Kate Chopin Desiree's Baby Thesis

“A man who stands for nothing will fall for nothing.” The African american race, as many other people have faced many challenges and has been through many struggles and oppression. These events in history have fostered a sense of pride, and for some people a sense of hate. To begin with, racism, pride and hate, intertwines when referring to a period in the American history known as the Antebellum Era. This period in American history, was a period genereally considered to be a period before the Civil War and after the War of 1812. In this era, white men had complete control over their spouses and many southern residents owned slaves. As a matter of fact, in Kate Chopin’s “Desiree’s Baby”, Chopin dissects the ideology of southern

In time Madame Valmonde abandoned every speculation but the one that Desiree had been sent to her by a beneficent Providence to be the child of her affection, seeing that she was without child of the flesh”. Since Madame Valdemont wasn't able to conceive a baby, she believes that finding a baby in her doorsteps was a blessing sent to her. Furthermore, during this period in history, some found extreme to leave a baby on a doorsteps of a family to provide a better life. Particularly if one was a single parent which couldn't provide a proper life for the child. In the beginning of the story, Desiree was left on a stone pillar at the Valdemonde Mansion; it also says that Armand sees her and falls in love with

As a matter of fact, “Desiree’s Baby”, depicts the way in which gender and economic inequalities of mid 19th century southern society, effected the lives of many women and people of color. In the beginning of the story, Chopin talks about the L’Abri plantation, owned by Armand Augbiny and says, "young Aubigny's rule was a strict one, too, and under it his Negroes had forgotten how to be gay, as they had been during the old master's easy-going and indulgent lifetime" (Chopin). This shows Augbiny’s arrogance and indifference towards his slaves. Augbiny’s treatment of the slaves as a possessions rather than human beings, reveal that he had no consideration for people of color. Desire although white, is treated as a possession. Armand basically buys and controls her by providing fine clothes and gifts for her, and is able to give a name and a social identity through marriage as well take these away if he desires. Moreover, it is Armand who provides her with the power to have a black nurse, Zandrine, care for her baby providing her with a good