The miscegenation and racism that Kate Chopin's short story "Desiree's Baby" centers on gave rise to a bold work by a 19th-century writer. These central themes are also connected to the story's setting, symbolism, and references to sexism, all interconnected in one way or another. Indeed, it is Chopin's manipulation of setting and use of careful and progressively changing descriptions that make the sociological content of his narrative particularly prominent and powerful. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Since "Desiree's Child" begins with a flashback, readers are given a brief but detailed introduction to Desiree's background, which only begins when she is found as a child by Monsieur Valmonde “at the gates” of his estate. This “gate” with its “great stone pillar” plays a significant role in the construction of the story. Not only is it the place where Desiree was found, but it is also the very place where Armand Aubigny falls in love with her eighteen years later. This “door” therefore symbolizes the beginning of significant changes in Desiree's life; it can be deduced as an opening to another phase of her life, such as her first entry into the Valmonde family and subsequently married life with Armand Aubigny. Aubigny's villa, L'Abri, is also introduced with vivid descriptions outlining its daunting appearance. Although the word L'Abri in French means "the refuge", the villa is described to resemble all images related to death, so it is likely that the villa is intended to represent "the refuge" of the afterlife. The mere sight makes Madame Valmonde “shiver”; and in its defense, L'Abri is described as “a sad looking place”, very similar to the notion of a funeral or cemetery, as they are the common “sad” places that would make one tremble. Furthermore, the striking comparison of the steep roof with that of a black "hood" gives the impression of Death's hood, and the "thick-leaved, far-reaching branches" of the nearby "large, solemn oaks" are depicted as "shadow" the house "like a cloth", that is, a covering placed over the coffins. All of these ominous descriptions allude to both the disturbing elements that exist within the mansion and the inevitable death that awaits the protagonist. Through this house that symbolizes death and desolation, Kate Chopin reveals the "imperious and demanding nature" of the owner - which is one of the aspects symbolized by L'Abri's disturbing appearance, along with Desiree's affectionate and sincere passive nature. “When he [Armand] frowned, she [Desiree] trembled, but she loved him. When she smiled, she did not ask the greater God for blessing”: these sentences establish the relationship between the two, highlighting the markedly inferior ways of Desiree who treats Armand as a being worthy of taking as much as he wants while she simply gives without asking for anything. in exchange. This shows that Desiree is behaving according to the role assigned at the time of a woman completely subservient to her husband, the dominant white man, who has the right to behave as he wishes without worrying about his wife's feelings. This sexist insinuation is emphasized when Armand's behavior changes from that of a loving husband to a hostile and antagonistic one. “He walked away from home…without apology,” and despite this personality change that causes Desiree to be “miserable enough to die”; “he didn't dare ask him for explanations”. It describes the position of the 19th century wife who, despite her problems, had no right to question her husband's actions or confront him about them..