Calixta And Alcee In The Storm By Kate Chopin

1040 Words5 Pages
The most influential and memorable stories of all time have all had at least one thing in common: a masterfully crafted setting. And Kate Chopin’s risqué short story, The Storm, is no exception. In it, Chopin uses the titular storm to set the scene (both emotionally and physically), to illustrate the mood, and to usher along the events of the story while simultaneously using these events and feelings to hint at her own social and political beliefs. Regarded as one of the earliest feminist writers, Chopin not only thought of the institution of marriage as inherently oppressive, but also of women as deserving the same sexual freedoms as men. The events caused and paralleled by the storm illustrate these beliefs. Perhaps the most obvious…show more content…
It is hinted that both Calixta and Alcee are paired with people with whom they have unsatisfying sex lives. As Bobinot comes in disheveled and dirty from traveling through the storm, he nervously anticipates Calixta’s “over-scrupulous” nature, only to be greeted by a kind and bubbly wife. Only moments before, she had been locked in a passionate embrace with another man. If Calixta is generally critical of her husband, but suddenly becomes kind and agreeable after having a heated affair with her no-longer-ex-lover, then it can be inferred that her scrupulousness is not an inherent quality of her personality, but rather a result of unsatisfied sexual urges. And after their encounter, Alcee writes to his wife in Biloxi and suggests that she and the babies stay there for a while longer if they are enjoying themselves. Clarissa, his wife, readily accepts the offer, relieved that she will be able to forego their “intimate…show more content…
Many people may see Calixta’s affair as an indication that she did not love her husband, or even downright hated him. However, there is no indication that Calixta harbored any kind of disdain for her dear old Bobinot. Once again, the storm serves to set the record straight and dispel suspicions about any ill intent behind the affair. If one looks at the storm as being a symbolic representation of the affair between Calixta and Alcee, and looks at Calixta’s home as a symbol of her life - her marriage, her son, etc. - then a few simple lines of dialogue become much more telling. As the storm approaches nearer and lightning rips through the sky, Calixta expresses concern about lightning striking her house and bringing it down. To comfort her, Alcee assures Calixta that there is no way that the storm could even touch the house on account of all the tall trees surrounding it. Right after the exchange, the affair takes place. Coincidentally, as the storm breaks, the passion between Calixta and Alcee is ignited when she staggers back into his arms. She is aware of the sexual tension, but is reluctant to act on it out of fear that the affair could destroy her

More about Calixta And Alcee In The Storm By Kate Chopin

Open Document