The action takes place in the United States in the mid-nineteenth century on two Louisiana plantations, one called Valmonde, a family name, and the other called L'Abri (French for shelter). The story begins in the warm-weather months and ends in autumn. .
Characters.
Desiree: A young woman described by the narrator as "beautiful and gentle, affectionate and sincere." When she was a very.
small child of "toddling age." Narrator says, "she was abandoned in front of a plantation home." Its owners adopted her. .
Armand Aubigny: Young man who inherited his father's plantation, L'Abri. After he marries Desiree, they live at L'Abri.
The Baby: Male child of Armand and Desiree - notices several months after his birth that his physical characteristics are those .
of a person of mixed racial ancestry.
Monsieur and Madame Valmonde: Childless husband and wife who found Desiree when she was a baby. After adopting her, .
they lovingly reared her. .
La Blanche: Female slave of mixed ancestry.
Zandrine: Female slave who helps Desiree care for her child.
Negrillon: Male slave who pretends to have suffered a leg burn in order to be excused from work.
Deceased Parents of Armand Aubigny: They lived in Paris with Armand until Madame Aubigny died. Armand was eight years.
old at the time. His father then brought the boy to Louisiana. Armand inherited L'Abri.
after Monsieur Aubigny died.
Neighbors Who Visit L'Abri.
Point of View.
Kate Chopin presents "Desiree's Baby" in an omniscient third-person point of view; meaning that the narrator not only describes events as they unfold but also reveals the thoughts of the characters from time to time, as in this sentence: "When the baby was about three months old, Desiree awoke one day to the conviction that there was something in the air menacing her peace.
