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“Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin Essay

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Introduction

Culture and identity, summaries of three sources, works cited.

Desiree’s Baby, authored by Kate Chopin, is a bittersweet short story with an ironic ending. The plot centers on Armand, a wealthy landowner in Louisiana falls for and marries Desiree, a woman of unknown heritage. Later, the couple bears a son with a black skin color, which, according to Armand, comes from Desiree. However, in a twist turn of events, Armand learns that he has a French ancestry, which may have contributed to the child’s mixed heritage.

In this story, the author examines the theme of race and identity by hiding Desiree’s identity. Throughout the story, Desiree’s real identity is a mystery to both Armand and Valmonde who raised her. By disclosing Armand’s mixed heritage, which led to some form of identity crisis towards the end of the narrative, Chopin shows that knowing one’s cultural background is important in identity development. This research essay explores the theme of identity and the role it played in plot development in Chopin’s short story.

In the story, it is evident that knowing one’s identity and origin helps a person connect with the society. The lack of knowledge about a person’s origin affects one relates with others in the society, especially race relations. After Monsieur Valmonde adopts her, rumors emerge about her unknown identity.

Before her marriage, Valmonde tells Armand that “the girl’s obscure origin” could affect his social relations and standing leading to a hasty wedding (Chopin 3). In addition, after the baby is born, his black traits heighten the mystery of Desiree’s heritage. On the other hand, Armand’s aristocratic lineage and “dark, handsome face” do not raise suspicion that he could be from “the race cursed with the brand of slavery” (Chopin 5).

Critics argue that the story’s focus on “the quaint and picturesque life among the Creole and Acadian folk of the Louisiana bayous” (Rankin 124) is an indication mixed heritage can affect identity formation. In addition, the story contains “Southern elements and regional dialects” (Bloom 85), which indicates that Chopin is using a local interpretation to illustrate social relations in Louisiana. Thus, in the story, Desiree’s unknown identity prevents her from fully integrating into her new home and marriage.

Culture and identity also help one to develop a deep sense of the self. A person develops a sense of self-awareness through experience and culture. Initially, Desiree is depicted as white when adorning “soft white muslin and laces” (Chopin 4), but later Armand doubts her whiteness. She defends herself by claiming, “It is a lie; it is not true, I am white! Look at my hair, it is brown; and my eyes are gray” (Chopin 4).

Her sentiments show that, given her unknown heritage, she doubted her ‘whiteness’, which affected her ego. Moreover, Chopin describes her as a “silent, white, and motionless” (6) individual, unlike Armand, who comes from a wealthy aristocratic family and commands great respect and power.

Arner writes that Chopin’s “profound irony and reversal of racial identity” helps develop a sense of justice on the part of the readers (34). It shows that people with an inferior racial background develop a low self-esteem. In addition, Chopin’s association of “darkness with Armand and whiteness with Desiree” (Arner 36) symbolizes their true character and identity. However, Desiree’s unclear racial identity results in her underdeveloped sense of the self.

Culture and identity also define one’s destiny and condition in life. The human situation in the slavery era was determined by one’s ethnic background, where one race was considered superior to the other. In the story, Armand rejects the boy because of his skin color, which, he believes, makes the child inferior to him.

This forces Desiree to request Armand to leave to spare the child the humiliation and stigma. To convey their suffering, Chopin writes that Desiree, after leaving Armand, walks “under the live-oak branches across a deserted field where the stubble bruised her feet” (3). She treads along the “banks of the deep, sluggish bayou never to come back” (Chopin 5). The child’s black skin color wrongly portrayed her as one with an inferior racial identity, forcing her to leave Armand’s household.

Peel asserts that Chopin’s intention is to bring to the fore “the concerns of sex, race, and class” that dominated master-slave duality (223). The story illustrates the 19 th century relationships between whites and blacks as well as between men and women. On the other hand, Chopin reverses racial identities to “confuse the borders of race, gender, truth, and perception” (Peel 229). To Chopin, human interrelationships blur racial and gender boundaries.

Knowledge of one’s culture helps a person to embrace his/her identity and lead an authentic lifestyle. Identity is a means of advancing one’s aspirations and interests. In the story, Desiree’s unknown heritage affects her social status; she receives blame for the child’s skin color and as a result, she is expelled from her home.

Because she did not know her identity, she was not able to pursue her dreams and interests. Despite her skin being “lighter than Armand’s” (Chopin 3), she faces cruelty from Armand. Moreover, she does not retaliate, but remains “stone image: silent, white”, which portrays her as submissive and powerless due to her black heritage.

Commenting on Chopin’s story, Sollors notes that the racial boundary between whites and blacks is blurry because “some slaves are part white, while at least a few masters have a black heritage” (637). In the story, Armand, who, as we learn later, is part black, enjoys a higher social status by virtue of his aristocratic lineage. Sollors further writes that “blackness and whiteness” (639) in the story are discordant with the reality, which explains the characters’ twisted fates.

Identity also defines one’s character and worldviews. Culture shapes a person’s attitude, values, and beliefs, which play a role in interpersonal relationships. Armand is described as being of a dark appearance, which alludes to his cruelty towards Desiree and the slaves working on his plantation.

In one instance, Desiree responds to Armand “in a voice that must have stabbed him, if he was human. But he did not notice” (Chopin 3). This depicts Armand as a person with no sense of morality partly because he was brought up in a wealthy family. His unjust attitude makes many to believe that “God was paying him back in kind when he stabbed thus into his wife’s soul” (Chopin 4).

This description shows that Armand’s “dark personality” does not originate from his ancestry, but “the evil he embraced and incorporated into his identity” (Fox-Genovese 8). In this view, Chopin shows that Armand’s ignorance of his cultural background made him embrace evil values and beliefs that are not part of his culture. Fox-Genovese further notes that the “yellow nurse woman” in the story alludes to the “elements of both light and dark” that shape an individual’s identity and behavior (21).

