“DESIREE'S BABY”

By Kate Chopin

Writing captured

essence of life in

Louisiana

Themes of her

writing: nature of

marriage, racial

prejudice, and

women’s desire for

equality

LIT. TERMS

Situational Irony- occurs when the outcome of

an action or

situation is very different from what one expects

• Ex. Finding out that the helpful child psychiatrist is actually a ghost at the end of The Sixth Sense! Totally unexpected!

LIT. TERMS

Regionalism depicts and analyzes the

unique qualities of a geographical area

and its people

Local color- captures the attitudes or

customs of a geographical area

PRE-READING

Decide whether you think each statement is true or false.

1. Men’s thoughts and decisions are more valid than women’s.

2. Mothers love their children more than fathers do.

3. It is okay to judge people by their outward actions.

4. It is okay to judge people by their physical appearance and/or

skin color.

5. People of biracial or multiracial heritage must choose which

race to be a part of.

DURING-READING

Complete the Thinking Plot Diagram as you read

this story

POST-READINGQuestions:• How is the story an example of

Regionalism?• What are some examples of local

color in the story?• What is the situational irony of the

story?• How does the theme of racial

prejudice play a role in the story? • Did any of your opinions from the pre-

reading change? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?