One could think that what Armand gains from reading the fragment of letter from his mother is confirmation, if not new insight. Earlier in the story, the narrator refers briefly to Armand's "dark, handsome face." When his son is born and develops, as he grows, a skin tone that is similar to one of the small "quadroon" boys who works in the house, it seems inconceivable that Armand doesn't consider that his own racial heritage could be the source. This is particularly evident when so many of the descriptions of Désirée emphasize her fair skin, gray eyes, and "golden gleam" in her silky brown hair.

If Armand is indeed cognizant that his mother belonged "to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery" it would help to explain his mistreatment of his slaves. It is an act of self-hatred. Moreover, rejecting his beloved wife and son is an act of self-punishment. And lastly, burning all of Désirée and the baby's belongings enables Armand to keep lying to himself and those who know him about the truth of who he is.