A Passionate Storm “The Storm” is a provocative story written by Kate Chopin about a married woman named Calixta who rekindles a romance with a former suitor, during a storm, while her husband is away. In the story, Chopin’s protagonist, Calixta, has a one night stand, and emerges from it a better woman than she had been before. The story clearly reflects the intensity of the affair and the storm. In the story “The Storm,” she uses setting, symbolism, and tone to reveal her supportive view on the theme of sexuality. The intensity of the affair and how quickly the two involved in the affair and immediately resumed life as if nothing happened. Chopin’s use of setting is a significant element in this story. She uses the description of “The Storm” …show more content…
to build suspense and tension for the reader, and to reflect the passionate encounter between Calixta and Alcee. When the story opens, Calixta’s husband notices the approaching storm, “… somber clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from the west, accompanied by a sullen, threatening roar” (Chopin 121). As the storm is just about to arrive at Calixta’s house, so does Alcee with sinister intentions. The description of the storm’s increasing momentum clearly mirrors the couple’s increasing passion for each other. Ultimately, there was a lightning bolt that climaxed the situation and sent them into each other’s arms. The suddenness of the storm, its intensity and then the radiance after sets the stage for an affair that seems to pop up from nowhere, lasts briefly, and leaves Calixta and Alcee renewed and refreshed. Throughout this tale, Chopin uses various allusions and symbols of the storm to reflect the emotions of the characters. For example, Calixta is nervous because of Alcee’s presence, and her comment regarding the rain symbolizes her fear that she might not be able to contain her emotions, “If this keeps up, Dieu sait if the levees goin to stan it!” (Chopin 122). After their encounter, the storm recedes along with the passion it invoked in the couple, “The growl of thunder was distant and passing away” (Chopin 123). Another form of symbolism used by the author was the color white. By using the color white, it is possible Chopin is highlighting the sanctity and purity of the affair. At the start of the story, she tells the reader that Calixta “unfastened her white sacque at the throat” (Chopin 122). Later, while Calixta is in her bedroom with Alcee, Chopin mentions the “white, monumental bed” (Chopin 123). Also, as Alcee is kissing Calixta, Chopin makes reference to Calixta’s “white neck”, white throat” and “white breasts” (Chopin 123). The author’s use of symbolism helps the audience sense the passionate emotion between Calixta and Alcee. Finally, Chopin’s tone in this story is one of enabling encouragement.
Her choice of diction demonstrates a tone of endorsement of the adulterous affair. The language portrays the affair as liberating and enjoyable for Calixta and Alcee. Chopin reveals this opinion when she tells the reader that Calixta’s “firm, elastic flesh was knowing for the first time its birthright…” (Chopin 123), and then again when she describes Alcee’s response as coming from “…depths of his own sensuous nature that had never yet been reached”(Chopin 123).The voice we hear seems to be encouraging the characters in their decision to have an affair. Calixta, instead of feeling guilty of her act, laughed out loud during the act. She delightfully enjoys the act and forgets the storm and everything. She “did not heed the crashing torrents, and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms” (Chopin 123). It is clear that the happy ending leaves no doubts about her attitude towards love affairs. When the rainstorm was over; "and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems,"" Calixta, on the gallery, watched Alcée ride away. He turned and smiled at her with a beaming face, and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud." (Chopin 123) It is clear that Calixta did not feel guilty for what she did, neither did Alcee. They both acted like nothing happened and decided to be nicer to their spouse and have a better home. The authors word choice undoubtedly
portrays a tone of support for this affair. Though at first read this story may seem to be a tale of two adults having an affair on a stormy afternoon, Kate Chopin draws the reader in with a sultry setting of a thunderous and stormy day, sensual symbolism, and a tone of encouragement. Through Chopin's writing of this story, she was able to communicate her thoughts about sexuality through the powerful description of the storm and the affair.
