The  characters

The main characters of the story are Madame Valmonde, Armand Aubigny and Desiree and they are presented by direct and indirect personages’ characterization.

Madame Valmonde finds Desiree sleeping against a stone pillar at the gate of Valmonde, and she does not give a second thought about adopting her. Being unable to bear children, the woman believes that God gives this gift to her and the reader has no doubts that she is a caring mother for the girl. But still there is one more thing, that contributes to her characterization and it’s her shock when she sees the baby for the first time. This clearly reflects the prejudices against black people at this time period in America that touch even her, but she copes with this and writes later in her letter "My own Desiree: Come home to Valmonde; back to your mother who loves you. Come with your child." This speaks about her powerful love and ability to support her daughter no matter what.

Armand Aubigny is the most complicated character in the story. He is the owner of the L'Abri plantation which he inherited from his father, Monsieur Aubigny. He is strong, generous as a real romantic hero at first sight, but the story is far from romanticism. As a husband, Armand clearly rules the home. “When he frowned, (Desiree)trembled,” the narrator observes. “When he smiled, she asked no greater blessing of God.” Armand shows an obsession with race and identity, he treats his slaves strictly, and this shows his hatred against black people. He is able to love, to become better for his wife and after facing situation with a black child there is a fight inside of him. Armand loves his wife but he can’t stand having “brand of slavery” on his child. So his love loses the fight and he says Desiree to leave. This decision seems to be painful for him because he make bonfire to burn all the evidence of Desiree’s presents in his life, but at the same time it can be just a way of getting free from this  “brand of slavery’.

Desiree is one of the main characters. She was abandonned in Valmonde as a child and was adopted by the Valmonde family and given their last name. The author says her to be fair (white skinned), beautiful, gentle, affectionate, sincere, and the idol of Valmonde. She is a loving wife whose affection makes Armand a better person. “This was what made the gentle Desiree so happy, for she loved him desperately. When he frowned she trembled, but loved him. When he smiled, she asked no greater blessing of God. But Armand's dark, handsome face had not often been disfigured by frowns since the day he fell in love with her.” It’s hard for her to understand her husband’s prejudices and till the last moment she hopes he’ll change his mind.  “She turned away like one stunned by a blow, and walked slowly towards the door, hoping he would call her back."Good-by, Armand," she moaned. He did not answer her”.