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Journal of Translation, Literature and Linguistics
2023, VOL. 2, (1), 31-37
Received: 8 May 2023
Accepted: 17 May 2023
ISSN: 2979-9503
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Kate Chopin’s Desiree’s Baby: A New Historicist Approach
Yasemin Aşcı1
1 Asst. Prof. Dr., Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures, Program of Applied English
Translation, Çaycuma Vocational School, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Turkey,
yasemin.aydemir@beun.edu.tr, ORCID ID: orcid.org/0000-0002-2426-7338
Abstract
In this study, New Historicism, a contemporary literary theory, has been used to examine Kate
Chopin’s short story Desiree’s Baby. The author of this short story illustrates the racial
prejudice, insults directed at women, and social discrimination that existed in America in the
19th century. Thus fictitious characters and the fictional environment effectively depict the
historical aspects of this century. When Desiree’s Baby is analyzed in the context of this theory,
it is clear that the historical context of the time when the short story was written can be
visualized. This is because the new historicist viewpoint emphasizes that literary works are the
means to reach the historical and ideological conditions of a specific time. The objective of the
present study is to analyze Chopin’s short story using a New Historicist approach. To that end,
a literature review was used to compose the study and a qualitative research method was used.
It is clear from the short story being handled that a white person unable to have a child who
looks like a member of a different race. The place of a person in society is thus determined by
their origin, which is very important. Only white plantation owners who are affluent and of a
certain race are permitted to possess slaves. As a consequence of the study, it was discovered
that Chopin genuinely wrote about the reality of American society in the nineteenth century,
thereby accurately depicting historical facts.
Keywords: Desiree’s baby, new historicism, historical context, Kate Chopin, new historicist
approach
1. Introduction
Inequality of race and gender predominated in nineteenth-century American society, where
individuals of color were seen to be the only ones who could hold a position of servitude. The
literary works that depict this time period reflect the numerous forms of social inequality that
this century saw. Oppression was inevitable for both women of color and white or black women
since the white, wealthy men exploited their authority on black people. The oppressed people
lacked the freedom to act on their own, and a white man could not even conceive a black child
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since it would foster prejudice against him or his wife’s race. The oppressed people had no right
to act independently.
In her short story Desiree’s Baby, one of the most famous American writers of the 19th
century, Kate Chopin, depicts the prejudice, despising, and inequality that exist in American
society in the light of the aforementioned facts. Her short story illustrates historical details
from a period when slavery was pervasive. Oppression at the hands of the wealthy and white
was a reality, and the way the short story handled it made that truth quite evident. The objective
of the study is to illustrate historical aspects of the period when Desiree’s Baby was written
using a New Historicist perspective in the light of nineteenth-century truths and how these
truths were represented in literary works. Since the short story addresses issues of inequality,
prejudice and discrimination on the basis of race, it is thought that the New Historicist
approach is the appropriate theory to exemplify these issues in American society during the
nineteenth century.
2. New Historicism
The 1980s saw the emergence of New Historicism as a literary theory for modern era. The
proponents of this theory consider that understanding a piece of literature requires knowledge
of its historical setting. A literary text is not a stand-alone piece of literature; rather, it is linked
to everything that is part of the culture of a specific society and time. As Lyu states (2021, p.
1075), “new historicists pay more attention to the historical and cultural context of the literary
text.” In actuality, New Historicism views a literary work as a depiction of a worldview from a
certain time period. Literary works so serve as examples of both historical knowledge and
cultural change.
A literary work is comprehended by focusing “more on history that is nuanced, imbued
with emotion, and written from the perspective of ordinary people” (Hickling, 2018, p. 55) in
order to understand it as a product of its period. It is impossible to say that a literary work can
be understood in the same way regardless of the chronological period because cultural, social,
and political features of a particular moment and society are reflected through it. As Serdaroğlu
emphasizes (2017, p. 787), “New Historicism deconstructs and reconstructs the truth-ness of
history as well as its universal and traditional representation.” The world’s social existence is
investigated by New Historicism, which can be interpreted from several angles. “New
Historicism provides a representation or revisionism of historical facts based on the belief in
history as having a discursive nature underscoring power relations” (Ramadan, 2019, p. 32).
The notion that “events, places, and culture within a society affect or influence a written work”
is thus supported by the New Historicists (Mojdegani, 2016, p. 13).
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3. Kate Chopin and Desiree’s Baby
Kate Chopin, a notable American writer born in 1850, is well-known for her literary works,
particularly her novel The Awakening and short stories. “She began writing short stories
around 1890, using Creole settings and often the patois of her characters” (McInerny, 2005, p.
