# Désirée — Short Fiction character guide

> Désirée in Short Fiction by Kate Chopin.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the gentle Désirée

**First appearance:** 0036-d-sir-e-s-baby

## Snapshot

A gentle, beautiful young woman of mysterious origins whose whole world rests on being entirely and securely loved.

## Who they are

Désirée is a foundling raised in the Valmondé household, now engaged to Placide and moving through New Orleans society with a frank, unguarded delight. She has grown conscious and thoughtful about the relationship, trying to behave as a proper fiancée should, yet a wistful look sometimes crosses her brown eyes as she scans strangers' faces in the street. Her need to be wholly possessed and wholly belonging drives the tender, precarious happiness of the story's middle chapters.

## In the story

### [Désirée’s Baby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/chapters/d-sir-e-s-baby)

The gentle and loving wife of Armand Aubigny, who becomes the victim of racial prejudice and is driven to despair.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/characters/desiree
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_33_se/characters