In the story, the theme of identity is apparent during Madame Valmonde’s visit to Armand to see the baby. She holds the child close to the source of light to see his skin color. In another instance, Zandrine hides her shock from Madame Valmonde on realizing that the child is black. Desiree’s identity, as a “white married woman” is affected when it becomes apparent that the baby has a black heritage (Bornarito 17). The realization that she might have a mixed heritage changes her self-concept to the extent that she agrees to leave Armand’s household.

In the story, Chopin shows how an unknown identity can affect one’s societal standing and individual aspirations. Uncertainty over her heritage made Desiree a subject of cruelty and social stigma. On the other hand, the truth about Armand’s mixed heritage shows how his lack of knowledge of his origin shaped his opinion of the black race. Thus, knowledge of one’s culture helps construct individual identity and shapes views, self-concept, and relationships with others.

Arner, Robert. “Pride and Prejudice: Kate Chopin’s Desiree’s Baby”. The Mississippi Quarterly 25 (1972): 131-140. Print.

The article is a commentary on racial relations in Desiree’s Baby. It examines dualities in the short story, such as white vs. black and dark vs. light as well the yellow color. It also examines identity formation risks in the story and the advancement of the ‘social self’ at the expense of the individual ego.

Bloom, Harold. Kate Chopin, Modern Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987. Print.

The book is a collection of writings authored by literary critics of Chopin’s works. It also features Chopin’s biography and short stories, including Desiree’s Baby and the Awakening arranged in a chronological order. The literary critics comment on the romantic images, the plot, and the characters in Desiree’s Baby.

Peel, Ellen. “Semiotic Subversion in ‘Desiree’s Baby”. American Literature 62.2 (1990): 223-238. Print.

The article examines power relations in Desiree’s Baby, especially the oppression of women and blacks. In particular, the article analyzes the symbolism behind Desiree’s name, which means obsession with other people’s desires. The subversion of her desires leaves her devoid of her identity and interests.

Bornarito, Jessica. Chopin, Kate General Commentary : Feminism in Literature: A Gale Critical Companion. Detroit: Gale, 2005. Print.

Chopin, Kate. Desiree’s Baby . New York: Create Space Independent Publishing Platform, 1893. Print.

Fox-Genovese, Elizabeth. “Between Individualism and Fragmentation: American Culture and the New Literary Studies of Race and Gender”. American Quarterly 42.1 (1990): 7-29. Print.

Rankin, Daniel. Kate Chopin and Her Creole Stories . Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1992. Print.

Sollors, Werner. Neither Black nor White yet Both: Thematic Explorations of Interracial Literature. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997. Print.

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Literary Theory and Criticism

Home › Literature › Analysis of Kate Chopin’s Désirée’s Baby

Analysis of Kate Chopin’s Désirée’s Baby

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on May 23, 2021

Kate Chopin ’s brief but mesmerizing story opens in medias res , with Madame Valmonde preparing to visit her adopted daughter, Desiree, recently married to the wealthy Louisiana plantation owner Armand d’Aubigny and even more recently delivered of a baby girl. Then, in a series of flashbacks, the narrator reveals Desiree’s uncertain origins as a foundling, her beauty as she grew to womanhood, and Armand’s passionate proposal of marriage. The narrator then returns to the present and, using briefl y effective images, sketches the hierarchical plantation system of whites, quadroons, and blacks. Using Mme. Valmonde’s perspective, the narrator reveals that the baby does not look white—and so the tragedy of this story moves rapidly to its completion.

It is difficult to imagine a reader who would not be horrified and disgusted by the results of the racism and sexism that permeate this story. No one could believe that Armand Aubigny’s inhuman cruelty to his wife, Desiree, and his child is warranted. The only real uncertainty for the reader concerns Armand’s foreknowledge of his own parentage: Did he know that his mother had Negro blood before he married Desiree, or did he discover her revealing letter later on? If he did know beforehand (and it is difficult to believe that he did not), his courtship of and marriage to Desiree were highly calculated actions, with Desiree chosen because she was the perfect woman to be used in an “experimental” reproduction. If their child(ren) “passed” as white, Armand would be pleased and would keep the marriage intact. If not, Desiree, the foundling, would be the perfect victim to take the blame.

Kate Chopin/The New York Public Library

This may seem to be judging Armand too harshly, because the narrator does describe his great passion for Desiree, so suddenly and furiously ignited. Certainly Armand behaves as a man in love. But Chopin inserts a few subtle remarks that allow us to question this, at least in hindsight: “The wonder was that he had not loved her before; for he had known her since his father brought him home from Paris, a boy of eight, after his mother died there.” It does seem unlikely that a man of Armand’s temperament would conceive this sudden intense desire for “the girl next door,” a sweet, naive young woman whom he has known for most of his life. Right from the beginning, Chopin also reveals details about his character that are unsettling, even to the innocent and loving Desiree. The basic cruelty of Armand’s nature is hinted at throughout the story, particularly regarding his severe treatment of “his negroes,” which is in notably sharp contrast to his father’s example.

Armand’s reputation as a harsh slave master supports the presumption that he has known about his own part-Negro ancestry all along. He did not learn this behavior from his father, who was “easy-going and indulgent” in his dealings with the slaves. The knowledge that some of his own ancestors spring from the same “race of slavery” would surely be unbearable to the proud, “imperious” Armand, and the rage and shame that this knowledge brings would easily be turned against the blacks around him. In much the same way, when Armand realizes that his baby is visibly racially mixed, he vents his fury viciously on his slaves, the “very spirit of Satan [taking] hold of him.”

