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2: Desiree's Baby-- Timed Argument

  • Page ID
    293435
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    This essay will be a timed argument in response to a short story "Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin. This activity will help students practice the skills of brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing in a timed environment to prepare them for the end of semester Exit Exam.

    "Desiree's Baby" is a story examining anxieties and conflict around racial identity in the early 20th century. The titular character, adopted as a foundling child, has recently given birth. A story that starts out with a romantic view of Desiree's marriage and the birth of her child darkens as her mother, her husband, and herself begin to suspect that her child's skin hints at Black ancestry. This emotional conflict, played out through dramatic dialogue and description, reaches a crescendo and shocking conclusion. The story's themes explore not only racial identity, but the "responsibility" of reproduction placed on women in the early 20th century.

    • 2.1: Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin-- Reading
      "Desiree's Baby" is a story examining anxieties and conflict around racial identity in the early 20th century. The titular character, adopted as a foundling child, has recently given birth. A story that starts out with a romantic view of Desiree's marriage and the birth of her child darkens as her mother, her husband, and herself begin to suspect that her child's skin hints at Black ancestry. This emotional conflict, played out through dramatic dialogue and description, reaches a crescendo and s
    • 2.2: Desiree's Baby-- Classroom Activity
      This in-class activity helps students think through the themes of "Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin with short writing prompts to prepare for a discussion about the overall themes of the short story.
    • 2.3: Desiree's Baby-- Assignment
      This assignment description explains the writing task for "Desiree's Baby"-- a timed essay responding to a single prompt provided in the description.


    This page titled 2: Desiree's Baby-- Timed Argument is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Alisa Allkins.