Realism is a literary movement that attempts to describe life without romanticism or idealistic prejudice (writershistory.com). Although realism cannot be precisely timed or limited to any period, it is often associated with a 19th century movement. Henry James and Kate Chopin are considered two of the key figures of 19th century literary realism. James made a conscious contribution to realism, particularly in his persistence in maintaining that writers will be granted freedom of independence in presenting their judgment of the world. Kate Chopin participated in the realism movement by placing awareness and importance on the lives of women and their repeated struggles to create an image of themselves within late 19th century Southern culture. American society's views on race and gender in the works Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin and Daisy Miller by Henry James can easily be distinguished from 19th century society from today's. In Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin references discrimination in Creole, Louisiana during the antebellum period. The breed has continually left a significant imprint in the past and continues in today's society. African Americans have always been seen as failures and treated harshly because of the color of their skin. They had no voting privileges or equality compared to that of Caucasians. Desiree's Baby describes how racial discrimination can control the way of life even in intimate relationships. The history of race and birth is a strong theme throughout. Desiree was adopted into a high socioeconomic status. She herself wasn't really sure of its origin. The concept of a birth story first appears when Desiree is found by Monsieur Valmonde and rumors begin to circulate about who Desiree is and her origin. Madame V...... in the center of the sheet ......isy Miller gender discrimination. Armand was a slave master but was later ironically informed that he was actually mixed with African Americans. While women in the Roman American community had negative assumptions about Daisy Miller's character and her reputation as a woman of worth was questionable. The two stories "Desiree's Baby" and "Daisy Miller" both had many similarities. There was racial discrimination in “Desiree's Baby” and in “Daisy Miller” there was gender discrimination. Paradoxically in both stories the same type of person didn't like the same things they revealed; Armand was a slave owner and did not accept African Americans as equivalent, but ironically later realized the fact that he himself was an African American. In Daisy Miller the women in the community didn't like Daisy but she herself was a woman and unfortunately misunderstood.