Modern readers will find many disturbing aspects to this story. The seemingly casual racism is horrifying. Feminists are likely to take exception (as they sometimes do to Chopin’s The Awakening) to Desiree’s passive acceptance of Armand’s rejection of her and his child and her apparently deliberate walk into the bayou. Suicide is not the strong woman’s answer to the situation, but Desiree is definitely not a strong woman. What she does have is wealthy parents who love her and are willing to take care of her and the baby. Why does she feel that she has to end her life? Gender and class roles and structures were so rigid in this period that it was impossible for a woman to cross those lines very far; the racial barrier was the most rigid of all. No mixing of black and white blood would ever be condoned in that society, so Desiree’s baby would never find acceptance anywhere. Desiree is not able to see a viable way out of her terrifying situation, and her view is not entirely unrealistic, considering her time and place. As she has done in her other stories, Kate Chopin realistically depicts the cruelty and horror of a social structure that totally denies power to women, children, the poor, and most of all, blacks.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Chopin, Kate. The Complete Works of Kate Chopin. Edited by Per Seyersted. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1969. Koloski, Bernard. Kate Chopin: A Study of the Short Fiction. New York: Twayne, 1996.

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Desiree's Baby

36 pages • 1 hour read

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Summary and Study Guide

Summary: “désirée’s baby”.

“Désirée’s Baby” is a short story by Kate Chopin, first published under the title “The Father of Désirée's Baby,” in Vogue on January 14, 1893. It later appeared in Chopin’s 1894 short story collection Bayou Folk. The story takes place in Louisiana in the antebellum , or pre-Civil War, period. Its characters are Creole—descendants of colonists who lived in Louisiana during its periods of French and Spanish rule, who typically spoke French and practiced Catholicism . Chopin, herself, was Creole and is known for her work that centered women in late 19th-century Southern American society.

Told in third-person point-of-view, “Désirée’s Baby” opens with Madame Valmondé driving to visit her daughter, Désirée , and her new grandchild, whom she hasn’t seen in four weeks. Désirée was discovered as a toddler by the gates of the Valmondé estate, perhaps left behind by a band of travelers. Madame Valmondé believes that God sent her Désirée, since she could not have children of her own.

It was at those same gates that Désirée, as an 18-year-old, attracted the attention of Armand Aubigny . He fell in love with her instantly, as is the habit of the men in his family. Armand lived in France with his father and mother until he was eight years old; when his mother died, he and his father returned to the United States.

Upon arriving at Armand Aubigny’s estate, L’Abri, Madame Valmondé ’s mood changes from light to heavy. She feels a chill entering the property and recalls how Armand Aubigny’s father was “easy-going and indulgent” (Paragraph 7), especially when it came to treatment of the people he enslaved. Armand, unlike his father, is strict, and this contributes to Madame Valmondé’s negative impression of the place.

When Madame Valmondé finally greets her daughter Désirée, who is recovering from childbirth, she’s shocked at the appearance of the infant. Désirée misinterprets this shock to be in reference to the baby’s growth. Madame Valmondé agrees the baby is different from when she last saw, but she doesn’t articulate exactly what she’s observed and instead asks about what Armand thinks. Désirée replies that Armand is proud and that one result of his happiness is that he’s stopped punishing the enslaved people. Désirée is happy, largely because her husband is happy.

Later, when the baby is three months old, Désirée senses an inexplicable threat in the air. She suspects that people around her know something she doesn’t. Armand turns angry and hateful and returns to abusing the people he enslaves. It’s only when Désirée sees her son side-by-side with the son of an enslaved woman that she begins to see her son in a new way. Unable to put words to this, she asks her husband, who tells her what he already has figured out that her son is not white and she, therefore, is not white either.

Désirée begs Armand to reconsider her fair skin and grey eyes, but he rejects her. Désirée writes to her mother, begging her to confirm her whiteness and saying she’ll die if she’s not: “I must die. I cannot be so unhappy, and live” (Paragraph 28). Madame Valmondé neither confirms nor denies this but rather tells Désirée to bring her baby and come back home. Désirée asks Armand if she should go. When Armand tells her she should leave, Désirée takes the baby from the arms of Zandrine, an enslaved nursemaid, and exits the house. Instead of going home, Désirée wanders into a field, where the terrain begins to wear away at her clothes and body.

The story jumps forward a few weeks to when Armand, with the aid of the workers he enslaves, methodically burns every household relic belonging to Désirée and the baby. When he goes to burn her love letters, he finds an old letter from his mother to his father. In the letter, Armand’s mother reveals that she (and, by extension, Armand) “belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery” (Paragraph 47) and that God has organized the family’s life in such a way that Armand would never find out. 

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Desiree's Baby

by Kate Chopin

Desiree's baby themes.

The main conflict centers around the issue Armand has about Desiree 's supposed mixed racial background. His hatred for the black race runs so strong that without thinking too hard about the possibility that the child's somewhat darker complexion could have been because of him, he effectively abandons Desiree. The antebellum Louisiana setting shows how the racial hierarchy of the time has a psychological impact not only on the black slaves as a result of subjugation, abuse by their owners, and forced labor - completely stripping them of their humanity - but also how slavery affects the psychology of the white slave owner.

The incredible fear that Armand harbors about how Desiree is supposedly mixed leads him to think that marrying her, being with her, giving her the attention that he did, and having a child with her has completely tarnished the name of his family and his home. He refuses to believe Desiree, despite her desperate attempts that almost conclusively show that she is indeed of pure white heritage (at least insofar as her skin is even whiter than Armand's). He falls into a state of complete indifference - his hatred is so pure, so raw, and so great that nothing, until he reads his mother's letter, could convince him that he has black blood, and that he was the reason why his son has a darker skin complexion. Armand is blinded by his emotions - first of love for Desiree and then of hatred of the black race - and both emotions are so intense that it is not until the end that he realizes how wrong he is about Desiree and about his own heritage.

