By revealing at the end of the story that it is Armand who is from a mixed racial heritage, Chopin succeeds in again introducing irony into the story. However there is no sense that Armand will change, despite being aware of his heritage. Rather any evidence (his mother’s letter) that reveals his true identity (mixed race) is to be destroyed in the fire along with Désirée’s belongings. It is quite possible that Armand is driven by fear. By destroying his mother’s letter he may be hoping that his own true identity will not come to light.