Armand Aubigny
In Kate Chopin’s “Désirée’s Baby,” the action of the story is driven by the character of Armand Aubigny, the plantation owner who marries Désirée, a woman of unknown origin. Armand is initially depicted as a caring and loving husband. Still, his personality takes a drastic turn after the birth of their child. He becomes angry and abusive, ultimately leading to the tragic conclusion of the story.
Armand’s personality is crucial in shaping the story’s action. His desire for social status and reputation as a white, wealthy plantation owner leads him to reject Désirée and their child when he discovers that the child appears to have African ancestry. Armand’s racism and intolerance are evident in his actions and language, as he burns Désirée’s possessions and banishes her and the child from the plantation.
One can see the effect of Armand’s personality throughout the story. Such an action of the plot can be noted in the following quote: “The passion that awoke in him that day, when he saw her at the gate, swept along like an avalanche, or like a prairie fire, or like anything that drives headlong over all obstacles” (Chopin 1). Here, the language of the quote suggests the uncontrollable nature of Armand’s emotions and his tendency to act impulsively without regard for the consequences.
Furthermore, Armand’s personality traits are reflected in his treatment of Désirée and their child. He tries to ignore Désirée’s presence, indicating a lack of empathy and understanding. This is evident in his encounter with Désirée: “He coldly but gently loosened her fingers from about his arm and thrust the hand away from him” (Chopin 2). This quote illustrates how Armand’s personality traits of blame shifting and deflection are central to the story’s action.
Tessie Hutchinson
In Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery,” the character of Tessie Hutchinson is central to the story’s action. The story centers around a small town’s annual lottery. One resident of the town is selected to be stoned to death. Tessie is initially depicted as a cheerful and carefree participant in the lottery, but her personality undergoes a drastic transformation after her family is selected for stoning.
Tessie’s personality plays a crucial role in shaping the story’s action. Her initial enthusiasm for the lottery suggests a lack of critical thinking skills and an uncritical acceptance of tradition. However, when her family is selected for the stoning, Tessie becomes defensive and accusatory. She turns on her fellow townspeople, suggesting that the lottery is unfair and should be stopped. This outburst ultimately leads to her stoning.
One can see the effect of Tessie’s personality on the action of the story in the following quote: “It is not fair, it is not right,” Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her” (Jackson 7). This quote shows how Tessie’s personality of defiance and non-conformity leads to her being singled out for punishment. Tessie’s core personality flaws—specifically her tendency to shift blame and criticize—are evident in how she treats her family and neighbors.
Her quick finger-pointing demonstrates an apparent lack of empathy and understanding. She is unwilling to accept responsibility for her own fate, instead deflecting the consequences of her actions by blaming the lottery and the townspeople. This is highlighted by her outburst, where she declares the lottery unfair, confirming that her blame-shifting and deflection are central driving forces in the story’s narrative.
Works Cited
Chopin, Kate. Desiree’s Baby. Vogue, 1893, pp. 1-2.
Jackson, Shirley. The Lottery. The New Yorker, 1948, pp. 1-7.