Compare and contrast Désirée’s and Armand’s reaction to the baby’s racial status and the consequences of these reactions. Are these reactions similar or different to your current society? Explain.

Initially both are thrilled at the arrival of the baby. The baby's skin begins to darken. Desiree always loves the baby. The incredible fear that Armand harbors about how Desiree is supposedly mixed leads him to think that marrying her, being with her, giving her the attention that he did, and having a child with her has completely tarnished the name of his family and his home. I think this really depends on specific individuals and specific places in the world to really consider the relevance today.