Désiree's Baby Feministism Analysis

During the 1800s there were several social aspects that influenced the oppression of women. Women were expected to take care of all domestic responsibilities and be a loving wife. They were prohibited from getting an education and had no rights in the public sphere. Women were also not allowed to own property, sign contracts, or vote. Kate Chopin was an American writer in the 1800s who wrote several short stories demonstrating the ways women were oppressed. Her work, along with other women writers, was not recognized until the Women’s Feminist movement in the 1960s. After this movement, women’s literary work began to be published. Many of these women wrote about how they were treated like property and were denied rights given to men. Kate Chopin’s short stories, “A Pair of Silk Stockings”, and “Désiree’s Baby” examine the oppressive gender roles of the 1800s throughout the themes of marital status, appearance, race, and motherhood. …show more content…
In the short story, “Désirée’s Baby”, Désirée experienced her life as the property of her husband. This type of relationship was typical in that time period. In Korb’s analysis, she emphasizes Désirée’s position in her marriage. She states “her lack of identity is underscored by his treatment of her as a possession instead of a beloved human partner”. (Korb 79) Armand believed he was giving Desiree the gift of identity. “ He was reminded that she was nameless. What did it matter about a name when he could give her one of the oldest and proudest in Louisiana?” ( Chopin 190) The character Desiree portrays the overall effect of marital