In Kate Chopin's "Desiree's Baby," Armand, Desiree, and their child hold a degree of power based on race, and family background. Armand for example, sustains great power over the slaves at his father's plantation. His family name and racial status allow him to hold such a position. Chopin writes, "Young Aubigny's rule was a strict one, too, and under it his Negroes had forgotten how to be gay." Likewise, the people around Desiree enable her to have certain privileges until she is abandoned for a second time. Desiree's power subsides with the uncertainty of her family background. Unfortunately, the innocent child's bright future comes to a halt with the discovery of his mixed race. At a given point in each of the character's lives, social identity allows them to have a certain degree of power that is subject to change.

Desiree is abandoned as a child and nameless until the Valmonde family enters her life. A child of an uncertain future fell into the hands of a loving and caring family. Desiree rose to higher status by becoming part of the Val monde family. Chopin states, "For the girl grew to be beautiful and gentle, affectionate and sincere, --the idol

The family name Aubigny is "one the oldest and proudest in Louisiana." Unlike his father, Armand uses his family name to his advantage by enforcing strict power throughout the plantation. Armand's powerful image is the outcome of having a dominant and respected family name. His strict rule soon dwindles with the birth of his child. Desiree states, "He only laughed when Negrillon pretended to have burnt his leg that he might rest from work." He is the proudest father in the parish until he notices his child's race. Armand is a man of true power and did not imagine he is the cause of the seemingly impossible. Armand knew the child's color will destroy the family name. As a result, he made a mistake and used his power by putting all the blame on his wife's uncertain background. It is a mistake, because he found a letter that reveals his true identity. His mother states in the letter, "I thank the good God for having so arranged our lives that our dear Armand will never know that his mother, who adores him, belongs to the race that is cursed with the brand of slavery." Armand is a man of power and will react by keeping this all a secret. What he did to Desiree and his child will affect him to a certain degree, but it will not affect his power on the plantation. After a while he will realize what he did to his family. He will regret his actions and appreciate what he had at one time. No problems will arise because of the letter being a secret, but he has to face a future of sadness and remorse. Armand's identity will stay strong in the plantation and he will hold the same power as he did before.

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of Valmonde." Her beauty soon struck Armand, and h

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Approximate Word count = 1181
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)