1). Chopin’s literary career ended in 1899, following criticism of her final novel. Most of her
literary works feature female heroines that are strong enough to deal with the evil surrounding
them. She seeks to demonstrate what females may do outside of their patriarchal society in
order to achieve independence, which piqued the interest of feminists. Chopin, according to
Al-Shalabi (2015, p. 277), “draws people’s attention to the restrictions that marriage imposes
on women. She seems to be saying that marriage divests women of their independence and
keeps them oppressed by men.” Chopin is particularly skillful in her description of women’s
survival in a male-dominated world because she is a literary character who illuminates “the
inner lives of sensitive, daring women” (Monika, 2020, p. 1).
Desiree’s Baby, one of the short stories, was written in 1897. It describes numerous forms
of racial and ethnic prejudice in nineteenth-century America. Furthermore, it depicts the
consequences of racial discrimination and the societal tensions that emerge from it. Desiree’s
Baby is also about love and rejection. It is made apparent that throughout the time period
depicted in the short story, there was no racial equality in the town, nor were there enough
rights for women. In addition, the short story depicts a class distinction. As Guo and Du (2021,
p. 28) point out, Desiree’s Baby clearly demonstrates the culture in America “in which racism
and gender discrimination penetrated into the fixed mindset of people”; thus, historical
context can aid comprehension of the theme and what is being told through the fictional
characters.
4. Method
A literature review was employed to compose the study, and the qualitative research method
was used to analyze of the literary work Desiree’s Baby. The study provides references that
support the New Historicist approach used to analyze the short story.
5. Analysis of Desiree’s Baby through New Historicist Approach
Kate Chopin’s short story Desiree’s Baby can be seen as a literary work that embodies the New
Historicists’ perspectives on literary works. While the advocates of New Historicism say that
literary works reflect the realities of a specific time period, they also imply that the authors
produce vital resources to reach certain aspects of the society in which she lived in. Similarly,
the aforementioned short story might be viewed as a resource that demonstrates the facts of
the time in which its author lived. In Desiree’s Baby, Desiree is Valmondes’ adopted daughter.
She falls in love with Armand, a wealthy Creole man. It is understandable that in the
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nineteenth-century America, a wealthy man has the right to marry anyone, even if she is an
adopted person. After having a child as a fruit of their love, Armand becomes glad as a
plantation owner who should perpetuate his ancestry with his race member. However, the
appearance of his son who looks like a black person, causes considerable prejudice on
Armand’s behalf as well as in the society. According to this point of view, anyone whose
ancestry is unknown can be subjected to the degradation of her unknown genealogy at that
time period.
Nobody can criticize the wealthy or question their lineage in this century. Desiree left her
husband’s house with her nameless child since a white person should not be of black descent.
Her husband discovers that he is partly black, which demonstrate the realty of the period that
even though a person is of white descent, they may have black parents. This is the issue of the
nineteenth-century American society where the rich and the people color of black lived
together in the same surroundings.
Oh, Armand is the proudest father in the parish, I believe, chiefly because it is a boy, to
bear his name; though he says not - that he would have loved a girl as well. But I know it
isn’t true. I know he says that to please me. And mamma, she added, drawing Madame
Valmonde’s head down to her, and speaking in a whisper, “he hasn’t punished one of
them - not one of them - since baby is born. Even Negrillon, who pretended to have burnt
his leg that he might rest from work - he only laughed, and said Negrillon was a great
scamp. Oh, mama, I’m so happy; it frightens me. (Chopin, 2000, p. 195)
As understood, during that time, women were expected to bear children and carry their
husbands’ significant names at the period. The whites are proud of their children, and this
pride influences how they treat their slaves. As Mayer also states (2010, p. 95), Chopin
demonstrates the character “Armand Aubigny as a cruel, arrogant man who likely would never
admit he was wrong. He is merciless with his slaves and his wife.” Even though Armand
mistreats his slaves, the significant problem of ancestry can have a favorable impact on this
treatment. Indeed, his pride in his race exemplifies both his ideology and the true ideology of
white race in the nineteenth-century America. From the standpoint of New Historicism, being
white and having offspring of white race is crucial, and it is a source of pride, because it is a
privilege to perpetuate a white man’s lineage. However, in Desiree’s Baby, it is seen that
Armand’s son appears to be of black descent, which forces the baby to live unnamed because
his father refuses to give the baby a name. Furthermore, because blacks are slaves, it is
impossible for a white to resemble a black who is born as a slave, exhibiting the ideology of the
historical period. This issue also demonstrates the irrefutable reality of racial discrimination
and disparity during the time period.
