Social Class and Identity

Where it surfaces

• A No-Account Creole

  The contrast between Placide's 'no-account' Creole status and Offdean's respectable outsider position highlights class distinctions and their impact on personal choices.

• II

  The contrast between the former wealth of the Santien family and the current dilapidated state of the plantation highlights the shifting social and economic identities in the post-war South.

• III

  The chapter contrasts the Santien family's high social standing with Euphrasie's 'problematic mother a good deal less than nobody,' and Placide's perceived low choice in marrying her.

• IV

  Placide's bitterness about the plantation not being his and Offdean's role as a commission merchant underscore class and regional tensions.

• For Marse Chouchoute

  The relationship between Chouchoute and Wash highlights racial and class dynamics, with Wash's devotion contrasting with Chouchoute's carefree nature.

• Boulôt and Boulotte

  The twins' careful saving and decision to carry shoes rather than wear them reflects the economic realities and values of their rural 'Cadian community.

• The Lilies

  The power imbalance between Mr. Billy and Madame Angèle is evident, but Marie Louise's gift bridges the gap.

• At the ’Cadian Ball

  The contrast between the wealthy planter Alcée and the poorer 'Cadian community, as well as Calixta's Spanish heritage setting her apart, underscores class and ethnic dynamics.

• A Visit to Avoyelles

  The poverty of Mentine's household and Doudouce's relative comfort highlight class disparities in rural Louisiana.

• Désirée’s Baby

  The story explores how racial identity and family name determine social standing, and how the revelation of mixed ancestry destroys Désirée's place in society.

• In and Out of Old Natchitoches

  Laballière's association with free mulattoes challenges racial and social boundaries, leading to gossip and conflict with Suzanne, who upholds strict racial divisions in her school.

• Azélie

  The contrast between the planter Mr. Mathurin and the poor 'Cadian family highlights class divisions, with Azélie's family struggling for basic necessities.

• A Gentleman of Bayou Têche

  Evariste and Martinette's concern about being labeled 'low-down 'Cajuns' highlights the struggle for dignity and respect in a class-conscious society.

• A Dresden Lady in Dixie

  The incident reveals the power dynamics between the white planter family and the Black and Creole laborers, as well as the moral weight of reputation and honesty across social lines.

• Dead Men's Shoes

  Gilma's sudden inheritance transforms his social standing and sense of self, as he moves from a displaced dependent to a property owner.

• Nég Créole

  Chicot's obsession with the Boisduré family's wealth and status contrasts sharply with his own poverty and his denial of Mamzelle Aglaé's connection to them, highlighting the gap between illusion and reality.

• Endnotes

  The endnote explains a term that defines a distinct social identity among free people of color in Louisiana, reflecting the nuanced class structures of the time.