Desiree's Baby | Themes

Race and Racism
The themes of race and racism are integral to ‘‘Désirée's Baby,’’ for prevailing ideas of Chopin's time that African Americans were inferior to whites leads to the destruction of Désirée and her baby. Armand is confident in the superiority of his lineage and his race. He comes from ''one of the oldest and proudest [families] in Louisiana.’’ Armand conducts himself in a way typical of the cruel master of southern legend. In marked contrast to his father, he rules his slaves strictly, and Désirée's delight in his initial good mood after the...

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