Désirée’s Baby

"Désirée’s Baby" takes place in Louisiana in the mid-19th century. The setting of the story is especially important because it informs its sociopolitical atmosphere. Because the story takes place before the Civil War in the American South, the backdrop of slavery adds an atmosphere of brutality and violence. This sense is enhanced by ominous descriptions of the physical setting, especially the natural world and the architecture of the characters' homes. The story primarily takes place between two plantations: the grand Valmondé plantation—home of Désirée’s adopted parents—and L’abri, where Désirée moves in with her husband, Armand. Both locations are vital to how the story unfolds, since the conditions of these plantations dictate the actions and philosophies of the characters.