What we see in this story are two extremes of kinship: Monsieur and Madame Valmondé very willingly take in Desiree as a baby who they knew nothing about. There were theories among the townspeople that she was left by a party of traveling Texans, but that did not seem to make a difference for the Valmondés. They took in Desiree as she was, and it was only when Armand took a fancy to her as a grownup that Monsieur Valmondé cautioned Armand to at least consider the background of Desiree. When Desiree realized what Armand thought about their child and about her racial background, she writes a heartfelt and urgent letter to Madame Valmondé. The Madame sends back a brief reply: "My own Desiree: Come home to Valmondé; back to your mother who loves you. Come with your child." It is more than evident that regardless of all that has happened - and from the tone of Valmondé's letter it seems that she knew something like this was going to happen - Valmondé very enthusiastically tells Desiree to come home. Moreover, she tells her to bring the baby as well.

This uncompromising and unconditional operates quite apart from the kind of kinship that Armand exhibits, which is full of haste, of rash, uninformed decision-making, and of uncontrolled (and unchecked) emotional expression. Armand forgoes and breaks off his ties with Desiree almost as quickly as he initially built them, and does so in a similarly impulsive manner. His decisions are made in the spur of the moment. It is this ill-natured temperament and mentality that creates problems for Desiree and for Armand, and eventually leads to both of their downfalls (assuming that Armand's realization of his true racial heritage is something that he is unable to accept or live with).

At first Desiree is unable to comprehend the reason why Armand has become so hostile to her. She refuses to believe that she is anything but white - nothing about her appearance suggests otherwise. In fact, Armand's darker skin might indicate that he is the one of mixed racial heritage. At the same time, what Chopin leaves the reader with is this kind of cliffhanger: how exactly does Armand process and understand that fact his mother was black? It would seem that, at least if past behavior is indicative of anything in the future, Armand would not take this information about race lightly. It is unclear what he would do: would he deny his racial identification? Would he hate himself because he is half black? There is in fact, to some degree, a difficulty in accepting the realities of race. All his life, he was the master, the dominant being. But after learning about his mother, would he deny himself what he denied others? It may be the case that if Armand truly believed in the racialized hierarchy of his day, in the inferiority of black people, and in the supremacy and superiority of white people, he (ironically) would sell himself into slavery or some kind of bondage. On the other hand, the psychological impact of this newfound information may lead him - as he is quite a religious individual - to repent and atone for his sins and to possibly go looking for Desiree and their child. However, this is completely left to the reader's imagination. What is clear is that Armand slowly comes to terms with his child's skin tone, which he sees as God's (apparent) unjust punishment. He denies that he did anything wrong at all to deserve this. At the end, he comes to realize that he was the sinner all along.

Despite Desiree being the one in the relationship to show more compassion, compromise, and commitment, she ends up (at least the reader can infer) dying after walking into the wilderness with her child. On the other hand, Armand, given his uncompromising animosity, inability to understand the feelings of others, and lack of prudent judgement, ends up with his name, his home, his property, and his slaves intact. But in one respect, he may have ended up facing the more severe punishment: his incredible racism and hatred for the black race is something he has to live with for the rest of his life (assuming he does not commit suicide, which given his hatred, he just might go ahead and do) considering the fact that he now knows that he is half black.

The Valmondés experience a fate similar to that of Desiree, especially Madame Valmondé, who was incredibly fond of Desiree, despite the fact that she was adopted. In fact, one might even argue that they face an even worse fate than Desiree because they have loved her and been incredibly supportive and good to her. Armand essentially took away the blessing they received (an adopted child in Desiree) in light of the fact that they could not have a child of their own.

Gender and Complacency

Even though she initially protests Armand's allegations about her mixed background, Desiree eventually complies and accepts Armand's position. She does not think that he will change his mind. In fact, she often looks past his devilish, satanic behavior towards her and her slaves. She looks for the good in Armand, though the same cannot be said of Armand's behavior towards her. When she asks him if she should leave, Armand tells her, "Yes, I want you to go." His tone seems dismissive, apathetic, and resolved. He is firm in his decision; he does not express shame or regret. This is in contrast to Desiree's uncertainty and unwillingness to let go. In fact, at the moment it would seem that Desiree has more of an incentive to leave Armand and to protest his behavior than vice versa. Gender roles typical of the time are embraced and in fact are internalized so greatly that both Desiree and Armand are blind to how to actually resolve the situation and see who is actually at fault.

Though Desiree is presented as rather submissive, there are elements of feminism in the story. Specifically, it is the moments of agency that Desiree exhibits (confronting Armand instead of remaining in the dark) which showcase the slivers of hope for women that Chopin weaves into her narrative. Desiree could have allowed herself to stay quiet, but her love for and anger towards Armand convinced her to stand up for her love, her child, her marriage, and later on her racial purity.

Desiree’s Baby Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Desiree’s Baby is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Why was madame valmonde amused at the thought of Desiree ' s baby

In Kate Chopin's short story "Desiree's Baby," Madame Valmonde, Desiree's adoptive mother, is initially amused at the thought of Desiree's baby because she finds it unexpected and ironic. Madame Valmonde had not anticipated that Desiree, who was...

In the story's opening, a flashback, Chopin provides an insight into the speed with which Armand chooses to marry Desiree, not really caring about her background, despite Monsieur Valmondé's insistence to the contrary.

“Monsieur Valmondé grew...

Desiree’s baby

She was a baby younger than on year old when she was found.

Study Guide for Desiree’s Baby

Desiree's Baby study guide contains a biography of Kate Chopin, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Desiree's Baby
• Desiree's Baby Summary
• Character List

Essays for Desiree’s Baby

Desiree's Baby essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin.

• The Glass Ceiling in Relation to Happiness
• Symbolism, Setting and Sexism in 'Desiree's Baby'
• The Architect of His Own Destruction
• How the Southern Hierarchy "Others" Black Women in Literature: Absalom, Absalom!, "That Evening Sun Goes Down," and "Desiree's Baby"
• Desiree’s Triple Consciousness: Gender and Racial Prejudice in “Désirée’s Baby”

Wikipedia Entries for Desiree’s Baby

• Introduction

English Studies

This website is dedicated to English Literature, Literary Criticism, Literary Theory, English Language and its teaching and learning.

“Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin: Analysis

“Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin, a short story appeared in Vogue magazine in 1893 centers on Désirée, a young woman who marries into a prominent Louisiana family.

Introduction: “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin

“Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin, a short story appeared in Vogue magazine in 1893 centers on Désirée, a young woman who marries into a prominent Louisiana family. However, a secret concerning race and identity disrupts their seemingly idyllic life. Though initially controversial for its subject matter, Chopin’s masterful storytelling and exploration of complex themes, particularly racial prejudice and personal identity, have ensured the story’s enduring popularity. “Désirée’s Baby” cemented Chopin’s reputation as a pioneering feminist voice, and her work continues to resonate with readers and scholars alike.

Main Events in “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin

• A wealthy landowner, Armand Aubigny, falls in love with a young girl named Desiree and marries her.
• Desiree gives birth to a baby boy, but soon Armand begins to notice that the child’s skin is dark, and he accuses Desiree of being of mixed race.
• Desiree insists that she is white and suggests that the child may have inherited his skin color from her husband’s family.
• Armand becomes increasingly angry and demands that Desiree and the baby leave his home.
• Desiree takes the baby and disappears.
• Armand burns all of Desiree’s belongings and discovers a letter from his mother to his father, revealing that Armand’s mother was of mixed race.
• Armand realizes that he is the one with African ancestry and that he has treated his wife and child unjustly.
• Armand tries to find Desiree and the baby but does not succeed.
• Time passes, and people notice that Armand’s behavior has changed, and he becomes reclusive and sad.
• The story ends with the reveal that the baby’s true biological father was a man of mixed race who was well-respected by the community.

Literary Devices in “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin

• Allusion : A reference to another literary work, historical event, or cultural phenomenon. Example: “She turned and regarded him with eyes that were clear and steady but not proud.” (Alludes to the Bible verse Proverbs 31:30: “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”)
• Characterization : The use of description and dialogue to create a character. Example: The character of Armand is revealed through his treatment of Desiree and his family history.
• Conflict : The struggle between two opposing forces. Example: The conflict between Desiree and Armand over their child’s race.
• Foreshadowing : A hint or clue about events that will happen later in the story. Example: The fact that Armand’s mother’s portrait is hidden away foreshadows the reveal about his family history.
• Hyperbole : Exaggerated language used for emphasis or effect. Example: “Oh, Armand is the proudest father in the parish, I believe, chiefly because it is a boy, to bear his name.”
• Imagery : The use of vivid descriptions to create sensory experiences for the reader. Example: “The sun was shining brightly upon the clearing, and there was a great fluttering of the cottonwood leaves.”
• Irony : The use of language to convey a meaning opposite to its literal meaning. Example: The fact that Armand accuses Desiree of being of mixed race when it is he who has African ancestry is an example of dramatic irony.
• Metaphor : A comparison between two unlike things. Example: “The passion that awoke in him that day, when he saw her at the gate, swept along like an avalanche, or like a prairie fire, or like anything that drives headlong over all obstacles.”
• Motif : A recurring image or idea. Example: The motif of whiteness, which symbolizes purity and innocence, is present throughout the story.
• Personification : Giving human qualities to non-human things. Example: “The very spirit of Satan seemed suddenly to take hold of him in his dealings with the slaves.”
• Point of View : The perspective from which the story is told. Example: “Desiree’s Baby” is told from a third-person limited point of view, focusing on Desiree’s experiences and thoughts.
• Setting : The time and place in which the story takes place. Example: “Desiree’s Baby” is set in Louisiana in the late 19th century.
• Simile : A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as”. Example: “The smile that she gave him was at once childlike and like the old woman.”
• Symbolism : The use of an object or image to represent something else. Example: The baby’s skin color is a symbol of racial identity and prejudice.
• Tone : The attitude of the author toward the subject matter or characters. Example: The tone of “Desiree’s Baby” is serious and somber, reflecting the gravity of the themes explored in the story.

Characterization in “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin

Major characters:.

• Désirée: The protagonist of the story, Désirée is a young, beautiful, and innocent girl who is abandoned as a baby and taken in by Monsieur and Madame Valmondé. She later marries Armand Aubigny and has a child with him.
• Armand Aubigny: A wealthy plantation owner and the husband of Désirée. He is initially portrayed as a loving and devoted husband and father but later becomes cruel and abusive.
• Madame Valmondé: The woman who finds and takes in Désirée as a baby. She later visits her daughter and grandson at the Aubigny plantation and is shocked by the events that unfold.

Minor characters:

• La Blanche: A slave on the Aubigny plantation who becomes Armand’s mistress and the mother of his child.
• Zandrine: A slave who works for Désirée and helps her take care of her baby.
• Monsieur Valmondé: The husband of Madame Valmondé and Désirée’s biological father. He is only briefly mentioned in the story.

Major Themes in “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin

• Racial Prejudice and Hypocrisy: “Désirée’s Baby” unflinchingly explores the pervasiveness of racial prejudice in the antebellum South. The discovery of Désirée’s ancestry, likely mixed race based on the “one-drop rule,” exposes the arbitrary cruelty of this system. Armand’s horrified reaction (“It is a cursed race…”) reveals the deep-seated racism that underpins seemingly idyllic Southern society. This hypocrisy is further emphasized by the existence of characters like Madame Aubigny, a free woman of color, who occupies an ambiguous social position.
• Deception and Identity Crisis: The story revolves around a central deception: Désirée’s complete ignorance of her racial background. This revelation shatters her sense of self and belonging. Her desperate cry, “Tell me! What does it mean?” underscores the profound identity crisis she faces.
• Love’s Conditional Nature: Armand’s initial passionate love for Désirée proves fragile in the face of her heritage. His complete rejection exposes the limitations of love conditioned by societal prejudices. This reinforces the story’s critique of a society where love is contingent upon racial purity.
• Female Powerlessness in a Patriarchal Society: Désirée, lacking control over her past or her future, embodies the powerlessness of women in the patriarchal South. Confined by societal expectations, she is abandoned and ostracized. This is evident when she is forced to leave with only “the clothes she wore and the little bundle clasped in her desperate arms.”

