Race, Identity, and Assumption in Chopin's "Désirée's Baby"

Introduction: Perception and Identity in Désirée's Baby

"Désirée's Baby" is an 1892 story by Kate Chopin that examines how the Aubigny family falls apart due to assumptions and misunderstandings. In the story, Désirée, an orphan whose parentage is unknown and whom the Valmonde family lovingly raises, marries Armand Aubigny, a man whose father comes from a prominent family. Désirée eventually gives birth to Armand's son, who later becomes the cause for Armand to banish Désirée from their home, as the child appears to have been fathered by a man who is not white. While Armand operates under the assumption that Désirée is not entirely white — because no one knows who her parents are, or because he suspects she may have had an adulterous affair — he does not consider that he himself may be the reason his child is not entirely white. In "Désirée's Baby," the consequences of perception, assumption, and identity in relation to social status and race are highlighted through Chopin's use of imagery and symbolism.

Perception and Its Influence on Characters

In "Désirée's Baby," perceptions heavily influence Armand's attitude toward Désirée before and after their marriage, and after she gives birth to their son. While Désirée's biological parentage is unknown — and people often speculated "she had been purposely left by a party of Texans, whose canvas-covered wagon, late in the day, had crossed the ferry that Coton Maïs kept, just below the plantation" — Armand had no objections to his bride before they were married (Chopin). The upbringing Désirée experienced at the hands of the Valmondes allowed her to present herself as an upstanding member of the community and a suitable wife, making her, in essence, "the idol of Valmonde" (Chopin). Likewise, Armand is considered to come from a reputable family because of his father's background and heritage. Furthermore, because Armand's skin color is light, others perceive him to be white, and he is thus instilled with authority based on his family name.

Armand also attempts to shape how others perceive him through his behavior toward his child. Désirée contends: "Oh, Armand is the proudest father in the parish, I believe, chiefly because it is a boy, to bear his name; though he says not — that he would have loved a girl as well. But I know it isn't true. I know he says that to please me" (Chopin). Because Armand carries himself as though nothing is wrong with their child, Désirée does not perceive her baby as a threat to their marriage.

Symbolism and Imagery in Désirée's Banishment

Chopin also shapes how these characters are perceived by the reader through her deliberate use of symbolism and imagery. Désirée's banishment from the Aubigny plantation, for instance, carries heightened meaning through these literary devices. Chopin writes:

Désirée had not changed the thin white garment nor the slippers which she wore. Her hair was uncovered and the sun's rays brought a golden gleam from its brown meshes. She did not take the broad, beaten road which led to the far-off plantation of Valmonde. She walked across a deserted field, where the stubble bruised her tender feet, so delicately shod, and tore her thin gown to shreds.