Throughout the literary world in the early 20th century, no one had quite ventured into the heavy topics that were seen far too often in society- topics such as sexism, racism, and hypocrisy. Kate Chopin dared to change this. Having suffered through the death of her husband, Chopin looked for an outlet to relieve her depression. She began to write about topics seen as extremely vulgar and controversial during the early 1900s. One of her works, Desiree’s Baby, illustrates some of the worst emotions that humans manage to suppress, such as anger, blame, and greed. In Desiree's Baby, Chopin’s colorful use of characterization provides readers with a clear assessment of the darkness and falseness that can lie under what seems to be love; by using
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Women were viewed as less than men more often during the late 1800s, the time period for the story. Almost immediately after the story starts, we see this when Desiree says Armand would not have loved their child had the child been a girl, stating “ (he says)...that he would have loved a girl as well. But I know it isn't true…” (2). This is likely because there would not be a ‘strong male’ capable of carrying on the family name. In addition to potentially have shunned his offspring, Armand immediately thinks Desiree is at fault when he realizes his child is black. Without a second thought he allows Desiree to fret over her skin tone stating, “Look at my hand; whiter than yours, Armand” (3). Desiree also stays home with their child while Armand goes out to work. Although this maybe wasn't considered sexist at the time, the reason for women always staying in the home was because men thought women were incapable of doing everyday work that men did, whether it be working in a workshop or working in a field. These points draw out obvious sexism in Desiree's Baby. This is crucial to the construction of the story’s setting; without it, Desiree could have potentially become independent and raised the child on her own. However, she felt that without Armand wanting her, she was
Women were viewed as less than men more often during the late 1800s, the time period for the story. Almost immediately after the story starts, we see this when Desiree says Armand would not have loved their child had the child been a girl, stating “ (he says)...that he would have loved a girl as well. But I know it isn't true…” (2). This is likely because there would not be a ‘strong male’ capable of carrying on the family name. In addition to potentially have shunned his offspring, Armand immediately thinks Desiree is at fault when he realizes his child is black. Without a second thought he allows Desiree to fret over her skin tone stating, “Look at my hand; whiter than yours, Armand” (3). Desiree also stays home with their child while Armand goes out to work. Although this maybe wasn't considered sexist at the time, the reason for women always staying in the home was because men thought women were incapable of doing everyday work that men did, whether it be working in a workshop or working in a field. These points draw out obvious sexism in Desiree's Baby. This is crucial to the construction of the story’s setting; without it, Desiree could have potentially become independent and raised the child on her own. However, she felt that without Armand wanting her, she was