Writing Style in “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin

• Evocative Imagery: Chopin paints vivid pictures of the Louisiana setting, from the “colonnaded” mansion to “the bayou” with its lush vegetation, enhancing atmosphere and symbolism.
• Ominous Foreshadowing: The description of “the yellow nurse woman” and the baby’s “darkening” skin subtly hint at the impending tragedy concerning race and heritage.
• Dramatic Irony: Armand’s pride in L’Abri, unaware of its potentially ironic name (meaning “shelter”), foreshadows the disruption his prejudice will cause.
• Objective Yet Emotionally Charged Narration: Chopin remains non-judgmental, yet skillfully evokes feelings of pity for Désirée (“Poor child!”) and contempt for Armand’s cruelty (“…blood that beat strong…as if all the rest of the world was but an atom…”)

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin

Questions and Thesis Statements about “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin

• How does Kate Chopin use irony to convey the theme of race and identity in “Désirée’s Baby”?
• Thesis statement : Through the use of verbal irony in the dialogue between Armand and Désirée and situational irony in the revelation of the baby’s true parentage, Chopin highlights the absurdity of race-based societal norms and the fragility of constructed identity.
• In what ways does Chopin use symbolism to comment on the themes of gender roles and social class in “Désirée’s Baby”?
• Thesis statement: Chopin employs symbols such as the stone pillar, the cotton fields, and the baby’s clothing to represent the rigid gender roles and social hierarchies of the antebellum South, ultimately questioning their validity and impact on individual lives.
• How does the use of foreshadowing contribute to the tragic ending of “Désirée’s Baby”? Thesis statement: Through the use of foreshadowing, such as the ominous mist and Désirée’s cryptic statements about her past, Chopin builds a sense of impending doom that ultimately leads to the tragic and devastating conclusion of the story.
• How does Chopin use the setting of Louisiana and its history of slavery to explore the theme of racial identity in “Désirée’s Baby”?
• Thesis statement: The use of Louisiana as a setting, with its complex history of slavery and racial tension, allows Chopin to explore the theme of racial identity and the impact of societal norms and expectations on individuals, particularly those of mixed race.
• In what ways does Chopin use the technique of stream of consciousness to convey the psychological turmoil experienced by Désirée in “Désirée’s Baby”?
• Thesis statement: By utilizing the stream of consciousness technique, Chopin allows the reader to delve into Désirée’s inner thoughts and emotions, providing a deeper understanding of her internal struggle as she grapples with the rejection of her husband and the revelation of her unknown past.

Short Question-Answer about “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin

• How does Kate Chopin explore the theme of race in “Desiree’s Baby”?
• Kate Chopin explores the theme of race in “Desiree’s Baby” by showing the harsh realities of racial prejudice and discrimination in the 19th century American South. The story is set in a society where race is everything and the color of one’s skin determines their status and worth. Chopin highlights this by showing how Desiree’s unknown origins lead to her being ostracized and ultimately cast aside by her husband, who discovers that their child is of mixed race. This is also exemplified through the character of Armand, who embodies the societal expectations and prejudices of his time and cannot accept the idea of a mixed-race child in his family. Through the story, Chopin underscores the destructive consequences of racial prejudice and discrimination, and the need for empathy, acceptance, and equality.
• How does Kate Chopin use symbolism in “Desiree’s Baby”?
• Kate Chopin uses symbolism in “Desiree’s Baby” to convey deeper meanings and emotions in the story. One of the most prominent symbols is the stone pillar, which represents the solidity and permanence of the racial prejudice and discrimination in the society. It is also symbolic of Armand’s pride and power, which crumbles when he discovers his child’s mixed-race heritage. The color white is also symbolic, representing purity and innocence, but also the illusion of purity that is often used to justify racial discrimination. The image of the bayou is also symbolic of the unknown and mysterious, reflecting the uncertain origins of Desiree and her child. Chopin’s use of symbolism enriches the story and adds layers of meaning that go beyond the surface narrative.
• How does Kate Chopin use irony in “Desiree’s Baby”?
• Kate Chopin uses irony in “Desiree’s Baby” to highlight the hypocrisy and injustice of the society in which the story is set. For example, Armand, who is considered a model of masculinity and white supremacy, is himself of mixed race, which he discovers only after he has cast aside his wife and child for the same reason. This irony underscores the arbitrary and illogical nature of racial discrimination, and exposes the hypocrisy of those who claim to uphold racial purity and superiority. Another example of irony is the fact that Desiree, who is assumed to be of mixed race, is in fact white, while Armand, who is assumed to be white, is of mixed race. This irony subverts the expectations and assumptions of the society, and highlights the absurdity and injustice of the racial hierarchy.
• How does Kate Chopin use foreshadowing in “Desiree’s Baby”?
• Kate Chopin uses foreshadowing in “Desiree’s Baby” to hint at the tragic and shocking twist that comes at the end of the story. For example, the unknown origins of Desiree and her child, as well as the reference to her adoptive parents’ “cruelty,” foreshadow the revelation that the child is of mixed race and that Armand will react harshly to this discovery. The image of the baby clutching the letter “D” foreshadows the revelation of Desiree’s unknown origins and the fact that she will ultimately leave the plantation. The use of foreshadowing creates a sense of tension and unease throughout the story, and prepares the reader for the devastating revelation that will shatter the lives of the characters.

