1. "Desiree's Baby" is considered an example of Howellsian realism, following the style of William Dean Howells. Explain this concept and discuss how Chopin effectively portrays ordinary individuals dealing with everyday problems.

2. Select one of Chopin's other stories, such as "A Lady of Bayou St. John" or "La Belle Zoraide," and compare and contrast the treatment of love and devotion in that story with "Desiree's Baby." Address the following question: "Is devotion to an ideal more fulfilling than love itself?"

3. Define irony and analyze how Chopin's use of irony in "Desiree's Baby" deepens the reader's understanding of the story's themes.

4. Investigate the changes in the political landscape for women in the years following the Civil War. What political decisions were made that helped women move beyond their traditional roles of servitude?

5. In "Desiree's Baby," Chopin employs imagery to characterize Armand and Desiree. Examine the different types of imagery she uses (such as biblical references and color) and discuss their symbolic meanings.

6. Write a paper exploring the forms of bondage resulting from racism and sexism. Include historical facts and political decisions that have aimed to address and correct longstanding racial and gender inequalities.

7. It seems that Chopin often focused on a woman's search for identity in her works. Using Desiree as a representation of the woman on this quest, discuss the various ways Chopin addresses this theme.

8. Research the role of Southern aristocratic white women during the era of slavery. How were they treated? How did they perceive themselves? What values and beliefs about their roles shaped their lives?