According to Seyersted, “its ‘daring’ its ‘happy’ and ‘healthy’ treatment of sex … sex is a force as strong, inevitable, and natural as the Louisiana storm which ignites it.” Seyersted states that sex is powerful and it takes a lot of strength and braveness to do it. Calixta was not for a moment regretting the fact of having sex with Alcee. On the contrary, she was happy to do it. Seyersted also describes the goodness of sex by saying, “Kate Chopin was not interested in the immoral in itself, but in life as it comes, in what she saw as natural–or certainly inevitable–expressions of universal Eros, inside or outside of marriage. She focuses here on sexuality as such, and to her, it is neither frantic nor base, but as ‘healthy’ and beautiful as life itself.” Seyersted describes the point of view for Kate Chopin and how she viewed sex in her perspective. Chopin states that happiness to Calixta comes from
The subject of adultery was first introduced soon after Alcee asked Calixta if he may take refuge from the approaching storm within her house. That was also the first point when the author lets us know that Calixta “may” still have feelings for Alcee. This was shown clearly in the story when it says, “ His voice and her own startled her as if from a trance…” Immediately after this the description of the setting changed from a outdoor relax feel to an indoor tense feel. This also lead to the feelings of both characters towards each other, which was shown when the room was described, “ The door stood open, and the room with its white, monumental bed, its closed shutters, looked dim and mysterious.”
Effectively using foreshadowing in a piece of literature enhances the reader's curiosity. One clear example of such usage is seen in Kate Chopin's writing. Her use of foreshadowing in the short story "The Storm" adds an element of intrigue, holding the reader's interest throughout. In this story a father and son, Bobinôt and Bibi, are forced to remain in the store where they were shopping, waiting for an approaching storm to pass. Meanwhile, the wife and mother, Calixta, remaining at home, receives an unexpected visit from a former lover of hers, Alcée. The two lovers ultimately consummate their relationship. Alcée then departs once the storm subsides, at which time the father and son return home. No repercussions of the extramarital affair take place within the story.
Chopin, Kate. ?The Storm.? The Norton Anthology. Ed. Nina Baym, et al. New York: 1999. 1612-1615
“The rain beat upon the low, shingled roof with a force and clatter that threatened to break an entrance and deluge them there.” is an example of this passion that the storm is showing between the two. Chopin is describing how the passion between Calixta and Alcee is overflowing, and dared anyone to enter the room to break the passion that was so strong between them. Another quote from the narrator is “They did not heed the crashing torrents and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms.”. This quote is explaining the storm, but it is also explaining how Alcee and Calixta were overlooking the storm and concentrating on one
All in all, Kate Chopin is able to combine two very different aspects of life and involve the relationship and symbolism of the storm to physical needs, sexual desires, and new and profound joy. By bringing these two parallel subjects together, the author is able to show the deeper meaning of one simple word, “storm,” and reveal a story that shows the attitudes and beliefs towards marriage and sex. In doing so, Chopin creates a strong point of view between these two subjects and allows for the view of regulations of sex and marriage to be shown throughout her short story, “The Storm.”
A Love Affair in The Storm by Kate Chopin Kate Chopin's "The Storm" is a short story about a brief love affair that takes place during a storm that has separated Calixta from her husband and son. The title "The Storm" is an obvious reference to the storm outside, but more importantly to the love affair that takes place. The title refers to nature, which is symbolically used again and again in the story. Chopin uses words like "somber clouds", "threatening roar", and "sinister intentions" to describe the approaching storm. Later in the story those same words in reference to the storm outside, will also be represented symbolically to the storm brewing inside with the love affair.
Throughout history writers have offered readers lessons through themes and often symbolized. In the story, “The Storm” by Kate Chopin is quite different from “The Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid; both have a different theme, symbol, throughout the stories. “The Storm” in Kate Chopin 's story can symbolize a number of different things: temporary, fleeting and quick action, and without consequences.
“The Storm”, by Kate Chopin, is a short story about a woman who has intercourse with an old boyfriend, while her husband and son are at the store. While a storm is passing by Alcée happens to stop by and stays at Calixta’s during the storm. The two commit adultery, but never tell anyone. While there are many similarities between these two stories, there are also several differences.
