Désirée's Baby by Kate Chopin (1893)
The story revolves around a young woman of mixed heritage who marries a wealthy plantation owner. She gives birth to a dark-skinned child, which leads her husband to question the paternity and ultimately reject her. The narrative explores themes of racism, identity, and the societal pressures that lead to tragic consequences.
By Kate Chopin · First published 1893 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Southern Gothic · 2,582 words
Editions
First lines
As the day was pleasant, Madame Valmondé drove over to L'Abri to see Désirée and the baby.
It made her laugh to think of Désirée with a baby. Why, it seemed but yesterday that Désirée was little more than a baby herself; when Monsieur in riding through the gateway of Valmondé had found her lying asleep in the shadow of the big stone pillar.
What this Textopian page supports
Désirée's Baby is listed on Textopian as a short story by Kate Chopin, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Kate Chopin
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Southern Gothic, Tragedy, Short Story
- Length: 2,582 words
- Structure: 1 section, 48 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Désirée's Baby by Kate Chopin
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
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- Ripe Figs by Kate Chopin
- The Dream Of An Hour by Kate Chopin
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, race, and societal norms through rich character development and nuanced prose.
- Historical Fiction — Set in antebellum Louisiana, it reflects the historical context of race relations and social hierarchies of the time.
- Southern Gothic — The story incorporates elements of the Southern Gothic tradition, including themes of decay, social issues, and the supernatural.
- Tragedy — The narrative culminates in a tragic conclusion, highlighting the devastating effects of prejudice and personal conflict.
Tags
Racism · Slavery · Southern Gothic · Tragic Love Story · Infidelity · Secrets · Deception · Social Hierarchy · Class Conflict · Marriage · Family Dynamics · Motherhood