Charlotte Chopin The Storm Analysis

“The Storm” was corresponded to each stage of story, and it symbolized the sexual desire of Calixta as she expected the passion from affair. Chopin stated the sky “began to grow dark” (Chopin 111) and then “the big rain drops began to fall” (Chopin 11). Accompanied with the description of the atmosphere, Alcee “went inside, closing door after him.” (Chopin 111) The rising action was that Alcee walked into Calixta’s house to escape the storm and the rain drops began. Alcee maintains his manner and being polite to Calixta at the beginning. Along with “the rain beat upon the low, shingled roof with a force and chatter that threatened to break an entrance and deluge them there” (Chopin111), the setting change to “her bed room” (Chopin 111) which indicated there would be a further development among Alcee and Calixta. The air in the room seemed to become more nervous and odd. Suddenly, “a bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge

of the field. It filled all visible space with a blinding glare and the crash seemed to invade the very boards they stood upon.” (Chopin 112) The story reached its climax, “they did not heed the crashing torrents, and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms” (Chopin 113). Bolt struck signaled the peak of their sexual desired as they fell in love. After the storm pass, “the rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems” (Chopin 113), their sexual experience was ended along with the storm. At last, nothing was changed and affected as “the storm passed” (Chopin 113).
Chopin’s ironic writing style revealed the married woman’s intention to seek freedom and ego under the restriction of morality.

Time had changed, the housekeeper was not the symbol of the woman anymore. Some women put down their responsibility for the family to look for so-called “passion,” which caused potential risk for family. In the article “What’s Hidden in Kate Chopin’s ‘the Storm,’” Bartee, professor at Strayer University, stated, “One can be free to make a choice if you want to be with a person and not have to be stuck in an unwanted relationship.” She explains that the selective right was not just for men but also for women; they were not affected by the feudal ideology. On the other hand, Readers were able to substitute into woman’s inner thought and sense through the effective tone and third person narration; it allowed us to understand the desire of modern women who pursued the excitement outside of their marriage. Even though it was a good phenomenon that woman had the freedom of choice, was everyone happy as the storm

passed?