In Kate Chopin's captivating short story, "Desiree's Baby," she exhibits prejudice and racism in Louisiana during the nineteenth century. The racism in the story is not discussed openly but is prudently mixed in with Armand's appalling character and his evil soul. In this short story, there is no doubt that Armand treats Desiree wrongly as he forsakes his loving wife and infant son, driving them to suicide, by reason that he claims Desiree is black. This only is rebounded upon him as he discovers he is the one guilty of having African American ancestry. Nevertheless, this story is also one of love: from maternal love, to a wife's love and devotion to her estranged husband. .
During this period, some found it tolerable to leave a baby on the doorsteps of a family to provide a chance at a better life. It becomes important further into the story that when Desiree was found near the front gate it had meant that Desiree would probably never be aware of her biological parents ancestry. Nonetheless, Desiree grew into a beautiful and gentle-hearted young woman and soon found a wealthy suitor asking for her hand. This young suitor had known of Desiree's unknown ancestry, but fell so deeply in love with her that he wasn't concerned about her past. This suitor, Armand Aubigny was racist, but Desiree had fallen in love with him and looked past this flaw in his character. The concept of young Armand falling instantly in love after seeing Desiree standing by the gate is a bit suspicious and sounds more like infatuation, which foreshadowed tribulations to come.
Armand had changed to a kinder man after his marriage and the birth of his son and it may have been the only time in his life he was truly happy. Madame Valmonde, Desiree's maternal figure, is the first to notice that the baby is that of color. When she sees him for the first time and exclaims, "This is not the baby," Desiree thinks that she is referring to how big the baby has grown.