Haunting Fate of Desiree & Louise Mallard

In 1894, an American author named Kate Chopin wrote two short stories titled “The

Story of an Hour”, and “Desiree’s Baby”. Chopin was an expert in weaving her words and

passing a message in between the stories. She wrote with simplicity and elegance in her tone

building up to an ironic reveal of the climax. Both of these short stories feature a female

protagonist who lives under the norm of a patriarchal society.

Desiree and Louise Mallard both spent their life under the ruling of society’s norms

which favors patriarchy. Upon reading “Desiree’s Baby”, you will notice the slight tip and play

of words on what type of society Desiree grew up. “Why, it seemed but yesterday that Désirée

was little more than a baby herself; when Monsieur in riding through the gateway of Valmondé

had found her lying asleep in the shadow of the big stone pillar.” (Chopin, Desiree's Baby,

1894). At the end of the sentence, there was a mention of “the big stone pillar” which could also

be interpreted as a phallic symbol of the patriarchal society. Similar with Louise Mallard whose

introduction mostly circled around the situation that happened to her husband. Both of these

women were regarded as secondary characters in their own stories just like how they were

regarded as a lower member of their society.

Armand, Desiree’s husband, is the representation of society in the short story, “Desiree’s

Baby”. His actions and decisions are firm and should be followed. Back when racism was a

norm, Desiree suffered the fate of having a baby on the unfavored race. She blamed herself and

left with the thought of her husband no longer loving her because of what she thought of her

race. Armand, as selfish as he is, thought that he was the victim in this story. “He thought

Almighty God had dealt cruelly and unjustly with him; and felt, somehow, that he was paying

Him back in kind when he stabbed thus into his wife’s soul. Moreover, he no longer loved her,
because of the unconscious injury she had brought upon his home and his name.” (Chopin,

Desiree's Baby, 1894). An unfortunate fate for Desiree who blamed herself, without her

knowledge, on behalf of her husband.

After the revelation, Desiree left with her child. As sorrowful as it may seem, it could

also denote as freedom from the patriarchal and racist society. “Desiree had not changed the thin

white garment nor the slippers which she wore. Her hair was uncovered, and the sun’s rays

brought a golden gleam from its brown meshes. She did not take the broad, beaten road which

led to the far-off plantation of Valmondé. She walked across a deserted field, where the stubble

bruised her tender feet, so delicately shod, and tore her thin gown to shreds. She disappeared

among the reeds and willows that grew thick along the banks of the deep, sluggish bayou; and

she did not come back again.” (Chopin, Desiree's Baby, 1894). The way her clothes were torn

and her slippers fading as she steps into the vast new world she’s heading to, it could also mean

that her situation might have led her to the freedom she, and her child, unknowingly needed.

In the same manner, Louise Mallard, the protagonists in “The Story of an Hour”, also

experienced freedom when she was finally out her husband’s patriarchal hands. “There would be

no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no

powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they

have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. A kind intention or a cruel intention

made the act seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination”

(Chopin, The Story of an Hour, 1894). A moment of bliss from the tragic news. She, same with

Desiree, experienced freedom she unknowingly needed. But, just like all the tragedies women

live in their daily lives, Louise’s freedom was cut short. “When the doctors came, they said she
had died of heart disease—of joy that kills.” (Chopin, The Story of an Hour, 1894). A death from

a joy that kills.

Desiree and Louise lived their entire life under the rule of patriarchy. They regarded their

life as normal without knowing how much their society affects their life. Modern generations

also experience the same fate that they have, but just like the two women, it might still be

unnoticeable until a tragedy happens. Freedom comes at a price. Everyone was born with a cage,

and as they grow, the cage expands.

Works Cited

Chopin, K. (1894). Desiree's Baby. In K. Chopin, Bayou Folk (pp. 147-158). Cambridge: The

Riverside Press.

Chopin, K. (1894). The Story of an Hour. In K. Chopin, St. Louis Life. Holt, Rinehart and

Winston.