Desiree's baby is a story marked by prejudice, selfishness, and dependancy, a story that subtly unveils some of the uglier facets of human character. Desiree, an abandoned baby left to die in L"abri, France, is luckily found by a wealthy French family who gave her all the affection her biological parents couldn't. Her ensuing maturation yields beauty that wins her the love of Armand, a wealthy land owner in the deep south, whom she marries. Desiree's marriage to Armand had a seemingly formidable foundation until speculation prompted by the dark skin color of their baby ignites Armand; speculation that ultimately led to Desiree's demise. .
Desiree's prejudice and racist attitude towards blacks reveal what a shallow an individual she was. When Armand accuses her of being black, she is confounded, reduced to a "silent, white and motionless"person . She became so distraught over her skin color and her husband's disgust toward it, that she left him with his consent, disappearing with her three month old infant among the reeds and willows.along the banks of the sluggish bayou; and she did not come back again. .
Selfishness is another trait that plagued Desiree. Though her emotional distress over her husband's accusation could've been understandable, her decision to take both her life and the life of her baby was irrational. Had Desiree given time and thought to the matter, she possibly would've overcome the duress she experienced. .
This brings us to another questionable trait of desiree, a trait that may have been prevalent in aristocratic women like herself during the late 19th century in the deep south. Desiree evidently didn't think for herself, for she contemplates leaving Armand after his accusation, yet doesn't do so without his explicit approval. Her dependancy on her husband also is something to take note of. When he (Armand) frowned, she trembled.When he smiled, she asked no greater blessing of G-d.
