Jose F. Martinez
Professor Jane Focht-Hansen
English 1302.049

Desiree’s Baby
In the short story Desiree's Baby, Kate Chopin reveals her idea of the relationship between men and women by showing instances of inferiority and superiority throughout the story. Chopin writes about the importance of social status and the importance of race versus love, family, dignity, pride and honor. In addition, the story is an example of what Armand the husband of Desiree, was capable of and willing to give up in order to conserve his authority in a society. Moreover, it’s also about race and the difference between being born black or white. It is also about discrimination towards Blacks and slavery in America. Desiree's Baby opens with a brief explanation of how Desiree became married to Armand Aubigny, a plantation owner in Louisiana, whose extreme racism causes him to mistreat his slaves. As a toddler, Desiree was left at the home of Madame Valmonde, who immediately took her in and fell in love with her. It was eighteen years later than Armand first saw and fell in love with Desiree. Upon getting married, Armand's love for Desiree and the birth of his son, he overcomes his discrimination that he learns to treat his slaves with kindness. When Desiree notices the dark skin of her baby boy and comparing that to another boy on the plantation, she then brings it to the attention of Armand and what would like to know what it means. Armand questions his wife's heritage and even accuses his wife