Into the Bayou: Ashamed and Disgraced In the short story “Desiree’s Baby” the author, and feminist Kate Chopin, views racism as prevalent, which she reveals through the setting and actions of the characters. Armand Aubigny, “the oldest and proudest man in Louisiana”, marries Desiree, a woman who was nameless, however, she is exceptionally beautiful and breathtaking. This is significant because it unfolds Armand’s persona as prideful, and selfish that he attains Desiree as a trophy regardless of her background. Although Armand is arrogant, he softens upon the arrival of his son; his treatment of the slaves becomes better. He is a proud father that knows his son would surely carry on the Aubigny’s legacy. Armand’s manner changes suddenly, he …show more content…
In the end, Armand realizes through a letter that his mother wrote to Armand’s father declaring that she “belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery”, which she was thankful that …show more content…
Kate Chopin aspires to change the perspective of others that believe that a certain race and gender are of higher superiority. The issue is much simpler to understand that genetic inheritance is a natural biological process that cannot be decided depending on the mother’s genes, but the father’s genes as well. Social Darwinism has persisted successfully for several generations, which has brainwashed many to believe that only the fittest can survive and the rest will suffer. This idea is very similar to white supremacy, which promotes a hierarchy, and that most people tend to believe. The concepts of Social Darwinism and white supremacy relates to the short story because it shows how Armand was a victim of societal norms, which principled racism. Armand let his pride and name corrupt him; he did not care to listen to his wife or have the knowledge that he is the son of a woman, who is of