Desiree's Baby By Kate Chopin: Perception Of Identity

Perception of Identity Throughout the 1800s and 1900s, slanted perceptions concerning cultural diversity became a point of interest for individuals around the world, particularly the United States and Europe. Skewed beliefs of the general population manifested into inaccurate social stigmas, which resulted in isolation and discrimination of minorities. Likewise, the unfamiliarity of dissimilar cultures provoked a sense of discomfort among majorities, and individuals felt compelled to react towards minorities based on stereotypical views. Kate Chopin’s, “Désirée’s Baby,” Leslie Marmon Silko’s, “Lullaby,” and Art Spiegelman’s,“Maus,” expose the perceptions of identity through historical evidence and personal accounts of African Americans, Native

At the beginning of the story, Chopin depicts a young, naive couple, who, supposedly, share a common racial identity with one another. After meeting Désirée, Armand, the husband, falls madly in love with her. Although Armand is oblivious to Désirée’s heritage, he patiently awaits for her hand in marriage, regardless of her ancestry (421-422). Unnoticeably, Armand fails to reveal his own ancestry to Désirée. As the story progresses, Armand’s contained past becomes prevalent when Désirée gives birth to a baby boy with dark pigmented skin (422). The baby’s skin tone promotes confusion among family members, including Désirée. Months later, Armand mentions the baby’s skin tone to Désirée, suggesting that she is not fully white (423-424). Furthermore, the racial perceptions of Désirée and Armand display feelings of discomfort and isolation, conforming the majorities notion of

Moynihan argues, “Both essays find, moreover, that the contemporary memoirs emphasize the lived experience of race: that “although race is a fiction, it is still a fundamental element of American identity with real consequences” (qtd. in Washington and Nerad 87). The argument portrays race to be nonexistent, but essential for identifying and classifying American citizens. Additionally, the term, racial passing, can be connected to the history of African Americans and their inability to fit in with the predominant culture. According to Moynian, the term, racial passing, can be interpreted as a group of individuals who can identify with another race (1). Moynian’s interpretation of America’s racial passing exemplifies the unique social stigmas of the 1800s. Correspondingly, the discernment of race evolved into a fundamental tool to separate populations from one another, evoking a sense of disconnection among