Racism In Desiree's Baby By Kate Chopin
In the short story “Desiree’s Baby” the author, and feminist Kate Chopin, views racism to still be prevalent, which she reveals through the setting and actions of the characters. Armand Aubigny, the coldest and proudest man in Louisiana, married Desiree, a woman that was nameless, however she was exceptionally beautiful and breathtaking. This is significant because it unfolds Armand’s persona to be very prideful, and selfish that he wanted to attain Desiree as a trophy regardless of her background. Although, Armand was arrogant, he softened upon the arrival of his son; his treatment of the slaves had become better. He was a proud father that knew his son would surely carry on the Aubigny’s legacy. Armand’s manner changed suddenly, he started
to be absent from his home in order to avoid Desiree and the baby, consequently his treatment of the slaves worsened. Although she could not believe it at first, Desiree had realized that the baby that she gave birth is a quadroon. Her husband himself confessed, “that the child is not white”, and that “he no longer loved her because of the unconscious injury she had bought upon his home and his name” (p.3). Kate Chopin intentionally personifies Armand to be a spirit of Satan, and not a human because he was cold-hearted just like the society during those times.
The author wrote this tragedy to shed a light on the terrible conditions and wrongdoings that were continually occurring in those times. The ending ties the entire story together because 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 her son did know about this truth (p.4). Kate Chopin purposely leaves this story with a tragic ending for the purpose of exposing the sickening and wrong acts of slavery and abuse. Through the
to be absent from his home in order to avoid Desiree and the baby, consequently his treatment of the slaves worsened. Although she could not believe it at first, Desiree had realized that the baby that she gave birth is a quadroon. Her husband himself confessed, “that the child is not white”, and that “he no longer loved her because of the unconscious injury she had bought upon his home and his name” (p.3). Kate Chopin intentionally personifies Armand to be a spirit of Satan, and not a human because he was cold-hearted just like the society during those times.
The author wrote this tragedy to shed a light on the terrible conditions and wrongdoings that were continually occurring in those times. The ending ties the entire story together because 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 her son did know about this truth (p.4). Kate Chopin purposely leaves this story with a tragic ending for the purpose of exposing the sickening and wrong acts of slavery and abuse. Through the