The purpose of this study is to show that the theme of selfidentity is a staple in Kate Chopin's Neg Creol, Beyond the Bayou, and The Story of an Hour, and that Chopin's treatment of this theme reflects her belief in the vitality of identity, uncovers the structures of oppression that impose certain designations on victims, and raises a lot of questions about institutions. It is argued that proper names, proper places, and property are significant as markers of identity and social status, which the underprivileged are denied due to the oppression by power structures that violate their rights in order to keep them so. Identity is demonstrated as being central to one's existence, superior to love, and worthy of being sought, regardless of the difficulties created by power structures whose practices are called into question .