Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin

Identity is one of the important themes in "Désirée's Baby." Her abandonment leaves her without an identity of her own. Her subsequent adoption by the Valmondes provides her a new identity, and as their daughter she "grew to be beautiful and gentle, affectionate and sincere,—the idol of Valmonde." Sadly, her true lack of identity never ceases to exist. When Armand asks for her hand in marriage, Monsieur Valmonde reminds him that "she was nameless," but Armand loves her and insists that her heritage doesn't matter....... he will give her his name, and once again, a new identity is foisted upon her.

The issue of identity and heritage does not, however, remain suppressed for long. After the birth of their child, the infant's identity begins to be questioned. Désirée's mother, and over time, Armand, see something they didn't expect to see— evidence of African-American ancestry. That the baby's African-American heritage comes from his father, rather than his mother, reinforces the idea that identity is not necessarily a fixed trait, but is derived as much from how others perceive a person as from qualities intrinsic to that person.