Question

Kate Chopin, "Desiree's Baby" – Which of the following items was/were not burned at the end of the story in Armand's bonfire?

1) The corbeille that Armand had ordered for Désirée from Paris was not burned.
2) Letters that Désirée had sent Armand before they married were not burned.
3) The cradle and the blankets that Désirée's baby slept in were not burned.
4) A letter from Madame Valmondé attesting to Désirée's lineage was not burned.

Answer 1

At the end of 'Desiree's Baby' by Kate Chopin, it was 4) a letter from Madame Valmondé attesting to Désirée's lineage that was not burned in Armand's bonfire. This letter revealed the true origin of Armand's heritage.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Kate Chopin's "Desiree's Baby," many items were burned by Armand in his bonfire at the end, however, there were some things that were notably spared from the flames. Specifically:

1. The corbeille that Armand had ordered for Désirée from Paris was not mentioned as being burned.
2. Letters that Désirée had sent Armand before they were married were burned, as Armand conducted a thorough burning of all things related to Désirée and their child.
3. The cradle and the blankets that Désirée's baby slept in were burned.
4. A letter from Madame Valmondé attesting to Désirée's lineage was found, but not burned; it was actually discovered afterwards in a drawer by Armand, revealing the twist that it was he who was of mixed race, not Désirée.

From the items presented in the question, the fourth option is correct: A letter from Madame Valmondé attesting to Désirée's lineage was not burned in Armand's bonfire at the end of the story.