A storm defined by the Princeton dictionary means "violent weather condition, or a direct and violent assault " Kate Chopin personifies and creates imagery of a dark ominous storm heading from the distance with an ominous presence and dark intentions. “…sombre clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from the west, accompanied by a sullen, threatening roar.” The calm before the storm is all but gone, the storm pressing closer and closer, yet, Calixta is not doing much before the unavoidable storm hits her home. By the use of symbolism Kate Chopin shows that Calixta willingly opens herself up in the beginning of the story. “She unfastened her white sacque at the throat” what can this represent? This poor defenseless woman lets her neck out in the open; just like an antelope in the wild that is tired of ruing from a lion gives up by turning their neck towards their predator and giving up their jugular. Calixta is not deterred by the ideals of the time and decides to take her conventional life out of the norm. Rebecca Long-Kluckner from the Association of Young Journalists and writers, writes the folloing "Kate Chopin wrote in a time period that believed women did not even possess sexual desires, but only behaved pro...
The first thing I noticed about Kate Chopin’s “The Storm,” is that it is utterly dripping with sexual imagery and symbolism. Our heroine, if you will, seems to be a woman with normally restrained passions and a well-defined sense of propriety, who finds herself in a situation that tears down her restraint and reveals the vixen within. I wonder if it was intentional that the name Calixta makes me think of Calypso – the nymph from Greek mythology. If half of the sexual symbolism I found in this story was intentional, Chopin was a genius. I was quite taken with the sexual imagery of the colors mentioned: white, and red. There is also mention a place called Assumption, while there’s nothing written on it in the bible, I believe it’s the popular opinion of those of Christian faiths, that Mary (Jesus’ mother) going to heaven was called “The Assumption.” Again, I cannot accept that as merely a happy coincidence, I believe its mention in the story was intentional. Finally, we have the storm, so central to the theme of the story that it was named for it. In this work, as well as others by Chopin, there is a recurring theme of infidelity, or women behaving in ways that society generally doesn’t accept, women behaving badly, if you will, I cannot help but wonder if Kate Chopin used her writing to express desires that she would not otherwise have expressed.
What elements are needed to create a good short story? As John Dufrense quoted "A good story has a visionary quality, a personal voice, a signature gesture(1969). The elements used should be used so strongly that it pulls you in; forcing you to connect to the people in the story. Not every story is written well enough to be capable of doing this. This also creates a connection with the reader; leaving some type of effect or impacting the reader along with the characters’ lives. Although there are many elements in writing but one of the greatest things of writing is the ability to make the reader empathize with the characters. This goes beyond than just a connection with the characters; when the reader is able to apprehend with the characters he or she is truly relating and reaching out to them. The author has accomplished something truly special when the reader has the ability to feel the agony that a character is feeling.
Calixta and Alce, the two main characters in the short story “The Storm” by Kate Chopin, are sexual, mature, and knowing adults. By having them discover amazing sex outside their marriages, they return to their own marriages renewed. Chopin openly condones adultery due to the fact that the characters are not punished and in the end “everyone was happy” (paragraph 40) . A common theme of fresh sexuality and desire is seen in this story though symbols and other literary elements. Kate Chopin is an American author that wrote short stories and novels in the 20th century.
These two themes are built upon two main characters. Even the smallest details of these characters bring out the themes in a way that can only give the story a happy ending. Calixta still has a place in her heart for Alce, her prince charming, which gives the affair a chance to happen. The overall story is symbolized through the color white and the passing storm which intensifies all of the emotions in the story. “The Storm” was a controversial story that many did not approve of when it was first written. Today it is appreciated, along with most of Chopin’s work, as an important part of the feminine
Criticism of The Storm by Kate Chopin While it has traditionally been men who have attached the "ball and chain" philosophy to marriage, Kate Chopin gave readers a woman’s view of how repressive and confining marriage can be for a woman, both spiritually and sexually. While many of her works incorporated the notion of women as repressed beings ready to erupt into a sexual a hurricane, none were as tempestuous as The Storm. Kate Chopin was a woman whose feminist viewpoints were far ahead of her time, which of course garnered her more than her share of criticism. In a time when women were expected to behave "properly" and sexual desire was considered to be something only experienced by men, Chopin spoke with exceptional openness about human sexuality.