Meta-Discussion on Kate Chopin’s Short Story "Désirée’s Baby" with the Application of Four Theoretical Concepts

Seminar paper from the year 2016 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, University of Würzburg, language: English, abstract: This term paper is a meta-discussion on Kate Chopin’s short story "Désirée’s Baby" in reference to four theoretical texts, which to a greater or lesser extent, can be applied to the short story of my choice. The first step will be to illustrate the theoretical concept of gender postulated by Joan W. Scott, followed by the application of this theory on Chopin’s short story by examining gender bias. Secondly, I will explain Du Bois' concept of double consciousness and Edward Telles theory of color race. These concepts will, then, insofar it is possible, be applied to “Désirée’s Baby’’. Thirdly, the concept of a nation in the understanding of Jean-Jacques Rousseau will be analyzed. Therefore his ideal nation state will particularly be taken into account and this is followed by scrutinizing the short story for his theory to be applied to. At last, I want to point out the correlation between the represented concepts and what questions can be raised when reading the short story and applying the different theories. In addition to developing an interpretation, this meta-discussion has the aim to exhibit that the application of a theory can produce a meaningful discussion.