Désirée’s BabyKate Chopin

Désirée’s BabyKate Chopin

The author A forerunner of feminist authors. Two short story collections: Bayou Folk (1894) an

d A Night in Acadie (1897). “Some of [Chopin's] work is equal to the best that

has been produced in France or even in America. [She displayed] what may be described as a native aptitude for narration amounting almost to genius.” (Fred Lewis Pattee, 1915)

Background The idea of slavery and the atmosphere of

plantation life was a reality in Louisiana. The possibility of one having a mixed background was not unheard of. Mulattos, those with both black and white backgrounds, were a common race in the Southern part of the nation. The issue of racism that the story brings up was an indispensable truth in 19th century America.

Désirée’s BabyKate Chopin

Literary classification The fact that the story leaves the moral statement

up to the reader would suggest that it is of naturalism, but the fairytale-like elements of the love story are inconsistent with either naturalism or realism. Furthermore the atmosphere of the story and the characterization of Armand create gothic undertones.

Désirée’s BabyKate Chopin

Themes The themes include: American slavery, miscegen

ation, and the difficulty of assigning race. It could also be argued that the story is a work of early feminism.

The story also seems to be a transposition of De Maupassant's "The Story of A Farm Girl."

Désirée’s BabyKate Chopin

Analysis Cynthia Griffin Wolf: The vision in all of Chopin’s

best fiction is consummately interior, and it draws for strength upon her willingness to confront the bleak fact of life’s tenuous stabilities.

The short story not only confronts the racial issues that took place during the time of slavery but also draws upon the reader’s emotions to experience how people thought during that time period.

Désirée’s BabyKate Chopin

Characterization Kate Chopin brought attention to the racial issues

that existed during the times of slavery and introduced the two main characters in the story, Désirée and Armand, and creates many symbolisms, ironies, and themes seen throughout the story.

Désirée’s BabyKate Chopin

Symbolism The first major symbolism seen continuously

throughout the story is that of light and dark. Irony plays a big part in the story.

This story obviously identifies racial issues, but more than that the story allows the reader to see that Armand is as much a slave as the actual slaves that he controls.

Désirée’s BabyKate Chopin

Further readings The Awakening, 1899 (novel). Grand Isle, 1991 (film directed by Mary Lambert,

based on The Awakening).

Désirée’s BabyKate Chopin