Literary Works Similar to “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin

• The Awakening (1892) by Kate Chopin: Chopin’s novel delves further into themes explored in “Désirée’s Baby.” Edna Pontellier, the protagonist, mirrors Désirée’s struggle for identity and personal fulfillment within a restrictive societal framework. Both works offer insightful critiques of gender roles and societal expectations for women in the late 19th century.
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969) by Maya Angelou: This autobiographical novel by Maya Angelou shares thematic parallels with “Désirée’s Baby.” Both protagonists grapple with issues of racial identity and societal marginalization. Angelou’s work, however, provides a firsthand perspective on growing up Black in the racist South, offering a deeper historical context to the racial prejudice explored in Chopin’s story.
• Passing (1926) by Nella Larsen: Larsen’s novel explores racial identity and the concept of “passing” – the ability of a light-skinned Black person to integrate into white society. Similar to Désirée’s situation, Clare Kendry, the protagonist, navigates a world where racial categorization is fluid and prejudice is deeply ingrained. Both works highlight the complexities of racial identity and societal pressures.
• Kindred (1979) by Octavia Butler: While a science fiction novel, Octavia Butler’s “Kindred” thematically resonates with “Désirée’s Baby.” Through the lens of time travel, Butler explores race and slavery. Dana Franklin, the protagonist, encounters the brutality of the antebellum South firsthand, highlighting the ongoing effects of historical injustices. Both novels utilize contrasting genres to explore the lasting impact of racial prejudice.
• Wide Sargasso Sea (1966) by Jean Rhys: This prequel to “Jane Eyre” offers a distinct yet thematically linked narrative. Jean Rhys tells the story of Bertha Antoinette Mason, Mr. Rochester’s first wife, a woman of mixed race ostracized and ultimately confined by a racist society. Both “Désirée’s Baby” and “Wide Sargasso Sea” explore the plight of women of color within oppressive patriarchal structures.

Suggested Readings: “Désirée’s Baby” by Kate Chopin

• Benstock, Shari. Women’s Self-Recovery in American Literature. University of North Carolina Press, 1986. This book analyzes Chopin’s work within the context of feminist literary criticism, offering valuable insights into “Désirée’s Baby” through this lens.
• Lenz, Lois W. Black Feminist Literary Criticism: Theory, Method, Practice. Greenwood Press, 1989. This text provides a critical framework for examining issues of race and gender in Chopin’s writing, enriching your interpretation of “Désirée’s Baby.”
• Skalicky, Julie Chadron. Kate Chopin and the Politics of Desire. Louisiana State University Press, 2008. This comprehensive study offers in-depth analysis of Chopin’s work, including a detailed examination of “Désirée’s Baby.”
• “Textual, Contextual and Critical Surprises in ‘Désirée’s Baby.'” Connotations: A Journal for Critical Debate 14. 1-3 (2004-2005): 38-67. This article explores the concept of “passing” and its connection to racial identity in the story, providing a fresh perspective.
• Gilbert, Sandra M . “Desirée’s Baby and the Significance of the Ending.” American Literature 52.3 (1980): 498-516. This article delves into the open ending of the story, analyzing its interpretive possibilities and inviting further consideration.
• The Kate Chopin Society. https://www.katechopin.org/society/ This website, dedicated to Chopin’s life and work, offers scholarly resources on “Désirée’s Baby,” including critical essays by established researchers.

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Désirée’s Baby

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Slavery and Racism

Set in Louisiana in the mid-nineteenth century on two white-owned plantations some time before the Civil War, the story explores the psychological impacts of slavery and racial inequality. The violence and physical abuse that was so much a part of slavery exist only on the fringes of the story, implied in Armand ’s “strict” treatment of his slaves and his ambiguous but likely sexual relationship with La Blanche , which makes sense given that all…

Intersection of Classism, Sexism, and Racism

“Désirée’s Baby” depicts the ways in which the gender and economic inequalities present in mid-nineteenth century Southern society reinforced and intermingled with the inequalities of racist slave culture. Often these three issues are interconnected, as in the role of La Blanche , a slave of Armand ’s, who also seems to have a sexual relationship with him. Armand’s position as a wealthy, white male allowed him to exercise complete control over his possession: a poor…

Love and Blindness

Love, both romantic and familial, is a powerful transformative force in “Désirée’s Baby.” Love primarily works to soften characters, allowing them to care for other individuals and for their fellow human beings more broadly. Madame and Monsieur Valmondé are transformed when they discover an abandoned child and welcome her as their own despite her mysterious and, likely, impoverished background. Armand is also softened by his love for Désirée . Not only does he wish to…

Irony, Misjudgments, and Fate

The story ends with a twist of situational irony: Armand discovers too late that it is he (and not his wife) who has black heritage. Armand acted upon the misjudgment that Désirée , and her unknown past, were to blame for the appearance of their baby . Armand’s misjudgment reveals the prejudice that would cause him to blame his wife rather than himself. As a man, Armand sees himself as above women and is…

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“Desiree’s Baby”: a Reflection on Identity and Prejudice

How it works

Kate Chopin’s short story, “Desiree’s Baby,” set in the antebellum South, is a poignant narrative that explores themes of racial identity, prejudice, and the complexities of love and betrayal. Through the tale of Desiree and her child, Chopin delves into the destructive power of societal norms and the tragic consequences of internalized racism. This essay will unpack the layers of meaning in “Desiree’s Baby,” exploring how Chopin uses character, setting, and irony to critique the societal attitudes of her time.

At the heart of the story is Desiree, a woman whose past is shrouded in mystery, having been found and adopted by the Valmonde family as a toddler. Her marriage to Armand Aubigny, a man from a wealthy and prestigious Creole family, seems like a fairy tale come true. However, the birth of their child brings a dramatic change. As the baby grows, it becomes evident that he is of mixed racial heritage, which, in the context of the 19th-century South, is a matter of grave significance. The story’s tension revolves around the question of who, between Desiree and Armand, brought the non-white lineage into their child’s bloodline.

Chopin’s use of setting is critical in highlighting the story’s themes. The Louisiana plantation, L’Abri, is not just a backdrop but a symbol of the rigid social and racial hierarchies of the time. The plantation is described as somber and oppressive, mirroring the darkening of Armand’s mood as he grapples with the implications of his son’s heritage. This setting reinforces the societal constraints and expectations that dictate the characters’ lives and ultimately their fates.

