Imagine your life falling apart because your child looks different from what society expects. You and your baby are left without a home, and your partner closes themselves off from you. This is what happened to Desiree in Kate Chopin's "Desiree's Baby." Desiree, who married a wealthy plantation owner named Armand, loves her husband deeply and has a baby with him. However, their problems begin when the baby is born with physical features that do not conform to society's idea of what a white, wealthy couple's child should look like. Armand questions the legitimacy of the child, and tragedy ensues. The story explores themes of identity and racism, delves into the characters' points of view, and portrays the tragic consequences of the societal pressures surrounding race.

The story delves into the complexity of identity as Desiree and Armand relentlessly strive to maintain the appearance of a rich white couple with a perfect white baby. The narrative adopts a third-person perspective, and as readers, we are privy to everyone's perspective. We see Desiree's sadness when she says, "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 3). Additionally, the story reveals that secrets were kept by family members that could have quickly answered questions about the baby’s appearance. The point of view stands out because it shows how the characters on both sides of the situation scramble to maintain their identities. Desiree begs to be recognized for who she knows she is, while Armand learns something about his identity that shows that he was wrong all along, to begin with.

The tone of the story is severe, with a critical undertone toward society's treatment of race during the time when the story is set. Armand's accusations and anger towards Desiree, as well as his immediate assumption that having black features is unfavorable in the South, are just some examples of this critical tone. The story also reveals the irony of the situation when we discover that Armand has black relatives, not Desiree as he initially believed. The story's overall tone is critical because it highlights how racism plays a big role in the lives of these characters who strive for a "perfect" identity. The ironic twist in the end shows the terrible consequences of the societal pressures surrounding race and identity.

In conclusion, the failure to acknowledge the true identity of Armand and Desiree's newborn infant resulted in numerous ruined lives. This prevalent theme of identity and racism is conveyed through various literary devices, including the tone, point of view, and plot of the story. The critical and solemn tone consistently employed in the narrative conveys the distress and hardship experienced by the characters as they grapple with societal expectations of whiteness and their confusion regarding their baby's appearance. The story's point of view is noteworthy because it presents the unadulterated truth without bias towards any character's perspective. The story culminates in a poignant conclusion that exposes the sad reality of the destructive powers of racism that originate from what should have been a joyous occasion-the birth of an innocent child.