Kate Chopin The Storm Analysis

Kate Chopin is one of the most astounding writers of early American short fiction. This author is considered to be among the “most important women in nineteenth-century American fiction” ("Katherine Chopin"). She was also “a significant figure in American feminist literature”(Kort, par 1). One of her famous short stories is called “The Storm”. This deals with the subject of infidelity and sexual fulfillment outside of marriage without moral judgments can be found in this piece. This story was written in 1898 but wasn’t published until 1969 (Larsson, par 17). Chopin uses symbolism, conflict, and setting to bring forth a story that is based on feminist.
Typical authors use their own experiences to influence their works. Writers can get inspiration from their upbringing, setting, or even traumatic experiences. Some do it to fight for something they truly believe in, while others might do it subconsciously. Chopin uses the setting around her to influence her to write many short stories. The story "The Storm" is set in “rural Louisiana before, during, and after a torrential rain” (Werlock, par 2). This is “where the author had lived for several years” (Kort, par 1). They called her the local colorist “primarily for her tales of life in New Orleans and rural Louisiana”(Larsson, par 4).
Chopin makes extensive uses of symbolism throughout the story to represent the passion of Calixta and Alcée. Chopin uses the image of the storm to “represent the sexual restraint of the time” between Alcee and Calixta (Bloom, par 4). It is involved in practically every element of the story. The storm is a key symbolic element throughout the entire story, as it also helps to tell the story in a figurative manner. The storm acts as a catalyst in the story...

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...mes present” ("“The Storm” by Kate Chopin"). This is a primary example of women being confined to the private area while men are able to be the public doing whatever they like. Chopin is the personification of a feminist and as a result some of her stories were forbidden. The stories were not appropriate or lady like at this time. Women were looked down upon as being merely housewives; their needs and desires weren't considered in every day living. Through her writing, she was able to give a voice to women that felt trapped in their marriages and even in society. Chopin grew up with three strong, independent women whom were a great influence on her life. The story “The Storm” “became a classic of spontaneously released female desire” (Snodgrass, par 4). The fact that she was able to draw from her own experiences to mold her characters made her works even stronger.