The most striking element in Chopin’s narrative is her use of irony, particularly in the story’s climax. The letter discovered by Armand, revealing it is he who has African ancestry, not Desiree, turns the story on its head. This revelation is a powerful commentary on the arbitrary and constructed nature of racial identities, especially in a society so obsessively concerned with lineage and purity. The irony lies in Armand’s vehement racism and pride in his heritage, which is ultimately his undoing.

Chopin also masterfully explores the theme of identity. Desiree’s lack of a known lineage leaves her vulnerable and dependent on the society’s acceptance for her identity. Her identity crisis deepens with the realization that her child is part African-American, leading to her tragic decision to leave L’Abri. In contrast, Armand’s identity is seemingly secure until it is shattered by the truth of his heritage. This contrast highlights the fragility of identity based on societal perceptions and the dangers of internalizing oppressive societal norms.

Furthermore, the story is a critique of the patriarchal and racial prejudices of the time. Desiree’s fate is ultimately decided by Armand, showcasing her lack of agency. Her acceptance and later rejection by Armand reflect the societal attitude towards race – acceptance and love contingent on fitting into the accepted social norms. Chopin, through this narrative, condemns the societal propensity to judge and discriminate based on ancestry and the color of one’s skin.

In conclusion, “Desiree’s Baby” is a powerful exploration of the themes of racial identity, societal prejudice, and the tragic outcomes of internalized racism. Kate Chopin, through her nuanced storytelling, critiques the rigid social structures of her time. The story serves as a reminder of the destructive power of racism and the importance of basing identity on more than just societal perceptions. In its exploration of these themes, “Desiree’s Baby” remains a relevant and compelling narrative, offering valuable insights into the human condition and the societal constructs that shape it.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — Desiree's Baby

Essays on Desiree's Baby

When it comes to writing an essay on Kate Chopin's "Desiree's Baby," the choice of topic is crucial. The topic sets the tone for the entire essay and determines the direction of the research and analysis. Therefore, it's important to choose a topic that is not only interesting but also relevant and thought-provoking. In this guide, we will discuss the importance of the topic, provide advice on choosing a topic, and offer a detailed list of recommended essay topics.

The topic of an essay on "Desiree's Baby" is important because it sets the stage for the analysis and interpretation of the story. A well-chosen topic can lead to a deeper understanding of the characters, themes, and symbolism in the text. It can also spark insightful discussions and provide a fresh perspective on the story. On the other hand, a poorly chosen topic can result in a lackluster and unoriginal essay that fails to capture the reader's interest.

When choosing a topic for an essay on "Desiree's Baby," it's important to consider the themes and motifs present in the story. Additionally, it's helpful to think about the societal and historical context in which the story was written. This can provide valuable insight into the author's intentions and the message she wanted to convey. It's also a good idea to choose a topic that is personally interesting and meaningful, as this will make the writing process more enjoyable and engaging.

Recommended “Desiree's Baby” Essay Topics

Themes and motifs.

• The theme of race and identity in "Desiree's Baby"
• The motif of secrecy and its impact on the characters
• The theme of love and its portrayal in the story
• The motif of motherhood and its significance in the narrative
• The theme of societal expectations and their effect on the characters

Character Analysis

• An analysis of Desiree's character and her role in the story
• The portrayal of Armand's character and his transformation throughout the narrative
• The significance of Madame Valmonde's character in the story
• The role of La Blanche in the narrative and her impact on the plot

Societal and Historical Context

• The portrayal of race and slavery in "Desiree's Baby" and its relevance to the time period
• The role of women in 19th-century society and its reflection in the story
• The impact of the Civil War on the characters and their actions
• The symbolism of the plantation and its connection to the historical context

Symbolism and Imagery

• An analysis of the significance of the L'Abri plantation in the story
• The symbolism of the bonfire and its connection to the plot
• The imagery of the baby's appearance and its impact on the characters
• The significance of the stone pillar and its symbolism in the narrative

Author's Intentions

• An exploration of Kate Chopin's intentions in writing "Desiree's Baby"
• The message the author wanted to convey through the story
• The significance of the story in the context of Chopin's body of work
• An analysis of the story's reception at the time of its publication

Race and Identity

• The theme of race in Desiree's Baby
• Racial identity and its impact on characters
• The significance of skin color in the story
• Racial prejudice and discrimination in 19th century Louisiana
• Desiree's mixed-race identity and its effects on her life

Gender and Power

• Gender roles and expectations in Desiree's Baby
• The portrayal of women in the story
• The power dynamics between characters
• The influence of patriarchy on the characters' decisions
• Desiree's agency and empowerment in the narrative

Social Class and Wealth

• The theme of social class in Desiree's Baby
• The impact of wealth on characters' relationships
• The contrast between the rich and the poor in the story
• The significance of plantation life in the narrative
• The effects of social status on characters' choices

Symbols and Motifs

• The significance of the L’Abri plantation as a symbol
• The motif of secrets and hidden truths in the story
• The role of clothing and appearance as symbols
• The symbolism of the Louisiana landscape in the narrative
• The use of irony and foreshadowing in the text

Morality and Ethics

• The moral dilemmas faced by characters in Desiree's Baby
• The theme of guilt and redemption in the story
• The ethical implications of Armand's actions
• The role of religion and morality in the narrative
• The consequences of societal expectations on characters' behavior

These essay topics provide a wide range of themes and ideas to explore in an analysis of Desiree's Baby, offering ample opportunities for in-depth research and critical discussion.

Foreshadowing in "Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin

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The Importance of The Distinction of Social Class and Racial Stability in The South in Desiree's Baby, a Short Story by Kate Chopin

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Exploring Social Prejudice and Identity in 'Desiree's Baby'

How does kate chopin use dramatic irony in "desiree's baby".

Kate Chopin

Short story

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