Calixta The Storm Character Analysis

“Most often, we choose to deal with the void by either numbing it or desperately trying to fill it” (Bogue, n.d.) Within the story the main character, Calixta is faced with a number of situations that leave her in a toiled state. During a fierce storm, when her husband, Bobinot and their son, Bibi are away, Calixta is faced with a choice to give in to temptation. When the storm approaches, her secret lover, Alcee is nearby and takes refuge at Calixta’s house. While Alcee is with Calixta, a vulnerable woman at the time, she gives into his charming manner and had an intimate moment with him. People will have their own opinion about Calixta and the choice she made. At the end of the day she did what she feel was right to fill the void that she was lacking. The storm is a symbol of a woman's life under stress and obstacles she

may face; the challenges of being a mother and wife, choices she has made in her life, and the commitments to her family.
As the enraged storm approaches Calixta is so absorbed with her sewing she does not even realize what is going on around her. At the time, she was home alone because Bobinot and Bibi had gone to the store. “There was a sense of panic as Calixta realizes the storm is upon her, like the underlining emotions she is having. It begins to grow dark, and suddenly realizing the situation she got up hurriedly and went about closing windows and doors” (Koloski, 2015). There is also a sense of worry by Bobinot and Bibi while they are away for the safety of Calixta. Mama’ll be ‘fraid, yes, he suggested with blinking eyes. Calixta has such internal turmoil; she loses sight of what is going on around her. As it starts to storm and all the storms underlining meanings, she has yet another emotion put in front of her.
The powerful storm is among Calixta and all the sudden Alcee appears in the distance. Alcee, her secret lover, comes into the house. This seems like a symbol of the storm and Alcee trying to break apart the house Calixta and Bobinot had built together. Alcee comforted Calixta while the fierce storm rolled through, made her reflect on the times they had shared. Oh! She remembered; for in Assumption he had kissed her and kissed and kissed her; until his senses would well nigh fail, and to save her he would resort to a desperate flight (Chopin). As the storm passes and Alcee and Calixta end their moment of passion she has a lifted weight off her shoulders. Meanwhile Alcee rides off and Bobinot and Bibi are making their way back home.
During the beginning of the story Calixta seemed almost aggravated with the duties she was doing as a wife and mother, but by the end of the story there was a sense of liberation.

After the storm had passed and everyone was home, Calixta was more at peace with herself. When the three seated themselves at the table they laughed much and so loud that anyone might have heard them as far away as Laballire’s (Chopin). As there was so much emotional turmoil within the storm as it passed she finds herself calmed and at ease when her life seems like it has come back around. The destruction of the storm and all the bad it had brought had passed and she knew now what she wanted out of life.

Calixta is at a crossroad in her life and seems very unsure on what is going on with her emotions, but then realized that she gave into a moment of weakness. The storm and Alcee had come and gone it gave Calixta the knowingness that she really knew where her heart did belong. Calixta knowing that she did she seemed to want her family back together as whole. As the story tell the storm comes and goes and when if leaves she is more at peace with herself at the

end.