Quiz 1
Reading Quiz 1: “Desiree’s Baby” & “Revelation”
Respond to three of the five questions. Each question is worth 3 and 1/3 points for a total of 10 points. All responses should be written in complete sentences. You will be graded on both the content of your answers as well as your ability to write error free and incorporate quotes, paraphrases and examples from the texts.
- Please identify the major plot elements of “Desiree’s Baby” and discuss how these individual elements come together to create the overall effect of the story.
- From what perspective is “Desiree’s Baby” told? Citing specific passages or examples, explain how the story would change if told from Armand’s perspective.
The perspective in this story seems to be non-participant narrative and the view is objective –simply telling the events like an outside reporter.
I think a lot could have been added to the story if it had been told from Armand’s perspective—how he fell in love so suddenly, (what accounted for this since has seen Desiree since he was eight) the joy he felt at becoming a father, the ‘betrayal’ he must have felt when he discovered what his child was, and finally the ultimate discovery that it was he, not Desiree that had mixed blood. (Karma) As the reader, we can only speculate on what Armand was feeling, and how quickly his love faded to cold cruelty. I thought it ironic that in the beginning before the wedding Madame Valmonde wanted Desiree’s “obscure origins” considered, but Armand didn’t care because he loved her so much, yet later you get the feeling that had he known what he thought he now ‘knew’ (that Desiree is a quadroon) he wouldn’t have married her. I really wish this story had continued on to show what happened after Armand discovered his mother’s letter. Would he have swallowed his pride and looked for his wife and child, or let everyone, including Desiree, think that she wasn’t full blooded to save himself? Personally I think he would have saved himself, but it would have been nice to have a definitive answer anyway.
- What is the moment of crisis in “Revelation”? How did you know?
I believe that the crisis in this short story was when Mary Grace attacked Ruby and called her an “old wart hog” from Hell. Without this scene, Ruby Turpin would still be in her little bubble of labeling people and believing that she is somehow above many in the world because she is white, owns land, goes to church regularly, and does good deeds of charity. This crisis leads her to question everything, mainly why was she attacked and not someone less important or good, and leads to her demanding that God answer why she was called a wart hog from Hell, and ultimately leads to her vision of the souls bound for Heaven.
- How did you interpret the final scene of “Revelation”? In other words, what is the conclusion; what do you think Flannery O’Connor wants readers to take away from the story?
I interpreted the final scene as Mrs. Turpin’s ‘epiphany’; that even though she was white and owned land, she was no ‘more’ saved then the ‘niggers’ or ‘white trash’. In fact, she was suffering from what some would call the greatest sin, that of pride. The order in which she classified people was reversed in her vision, (the last shall be first and the first shall be last) and the people like herself at the end of the procession had their “virtues being burned away.” Death is a great equalizer.
- What would you cite as a significant similarity between “Desiree’s Baby” and “Revelation”? Provide quotes, paraphrases or examples to support your answer.
Beth's Blog 