Sexism In Desiree's Baby By Kate Chopin

Natanael Gell

Prof. Liz Fritz

English 102

April 17, 2016

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Chopin’s story “Desiree’s Baby demonstrates many points of racism, sexism, prejudice and the perception of characters throughout the story. Throughout the story there are many examples of how Chopin relates to these topics in Desiree’s Baby. The setting plays a huge role throughout the story because it takes place during the time of the Civil War. This was a time where women weren’t allowed to speak their minds and had to follow whatever their husbands decided upon them.

Racism is a major topic throughout "Desiree's Baby", as the color of a person's skin is the main factor that determines the value of their life. In the story, Armand believed he was white and when

his son didn’t look white he assumed that his wife was part black. During that time Armand owned several slaves and for him to believe his wife was part black changed his whole mood towards her. The text states “The disruption culminates when Désirée, whom everyone considers white, has a baby boy who looks partly black. When she is rejected by her husband, Armand, she takes the infant, disappears into the bayou, and does not return” (Peel 224). The text above states that this is where Armand decided to chose race over the love of his wife. “Readers and critics see the story as a tragedy of racism, of the slave system. But in fact it is something much more specific: a tragedy of the African American woman. The condition of being black and female is much more debilitating than that of being black and male” (Shen 228). Shen is basically stating that African American women did not play role in that society so they had no control over their own livelihoods. There was also a huge difference between them and African American males during that time. In the story when Desiree comes to the conclusion that she is black and the baby's skin color comes from her she states, "You must know it is not true. I shall die. I must die. I cannot be so unhappy and live" (Chopin 244). As Desiree must face the fact that everyone is stating to her that she is black, she tries to deny what is becoming obvious. The fact that her life as a white woman was now instantly destroyed because the common nature of racism.
In the era Chopin wrote "Desiree's Baby" sexism was a major point in the lives of women, permitting them from being able to speak for themselves.

Chopin later reveals that Armand was the one who truly was of black dissent and he was the one who had passed those genes down to the baby. But Desiree who has all the right in the world to defend herself cannot simply because of her sex. She is accused of the "unconscious injury she had brought upon [Armand's] home and his name” (Chopin 905). Although Chopin states that Desiree is whiter than Armand and the baby, because of the setting of the story she cannot defend her honor in saying she isn’t black. Peel writes that, "Desiree is immersed in her husband's value system and never stands up to [Armand], not even to interpret the meaning of his dark skin"(235). Desiree knows that Armand is the main reason she even has a name for herself, as other women during this time were controlled by the names of their

husbands.
In Chopin's story Desiree is portrayed as being "nameless" but the only way she can be important to society is through her husband, Armand's name "who is of the oldest and proudest in Louisiana"(903). Desiree's background is quite unknown and therefore when her baby is
Identified as to be somewhat black the blame is immediately placed on her, giving Desiree no chance of implementing her own identity. Peel tells us that for Armand, his wife was basically a "screen onto which he could project what he desired" (229). In Desiree's time women were characterized through their husbands, with no chance of accomplishing the potential their life could reach because of there social binding. Husbands like Armand controlled Desiree's life in the way that would benefit only them the most in that society. Desiree's compelling predicament gives her no identity of herself apart from her husband, and after he neglects her, she considers her life isn’t worth living anymore.
In the story Chopin illustrates many examples of prejudice, such as the unfairness, and racial aspects of it. Although Armand is ruled by time and place, there is much more disturbing him that eventually permits him to harm his wife and own flesh. Throughout the story Armand is constantly accusing Desiree of being of black dissent. Just knowing some of her background he infers the genes from the baby come from her. At first his thought of her was “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" (Chopin 902). Then turned to Chopin stating “Moreover he no longer loved her, because of the unconscious injury she had brought upon his home and his name.” Thus with all this being said Armand went from truly loving Desiree to wanting nothing to do with her all because he decided to go with his ego instead of listening to voice of reason.
Foy also illustrates some interesting view points on how prejudice was portrayed throughout the story. Foy states “With racial prejudice and psychological confusion as the sources of cruelty, Armand has no choice but to turn from Desiree and the baby” (223). He is clearly acting out of passion when he just has a huge misunderstanding when dealing with this situation. Instead of acting rational he just makes things extremely worst for him, Desiree and the baby. In another findings of prejudice Mayer states “When Armand perceives his baby has black blood, he concludes—of course not realizing he is assuming—that Desiree is not white and rejects her” (95). He is stating that Armand is inferring that the baby’s blackness doesn’t come from him and in him doing so it portrays that inferences leads to tragedy in Desiree’s baby.
Throughout the story Chopin illustrates the perception on characters and such characters as Armand in Desiree’s Baby.

She shows how he is perceived in his community and the broad perspective of his character. There are many examples and opinions in of the way Chopin shows Armand’s character. Foy states “Contrasting his father’s easygoing and indulgent manner towards negroes with strict rule of Armand, Chopin warns of a tragic outcome but does not enlighten us until the very end” (223). This meaning that unlike Armand’s father who was cruel and heartless towards he slaves. Armand was more respecting and thoughtful towards them. Also Chopin leaves a bit of foreshadowing in the text above stating there well be a tragic outcome at the end of the play. Peel provides us with some background information as well as, interesting topics she states “The story takes place in an antebellum Creole community ruled by institutions based on apparently clear dualities: master over slave, white over black, and man over woman. Complacently deciphering the unruffled surface of this symbolic system, the characters feel confident that they know who belongs in which category and what signifies membership in each category” (224). In her statement she is stating that each character knows which role they place in society. Armand is a confident white male slave owner who is in control of the system of race, sex, and class at all times. In many instances I agree with “In "Desiree's Baby," Chopin

depicts Armand Aubigny as a cruel, arrogant man who, likely, would never admit he was wrong.” (Mayer 95). I agree with what Mayer states simply because it is true to the text. There were many points throughout the story where he may be wrong but during that time he had the power to overrule anything anyone said regardless if it was the truth. Throughout the story we have learned that Armand is always right, whatever he says goes, and he is not the reason why Desiree’s baby is partially black. Until Chopin drops a bomb at the end of the story which states “But above all,' she wrote. 'I thank the good God for having so arranged our lives that our dear Armand will never know that his mother, who adores him, belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery” (906). In instance, the tables have turned on Armand, not only was he wrong about the baby but he was wrong in pushing Desiree away because of his lack of judgment. Therefore, the perception of his character is blind, excessive pride and arrogance.