Fictional characters who are viewed as representatives of the real society of the
aforementioned century, are biased regarding the origin of Armand’s son, who is supposed to
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be white yet grows to resemble people of black descent. Even among black laborers on
plantations, racial prejudice becomes pervasive. Desiree’s mother also has doubt about the
baby remarking, “Yes, the child has grown, has changed” (Chopin, 2000, p. 194). At the time
period depicted in the short story, this had been considered a dreadful incident for both the
baby’s father and society.
In society in which Desiree lives, prejudice begins to differentiate whether her baby is the
result of her infidelity or her African ancestry. As a result, both scenarios will result in
unfavorable outcomes for a nineteenth-century white man. This is the reality of the society and
time, as portrayed by the fictional figure, Armand. Desire being a female in patriarchal society,
is aware that women did not have equal rights at the time and that whatever males said should
have been agreed upon. “It means,” he answered lightly, “that the child is not white; it means
that you are not white” (Chopin, 2000, p. 196). As stated by the male character, having black
ancestors or having a black baby was considered as a threat to society at the time, especially by
those who were white and wealthy.
When she could hold a pen in her hand, she sent a despairing letter to Madame
Valmonde. “My mother, they tell me I am not white. Armand has told me I am not white.
For God’s sake tell them it is not true. You must know it is not true. I shall die. I must
die. I cannot be so unhappy, and live.” (Chopin, 2000, p. 196)
As pointed out above, Desiree feels oppressed and wishes for assistance from her
stepmother. The short story effectively depicts prejudice towards a female’s race. The
subjugation of women in the nineteenth-century is unbearable. Gender disparity existed in
patriarchal society. “Do you want me to go?” “Yes, I want you to go” (Chopin, p. 197). As stated,
Desiree faced rejection. When being analyzed from the New Historicist viewpoint, it is seen
that women did not have the right to object to the terrible side of society throughout the
nineteenth century in America. Furthermore, gender discrimination was unavoidable. Despite
accusing his wife of racism, Armand discovers the truth about himself.
“But above all,” she wrote, “night and day, 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.” (Chopin, p. 198)
As stated by Armand’s mother, she was also of black heritage, which was associated with
slavery at those times. His mother didn’t want her son to learn about his real origin including
both white and black. In the South, a plantation owner could not be black. When look from the
New Historicist perspective, it is clear that the affluent white man who owns a plantation could
not any relationship with any slave of a different race. As a result, the truth about the lineage
could not be revealed in the hands of a prejudiced society. When Armand is compared to his
father, one can observe that he treats his wife completely differently. After realizing his son’s
skin color, Armand despises Desiree and the baby. He would rather lose his wife and child than
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tell the truth as a representation of nineteenth-century American culture. The short story thus
powerfully portrays the depravity and inhumanity of the period.
6. Conclusion
When analyzed from the perspective of the New Historicism, Kate Chopin’s Desiree’s Baby
reveals the themes that are the realities of the nineteenth-century society, the age in which the
author of the short story also lived. Desiree seems to be a female representative of her time.
Because there is slavery at the time, and the slaves are of black descent, the nameless baby is
rejected by wealthy father. Indeed, Desiree and her husband suffer from societal biases. The
insecurity of the racist culture of nineteenth-century America can be seen through Desiree’s
Baby.
It is clear that Desiree’s Baby portrays the historical fact of the time in which it was
written. In this short story, the white ones have both wealth and power. Armand, a white and
wealthy individual, despises the people of color who labor as slaves on their owner’s plantation.
He refuses to accept the baby whose skin color resembles that of people of color as his son.
Chopin’s intense exploration of the themes of the importance of race and inequality in
nineteenth-century America is thus an undeniable reality.
As stated by advocates of the New Historicism, any literary work is a representation of
its time period. In this context, it is obvious that Desiree’s Baby accurately portrays the status
of women and people of color during the writing period in this setting. This short story is a
reflection of its time because the era in which it was written has an effect on it. The racial
disparity, gender discrimination and also racial prejudice that are historical facts at the time,
are visualized through the short story. When the opinions and beliefs of members of society
are taken into account, Desiree’s Baby demonstrates that racial concern can be greater than
love. Men hold a greater position, and women are easily accused of anything, even if it is false.
By divulging these issues, not only historical information on society but also the ideology of the
people at the time, which can be seen as the true components of history, are demonstrated. As
a result, it is considered that Kate Chopin’s short story directly reflects themes that illustrate
the true ideology and position of the individuals who lived in the American society of the
nineteenth century.
Disclosures
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
References
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