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The short story 'The Storm', by Kate Chopin has involved the use of different literary styles and techniques such as the plot, imagery, and symbolism for the presentation of her main ideas. From the short story, Kate Chopin presents different themes, such as marriage and infidelity, sex and nature, marriage and fulfillment as well as sex, gender, and liberation. Additionally, the title of the short story, that is 'The Storm' is one of the most important allusions, which helps learners relate to the symbols used in the text.
This paper will, therefore, involve the presentation of an argumentative essay of the work, 'The Storm', showing how the author has used different aspects such as symbols and vivid description for the presentation of the various identified themes. The entire paper will involve the presentation of techniques and the literary styles used by Kate Chopin for the revelation of the theme of marriage, infidelity, and sex.
According to the setting of the story, which was is in Louisiana, it has been used for the portrayal of infidelity as well as love.
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In the short story, two couples who are married, with each of these couples having the desire to be fulfilled sexually. Chopin, therefore presents the short story in a manner that gives her perspective on the marriage inclusive of fulfillment. Literary elements such as symbolism and the point of view have been used for the revelation of the different perspectives presented by Chopin. Despite the fact that Calixta and Alcee being former lovers, in the current times they are married to different people.
However, the storm has been used symbolically for the portrayal of the reason as to why Alcee and Calixta get together. These two characters are married, which means that they rarely get time to see each other, thus the storm played an important role in bringing them together. Chopin says, 'very often since her marriage and never alone , made the storm create a conducive environment for cheating(infidelity).
Additionally, in the work the description of the storm as 'crashing torrents' symbolizes extreme passion that Calixta and Alcee had for each other. Usage of the various colors symbolizes the deficiency of passion in the marriage of Calixta and the passion that Calixta had for Alcee. On the contrary, this is not an indication that Bibinot is not caring, due to the mentioning of things he used to buy. In the contemporary world, the story is a clear depiction of the radicalism that is associated with infidelity, with the author arguing that infidelity is not as shameful as people presume. In the older days and times, cases of infidelity resulted in divorce and the b8reaking of relationships, while in the current world, infidelity seems to breed more love and affection like in the case of Calixta and Alcee. Ideally, justification of the infidelity among married couples seems to be irrational, while the reality is that such acts seem to be inevitable (Miranda, Cut Ruby, and Helmita Helmita, 22). The reason for this assertion is that people in marriages do not cheat because they are unhappy, but it is the situations and circumstances that they find themselves in that propels such unimaginable acts.
The nature and the prevalence of the tremendous thunderstorm bring about distinct events, which is the passionate sexual encounter that happens between Calixta and Alcee. The intensity of the thunderstorm relates to the burning passion that these two former lovers had, a clear indication of the level of lust among these two characters. Chopin has used the downpour for the narration for framing the sex that happens, with the intensification of the thunderstorm correlating with the intensification of the attraction between Alcee and Calixta. Eventually, when the storm rolls out then these two lovers go separate ways. Through the drawing of parallel with regard to the storm and the idea of nature, there has been the development of allegory by Chopin with the implication that sexual urges and desires are part of the human nature. Furthermore, metaphors have been used by Chopin in the description of the body image and shape of Calixta, with emphasis on the natural sexuality of the female gender (Urban, April M., 1865). Chopin intends to present the relation that exists between nature and sex, with the assertion that it was the human nature that propelled Calixta and Alcee to have such an encounter.
The setting of the work 'The Storm' by Chopin back in the year 1968 presents a time whereby women and the female gender at large lived in an era of containment. What this means is that for characters such as Calixta and Clarisse were expected to be mothers, and that infidelity was intolerable. Perhaps this was how submission and the marginalization of the female gender started, with women being so much attached and confined to house chores. However, Calixta goes beyond these norms and seeks her liberation in the pursuit of her happiness by having sex with Alcee, her former lover. Therefore, the theme of sex and liberation has been presented by Chopin as a way of showing the ways and efforts employed by the female gender in regaining their power and having total and complete control of their bodies (Alajlan, Lama Abdullah, and Faiza Aljohani, 2019). In one way of the other, the author aims at representing the liberation attempts employed by women in gaining their freedom.
Different symbols have been used by Kate Chopin an explanation of the nature of sex and the nature of human beings. The significance of the title of the work symbolizes the relativity of the topic and the events that take place in the text. The storm implies sex as well as the sexual desire positive aspects of human nature as well as natural. Description of the intensity of the thunderstorm alludes to the intensity of affection between Alcee and Calixta. Therefore, the sexual encounter between these two characters shows the exposure of the build-up affection between the two, which should be released for the healthy thriving of their families. Rationally, in the text 'The Storm', Chopin argues that the same way thunderstorms play an essential role in maintaining the ecosystem, affairs outside marriages can help in the maintenance of healthy and happy marriages. The possibility of the occurrence of the thunderstorm as a natural event is Chopin's way of showing the inevitability of issues of infidelity in marriages in the current world.
When reading the text from the contemporary world point of view, this work 'The Storm' by Kate Chopin can be read from the thematic point of sexuality. The rationale for this assertion is that Chopin presents sex as an overwhelming force, which is natural and it happens to both men and women. Through this presentation, it becomes easy for Chopin to break the stereotype that existed in those times, in that sexual drive is not only strong in men but also in women. This prompts to the thinking that Calixta being presented as a respectable woman should refrain from cases of infidelity. On the contrary, Chopin shows the falseness that is associated with such assumptions, through the presentation of Calixta as a woman who does not shy or keeps off her feelings. The realistic technique of writing adopted by Chopin aims at the emphasizing of the sex's physicality, rather than via lofty metaphors, but in a style that was common during the Victorian age. Use of descriptions, for instance,' When he touched her breasts they gave themselves up in quivering ecstasy, inviting his lips', presenting beauty as well as the essential sex drive (Abdullah, Nibras Ahmed, 520).
From the reading and the interpretation of the short story, Chopin presents the issue of morality, which can be attributed as the key cause of the infidelity of Alcee and Calixta. On the contrary, it is as a result of the honor of Alcee that it becomes easy for Calixta to refrain from such uncouth behavior. Based on the chivalry of the Victorian people, men are not expected to take advantage of women due to the assumption of women being defenseless. Women, on the other hand, have the role of refraining from such urges for the reduction of cases of unfaithfulness in marriages (Puckett, James, 74). The text should be read from the nineteenth century, an era whereby marriages had no tolerance to unfaithfulness and the expression of fulfillment by the female gender.
Efficacy of the short story has been propelled by the selection of language, which can be described as 'vivacity'. For instance, terms like, 'her warm, palpitating body,' as well as 'as red and moist as a pomegranate seed'. Language selection makes it easy for the reader to connect and familiarize themselves with the events being described in the work, as well as the intensity of the affection that was experienced by Calixta and Alcee. Setting as well helps in the familiarity and the understanding of the relation between nature and the aspects of human beings that tend to be natural, such as affection and feelings. Lastly, Chopin shows to us as the readers that cheating does not and should not necessarily breed negative consequences, like in the case of Calixta and Alcee.
Symbolism in "The Storm" by Kate Chopin. (2021, Aug 03). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/symbolism-in-the-storm-by-kate-chopin-essay
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