Role of Women in Society

Kate Chopin analyzes this restricted view from a critical angle. In her stories, Chopin describes how this condition that has been taken to be the societal norm has not only affected women but also how they view marriage and life in general (Wolff 123). This paper will compare and contrast two works by Kate Chopin. Desiree’s Baby In the narrative “Desiree’s Baby,” Kate demonstrates how the racial and social prejudice that has dominated the society has affected Desiree. Desiree exists in a society where the ultimate life goal of any lady was marriage. Furthermore, he accuses Desiree of belonging to the mixed blood category. He no longer is in love with her for the fact that she knowingly brought shame and agony to his home (Chopin 245).

Desiree was adopted by the Valmondae family when she was still a child and consequently cannot deny this allegation due to her unclear origin. When Armand, Desiree’s husband chases her away from his home, she becomes stranded as she does not know where to go. She is unable to imagine her life without her husband (Chopin 245). She perceives marriage to be confinement, a battle between a husband and his wife. Consequently, she is dissatisfied with the restrictions imposed on her for being a wife. Mallard believes that her end of the marriage obligations will give her the much-needed freedom to pursue her desires. Thus, when she hears of the news that her husband is dead, she experiences a moment of delight at the prospect of being free for the remaining part of her life (Chopin 756).