Character Development In Desiree's Baby By Kate Chopin

The Baby’s Parents In a period, such as the antebellum, a multitude of factors shaped the lives of men and women. Movements for abolition caused tensions in the south for slaves and large farmers, while the women’s suffrage movement began to alter the roles of women in America. In "Desiree 's Baby", Chopin illustrates how race, social conformity and gender roles are themes that dictate the character development of Armand and Desiree. In This story, Armand is a highly dynamic character, and his actions are heavily dependent upon racial conflict. This internal conflict is seen throughout the story and it affects his relationship with his slaves as well as his wife, Desiree. Attention is brought to his attitude towards his slaves when Desiree states, "he hasn 't punished one of them-not one of them since the baby is

Desiree’s loss of identity as a wife is one clear example within the reading. Near the beginning of her story, Chopin alludes to this when she states, “what does it matter about a name when he could give her the oldest and proudest in Louisiana” (81). This implies that upon marriage Desiree will lose her identity and become “Armand’s wife”. Furthermore, this prevailing gender inequality is also seen in Desiree’s submissive nature. When Chopin describes the change in Armand’s character she says, “which she dared not ask him to explain” (82); showing the non-confrontational attitude coming from Desiree. Additional evidence is provided when Desiree receives the letter from Valmonde and instead of just leaving, she took the letter to Armand and asks for his approval. This is important statement and the most evident form of her submissive role in the marriage. Because he is the man of the house she must ask his permission for just about anything: In this case she even feels that she needs permission to