What Does Armand Do After Desiree And The Baby Leave

What Does Armand Do After Desiree and the Baby Leave?

The story of Armand and Desiree, rooted in themes of racial identity, love, and societal prejudice, reaches a heart-wrenching climax when Desiree and their child are forced to leave. While Kate Chopin’s short story Desiree’s Baby ends ambiguously, the question of Armand’s actions—and his emotional and psychological state—invites deeper exploration. But what happens to Armand in the aftermath? This article breaks down the possible trajectories of Armand’s life post-departure, analyzing his character, societal pressures, and the lingering consequences of his choices.

The Context: A Love Tested by Prejudice

In Chopin’s narrative, Armand Aubigny is a wealthy Louisiana plantation owner who marries Desiree, a woman of unknown origins. Their love seems idyllic until their child’s birth reveals traces of African ancestry, shattering Armand’s belief in his family’s “pure” whiteness. Horrified, Armand accuses Desiree of deceit and sends her—and the baby—away. The story ends with Armand’s abrupt departure from public life, leaving readers to speculate about his fate.

Step 1: Armand’s Immediate Reaction: Denial and Isolation

Upon learning of his child’s mixed heritage, Armand’s pride and fear of social stigma overwhelm him. His first reaction is to reject Desiree and their son, a decision driven by his need to protect his reputation and the rigid racial hierarchies of the antebellum South.

• He withdraws from society: Armand retreats to his plantation, La Lisonne, avoiding neighbors, friends, and even his mother. His once-vibrant presence fades, replaced by a ghostly silence.
• He destroys symbols of his past: In a fit of anguish, he burns letters, photographs, and mementos tied to Desiree, erasing any trace of their relationship.
• He adopts a colder demeanor: His interactions with enslaved people grow harsher, reflecting his internal turmoil and desire to distance himself from “tainted” bloodlines.

This isolation mirrors Armand’s psychological unraveling. His identity, built on whiteness and social standing, crumbles, leaving him adrift in a world that once defined him.

Step 2: The Long-Term Consequences: Guilt and Existential Crisis

Armand’s actions set off a chain reaction of guilt and self-loathing. Though the story ends before we see his full transformation, literary analysis and psychological frameworks suggest the following:

1. A Descent into Melancholy

Armand’s pride, once his defining trait, becomes a prison. He may:

• Avoid human connection: Fearful of judgment, he isolates himself further, refusing to remarry or form new relationships.
• Haunted by the past: Flashbacks of Desiree’s tearful farewell and their child’s innocent smile torment him, fueling a sense of irredeemable failure.
• Question his identity: The revelation that his own ancestry might be mixed (hinted at in the story’s final lines) could deepen his crisis, forcing him to confront hypocrisy.

2. Physical and Mental Health Decline

Prolonged stress and guilt could manifest physically:

• Illness: Chronic stress might lead to ailments like insomnia, weight loss, or even heart failure.
• Addiction: Some interpretations suggest Armand turns to alcohol or other vices to numb his pain.

3. Societal Rejection

Though Armand withdraws, the community’s whispers follow him. Former allies may avoid him, fearing association with his “scandal.” His wealth and land remain, but his humanity is diminished.

Scientific Explanation: Psychology of Shame and Identity

Armand’s story aligns with psychological theories on shame and identity fragmentation.

1. Internalized Shame

When societal norms (like racial purity) are violated, individuals often internalize shame. Armand

– He adopts a colder demeanor: His interactions with enslaved people grow harsher, reflecting his internal turmoil and desire to distance himself from “tainted” bloodlines.

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This isolation mirrors Armand’s psychological unraveling. His identity, built on whiteness and social standing, crumbles, leaving him adrift in a world that once defined him.

Step 2: The Long-Term Consequences: Guilt and Existential Crisis

Armand’s actions set off a chain reaction of guilt and self-loathing. Though the story ends before we see his full transformation, literary analysis and psychological frameworks suggest the following:

1. A Descent into Melancholy

Armand’s pride, once his defining trait, becomes a prison. He may:

• Avoid human connection: Fearful of judgment, he isolates himself further, refusing to remarry or form new relationships.
• Haunted by the past: Flashbacks of Desiree’s tearful farewell and their child’s innocent smile torment him, fueling a sense of irredeemable failure.
• Question his identity: The revelation that his own ancestry might be mixed (hinted at in the story’s final lines) could deepen his crisis, forcing him to confront hypocrisy.

2. Physical and Mental Health Decline

Prolonged stress and guilt could manifest physically:

• Illness: Chronic stress might lead to ailments like insomnia, weight loss, or even heart failure.
• Addiction: Some interpretations suggest Armand turns to alcohol or other vices to numb his pain.

3. Societal Rejection

Though Armand withdraws, the community’s whispers follow him. Former allies may avoid him, fearing association with his “scandal.” His wealth and land remain, but his humanity is diminished.

Scientific Explanation: Psychology of Shame and Identity

Armand’s story aligns with psychological theories on shame and identity fragmentation.

1. Internalized Shame

When societal norms (like racial purity) are violated, individuals often internalize shame. Armand experiences this acutely. The knowledge of his potential mixed heritage directly contradicts the rigid racial ideology he’s spent his life upholding. This creates a profound dissonance, a feeling of being fundamentally flawed and unworthy – a core component of internalized shame. This shame isn’t simply embarrassment; it’s a deep-seated conviction of personal inadequacy rooted in external judgment.

2. Identity Crisis and Fragmentation

Armand’s carefully constructed identity – one predicated on inherited wealth, social status, and a belief in his superior racial standing – is shattered. The revelation of his possible African ancestry dismantles this edifice, leaving him with a fragmented sense of self. He’s no longer able to confidently claim a singular, defined identity. This is a classic manifestation of an identity crisis, a period of intense self-doubt and uncertainty as an individual struggles to reconcile conflicting aspects of their being.

3. Defensive Mechanisms

Armand’s extreme reactions – the destruction of mementos, the harsh treatment of slaves, and his self-imposed isolation – can be interpreted as defensive mechanisms. He’s attempting to regain control by suppressing painful memories and distancing himself from anything that reminds him of his perceived failure. These behaviors, while destructive, are a common response to overwhelming shame and the threat to one’s self-image.

Conclusion “The Leopard” doesn’t offer a neat resolution. Instead, it presents a chilling portrait of a man consumed by shame and the desperate, ultimately futile, attempts to maintain a facade of superiority. Armand’s fate serves as a stark warning about the corrosive effects of rigid social hierarchies, the dangers of internalized prejudice, and the devastating consequences of clinging to a false sense of identity. His story remains relevant today, prompting us to examine the enduring power of shame and the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths about our own biases and the systems that perpetuate inequality. When all is said and done, “The Leopard” is a tragedy not just for Desiree and her child, but for Armand himself – a man tragically lost to the weight of his own constructed world.