The domination of man over woman in Désirée's babyDifferences between people create conflicts between people. This is especially true between men and women, because throughout history, society has viewed women as submissive to men. Kate Chopin's feminist short story, Desiree's Baby, illustrates the domination of men over women. Since Désirée meekly accepts to be governed by Armand and Armand considers Désirée his possession, the master/slave relationship that exists between Armand and Désirée is undeniable. Armand believes that since he has a higher social position than Désirée, he is free to be master of her. A plantation owner and descendant of the Aubigny family which bears “one of the oldest and proudest names in Louisiana” (316), Armand owns dozens and hundreds of slaves. On the other hand, Désirée is adopted into a family without a respected name. Because “young Aubigny's rule was strict”, not only did he treat the slaves as if they were animals, but he treated Désirée as a magnificent possession. Although Désirée truly loves Armand, the relationship is not reciprocal, which is shown by Armand having relationships with other women. Désirée's love for Armand elevates her in the relationship, while Armand's dominance over Désirée only makes her more submissive. Armand's ego shows his qualities as a master. His respected name, his large plantation and his position as master. a master over his slaves inflates his pride. The fact that “Armand is the proudest father in the parish… because it is a boy who bears his name” (317), illustrates that Armand does not really love his family, but he sees it; them as possessions – extensions of one’s property. For Armand, the baby's purpose is to honor her in ...... middle of paper ......e denies her and the child, she loses her personality and therefore commits suicide. and infanticide. The word, desperate, which describes her love for Armand illustrates how attached she is to him. When Armand accuses Désirée of being black and disowns her because he believes him, Désirée completely loses her identity. Without Armand, she thinks: “I will die. I must die. I can't be so unhappy and live. (319). It is not only Armand's dominance, but also Désirée's gentle submission that kills Désirée and the baby, while ruining Armand's life. In Armand and Désirée's already shaky master/slave relationship, a petty conflict over race is the final blow that divides them. Yet it was the difference between their perception of themselves and that of others, set up by a male-dominated society, that doomed their relationship from the start..