Formalist Analysis of Désirée's BabyThe short story “Desiree's Baby” is told from the omniscient point of view of a third person. The narrator, whose character or relationship to the story is never discussed, is a seemingly omniscient observer of the situation. Although the narrator does not take sides on the issues that arise during the text, her general point of view shapes the overall characterization of white Southern society. The text presents interesting cues such as word choice, tone and mood, with reappearing symbols and references that enrich the story and intensify its underlying message. The choice of French names and words reminds the reader of the setting of the story and helps create an irony that is echoed throughout the text. Before the narrator explains the use of the French language and the origin of the colonists, it becomes apparent that the characters under discussion are of French origin. Names and words such as "Madame Valmondé" and "Coton Mais" reveal part of Louisiana's history in developing the setting of "Désirée's Baby." The French word "corbeille" also appears several times in the story and represents the English word corbeil, which is a carved basket-shaped ornament that Armand buys for his lady before he can marry her. Such reverences reveal the traditional practices and expectations of early settlers in colonial Louisiana. Another interesting aspect of the French influence on the short story is the way certain people are named. “La Blanche”, a neighbor of the Aubignys, is a mulatto whose children in the quadroon are despised for their darker skin. "La Blanche" ironically means "the White" and as Armand falsely accuses his wife of being of black origin...... middle of paper ......yeah. The short story “Désirée’s Baby” is physically divided into two episodes. The first, and longest, discusses the setting and everything else up to the point where she leaves her husband. The second episode being the scene of the bonfire where Armand enlightens himself about his heritage. The first episode is therefore the story of young Désirée and her fight. While what follows focuses on her husband and how he will have to come to terms with his new reality. The ending does not reveal whether the young couple has a future or even hints at Armand's immediate reaction. In any case, he will have to overcome his racial hatred and reconcile with his ancestry. Recognizing the different parts, analyzing the images and noting recurring references, word choice and shift in tone can provide insight into the artistic nature of a literary work..