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"Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin makes what point about humanity? Kate Chopin explains that humanity is a cruel and very condescending. In the story, Desiree feels guilt and eventually commits suicide over somthing she didn't do. This also makes the statement that society holds a lot of power over people. In a way, the entire conflict of having a black baby is that society will look down on them. "Desiree's Baby" is a very misanthropic story that embodies the negative aspects of humanity such as: racism, pride, and arrogance.

Erica's Response: I think Chopin points out that humanity is always desiring for approval from the ones they love and society around them. It's sad that disapproval can cause so much pain in a person like Desiree who's constantly trying to satisfy Armand.

9. How does the fire escape a symbol that reveals something about Amanda's personality? The fire escape is a symbol of the escape from reality or escape from this lifstyle. The apartment is a symbol of reality and their current life. In Amanda's case, she herself does not desire to escape because she is always living in the past by talking about her youth and her husband. She steps out on the fire escape twice and talks about her children's future with them. She talks to them on the fire escape because she is telling them to escape thier current life. This explains to us that her escape is to allow her children to escape and lead good lives. ** I agree with this response, but I also do think it reveals that Amanda is having a lot of problems with her life and that she is contantly worried. **Tyler McCarthy **
 * Brad: Look at how the description of the fire escape in the intro?uction to scene one. It gives a really great insight. Use DQs from that scene. What is the apartment a symbol of? Why does she have to go on the fire escape to talk about the future? Mrs. S

I agree with this response because she is always worrying about her children’s future and her past. **Josh Spence** I agree brad. The fire escape is like the future and she talks about what is to come of Laura and how she has no education and gentlemen callers to take care of her when she is older. – Hunter S.

KH: I agree. I think that the fire escape is like the scapegoat for her life. She uses everyone to place her blame on. She thinks that by trying to control Tom’s life, she will make it better, and she will lead him off of the path of his father. She chooses to take her anger and frustrations about her husband out on her children, but mostly Tom. She is stuck in the past, and can’t get over her husband leaving her and the choices that she made in the past. She blames her past on her children just by treating them like they had something to do with it.

I am Holden

Son of disappointed parents Brother of aspiring siblings Who needs comfort, independence, and acceptance Who loves cigarettes, sister, and childhood Who sees the flaws in the world, the true side of people, and people’s opinion as everything Who hates conformity, growing up, and “phonies” Who fears showing emotion, commitment, and failure Who dreams of leaving New York, of starting a new life, being alone Who wonders about my future, where ducks go in the winter, about my school Resident of his own conscience

Caulfield