Desiree's Baby Thesis

“I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naïve or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman.” Anais Nin wrote this quote. This quote symbolizes what Desiree’ thought she had in a husband until he disappointed her by kicking her out of the house upon the realization that their son had black in him. This was a big deal for a wealthy Caucasian man during the 19th century due to the fact that he had a status to uphold. Desiree’ had to obey by his rules and leave as he commanded. Kate Chopin wrote Desiree’s Baby in 1893. During this time period, the rights of Caucasian women were completely different from today. Their roles within society during that time differed within the households, and with their ability to work, own property, vote, and various other things. This disabled women from having a voice even making, what we would call today, easy everyday decisions. Armand Aubigny was a husband, father, landowner, and an owner of slaves. This was a common status of a wealthy Caucasian man during this time period. This status meant that his wife, Desiree’ was not allowed to participate in much. Mostly just expected to make children and tend to whatever the husband needed.

Normally men who were wealthy married women from wealthy families who usually were not educated past grade school and lived with their parents until they were married. This cycle continued until about the late 19th century. Those who could or needed to work worked as teachers, writers, domestic workers or factory workers. Becoming a doctor or lawyer was almost unheard of due to the laws created to prevent advancement from happening. In today’s society, women may have to work harder but they are definitely more equal to men than in past