Question

What happens to Désirée after she obtains Armand's permission for herself and the baby to live with the Valmondés again?

1) Désirée leaves for some weeks but Armand eventually apologizes.
2) Armand calls Désirée back before she leaves and they are reconciled.
3) Désirée disappears into the reeds bordering the bayou.
4) Désirée returns to the Valmondés and Armand does not see her again.

Answer 1

In Kate Chopin's 'Désirée's Baby,' after being rejected by her husband because of their baby's mixed race, Désirée disappears into the reeds bordering the bayou, implying she has drowned herself and the child. The correct option is 3) Désirée disappears into the reeds bordering the bayou.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question deals with the fate of Désirée after she leaves her husband Armand's home with her baby in Kate Chopin's short story “Désirée's Baby”.

After learning of the baby's mixed race and Désirée's unknown heritage, Armand blames her for the baby's appearance, leading Désirée to seek refuge with her adoptive parents, the Valmondés.

However, the story tragically concludes with Désirée disappearing into the reeds bordering the bayou, with the implication that she has drowned herself and the child. This ending indicates the third option as the correct answer: 3) Désirée disappears into the reeds bordering the bayou.

Armand's actions and the societal implications of race and heritage are central to the heartbreaking and shocking climax. The correct option is 3) Désirée disappears into the reeds bordering the bayou.