ENG 1001-06 Home Page Essay 3 Sample

I. Thesis/Interpretation (summed up in a one-sentence thesis statement)

Through the character of Desiree in "Desiree's Baby,” Chopin powerfully illustrates the irony of dependence in a relationship and cautions against over-dependence.

II. Topic Sentence 1 (summing up some major observation about the story that supports the thesis)

Desiree's dependence within her relationships begins even before her marriage.

A. Supporting details from the story and your explanations of how they support your topic sentence.

--Found as a baby
--Completely taken care of by mother, father, servants
--advantages (mutual benefit for everyone)

B. Select quotes from the story to help support your topic sentence.

--She was the "Idol of Valmonde”
--Her mother thought she was "sent to her by . . . Providence”
--Desiree was "beautiful and gentle, affectionate and sincere”

C. Quotations or paraphrases from secondary sources to help support your topic sentence.

--For this essay, add later. Initially focus on your own ideas about the story.

III. Topic Sentence 2 (summing up some major observation about the story that supports the thesis)

Desiree's early dependence set the stage for her destructive dependence on her husband, Armand.

VI. Conclusion (reinforce the interpretation: echo the introduction, summarize analysis, discuss application or importance of the theme)

--Quick summary of observations about Desiree
--Re-emphasize irony (see intro)
--Try to connect to us today
--emphasize the caution (see thesis)

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Kate Chopin’s “Desiree’s Baby” depicts an interesting irony inherent in entering into a significant relationship. For example, in a marriage, when a person commits to another, he or she inevitably gives up autonomy, choosing to depend to some degree on his or her spouse for love, companionship, comfort, and, perhaps, even safety. Without this willing dependency, on the part of both spouses, the relationship will lack emotional depth and meaning and probably will not grow beyond a superficial level. The irony is that while this dependency, if it is mutual, contributes to a healthy relationship, it also makes each individual in the relationship more vulnerable to disillusionment, loneliness, sorrow, and, perhaps, even danger, should the other spouse prove false or fickle. Through the character of Desiree in “Desiree’s Baby,” Chopin powerfully illustrates this irony and thus offers a caution against becoming overly dependent in any relationship.

Desiree’s dependence begins before marriage, in her upbringing in the Valmonde family. Indeed, Desiree’s first appearance at the home of the Valmondes was as a completely helpless, dependent baby, left mysteriously near the plantation gate. As the only child of her wealthy, adoptive parents, Desiree became “the idol of Valmonde.” Given the family’s social status and this unique position within the family, Desiree was undoubtedly pampered by her mother (who believed “Desiree had been sent to her by . . . Providence”), her father (the family head of the plantation of which Desiree was the “idol”), and the servants who would have been at her command in the Valmonde household. Within this loving family, Desiree’s dependency was advantageous to her, as her parents would have seen that her every need (and probably want) was met. In return, she brought the family much joy, as she was “beautiful and gentle, affectionate and sincere.”

Unfortunately for Desiree, her learned dependency on others within her family relationships would set the stage for a destructive dependency on her future fickle husband, Armand. This dependency is clear when. . . .

Through Desiree, Chopin seems to caution not just women, but, indeed, all of us to maintain some degree of autonomy, even within our relationships. Though Desiree’s dependence on Armand was an expression of her love for him, it was also what put her (and her child) at risk for the tragic end that she meets. While mutual dependence is necessary for a healthy relationship, overdependence is not, nor is dependence that is not reciprocated, as it was not for Desiree. The irony of this dynamic is that everyone entering a significant relationship must take the risk that Desiree does. The line between a healthy, mutual dependence and an unhealthy overdependence is a fine one, and, tragically, one that Desiree and many others fail to walk successfully.