Overview
In her short story “Desiree’s Baby,” Chopin uses character development, symbolism, and setting to convey the themes of identity, race, power, and oppression. Thus, it is possible to examine how Desiree evolves throughout the story as racial stereotypes affect her.
Character Development
At first, she is a poor, unknown baby who is accepted and loved by a wealthy white couple (Chopin, 1893). The girl grows into a kind, naïve, and sincere person, reflecting her adoptive parents’ pure ideas about race and identity (Chopin, 1893). However, as she gets under the ruinous impact of the house and her racist husband, Desiree changes dramatically. She is so ashamed of being suspected of belonging to blacks that she prefers to ruin herself and the child. This reflects how some people choose their partners based on nationality and skin color rather than inner beauty.
Symbolism
Furthermore, in relation to symbolism, the baby’s appearance and the plantation setting suggest a struggle between prejudice and love. Initially, notwithstanding the baby’s skin color, Desiree loves her son and is naively happy until she sees her husband being cold (Chopin, 1893). The differing attitudes of the parents demonstrate that love cannot always prevail over stereotypes, and the child’s appearance symbolizes the power of social influence over genuine feelings.
Setting
As for the plantation setting, it represents the unhappiness of the people who work there: “It was a sad-looking place, which for many years had not known the gentle presence of a mistress” (Chopin, 1893, p. 2). Additionally, it is a symbol of the lack of meaning behind racism because in the same house, one black child works, and another lives in wealth; one white woman is a servant, and another is a mistress.
Modern Relevance
Fortunately, nowadays people are more tolerant; however, some still fall prey to society’s adverse effects and let their prejudices outweigh their love for others. The plantation is controlled by a male who is not white but believes he is, and thinks this makes him higher and better than others. This topic refers to contemporary issues of females supporting violent aspects of patriarchy or racial minorities not willing to fight against racism.
Reference
Chopin, K. (1893). Desiree’s baby. Short Stories.