It is ironic that Armand is the one who turns out to be black. Chopin sets up her readers to believe that Desiree is black, and in turn responsible for the appearance of their baby. This has a definite shock effect as the reader already assumes what Chopin has narrated.
Consider the development of Armand's character throughout. At what points, if any, is he sympathetic? As what points, if any, do you dislike him? At the end, how do you feel about Armand?
When his character is first introduced, he appears sympathetic when he falls madly in love with Desiree despite her questionable origin and lack of name. He also appears sympathetic when Desiree describes his delight with her birth to a baby boy and the fact that it will carry his name. We come to discover the personality of Armand as impervious and "imperious" by his frowns, but he appears overcome with happiness during this events that his frowns become seldom. It isn't long till the baby's appearance becomes an issue that Armand reverts back to his frowns. Armand becomes a disliked character after he begins to ignore his and ultimately exclaims that she is not white, due to he baby's questionable race. His passive response to Desiree's departure makes him despicable in my eyes. The fact that he is disgusted with the nature of his wife and the damage her race can cause to his name and reputation is terrible. In the conclusion I feel like Armand will have a lot of regret and sorrow for his rash assumptions, but I have no more sympathy for him after he let his wife walk out of his life.
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