantation. Armands’ prestigious estate therefore proves to be less than a shelter for his sensitive and gentle wife. The tone and mood created throughout the text and its drastic shift greatly affect the readers’ feelings on the situation. The first couple of paragraphs depict the newlyweds as a happy couple, filled with the joy of the birth of their son. As Dà ©sirà ©e’s mother visits her daughter appears to be overfilled with happiness. The descriptive details that first introduce the reader to Dà ©sirà ©e make the young woman and her surroundings appear overly idyllic. She enthusiastically tells about her husband and it becomes evident that her life revolves around him and his well being. The narrator further mentions that young Armand’s roughness had been softened by the presence of his loving wife and son. The overall mood created throughout the first part of the story is one of joy and harmony. This clashes with the atmosphere created by the description of the latter part of the story. Almost instantaneously