"The Storm" and the Use of Setting

Categories: Storm

Essay, Pages 3 (625 words)

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“The Storm” provides a look into the psyche of the common woman who lived in the deep, American south during the 19th century. Chopin offers a controversial perspective for the time, alluding to themes of women having freedom and independence over their own sexuality. It is clear that Chopin approves of the adulterous relationship she depicts between Calixta and Alcée. The author uses the environment and atmosphere to represent the inner emotions and secret actions of the two main characters.

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The storm reflects the intensity of the affair as it progresses throughout the short story and eventually comes to a close.

It is clear that Chopin wants to bring these two characters together, using the storm as a main driving force. She writes Alcée as a perfect gentleman, shown by his intent to not bother Calixta. “He expressed an intention to remain outside,” (111). He also helps her take in the laundry from outside and reassures her about the safety of Bobinôt and Bibi, her husband and child respectively.

The storm is almost inescapable, as it leaks through the bottom of the doorway, much like how the desires Calixta and Alcée are inescapable. Direct action is taken through the environment, like how the lightning strikes and it literally pushes Calixta into Alcée’s arms. It encourages and symbolizes the romance. Likewise, when the two are at the end of their affair, the storm has died down and “the rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems.” (113).

Chopin did not view this adultery negatively because the environment after the storm is better than when we found it. There is no destruction described after the storm passes. Usually, during a threatening storm, there are fallen trees or flooding rivers but the aftermath is not mentioned. There is no destruction because Chopin does not view this as destructive behavior. Even Calixta’s demeanor seems more pleasant upon the arrival of her husband and son. The conclusion is filled with laughter, joy, and contentment among all parties.

The conflict of this story is found mostly in the subtext, as the actual events are straight-forward and lead to a happy ending. There is an overarching theme of restriction and freedom throughout this passage when it comes to marriage. Aside from the time period and setting, where women were already expected to behave a certain way, there’s an air of resentment towards marriage as a concept. Calixta does not show malice or distaste for Bobinôt, but the reader can see that her wifely duties are a source of stress. She gets lost in her sewing, acts frantic about the laundry, and her husband describes her as “overscrupulous” (113) as if she usually acts up-tight. Perhaps Chopin wanted to highlight how there are simply things that a woman might want outside of wants expected of her. She can be multi-dimensional and a fully realized person. This possibly echoes Chopin’s own experiences as she started up her writing after the death of her own husband. She was able to challenge what was considered conventional of how women should think and act. This is also present in Alcée’s wife, Clarisse. At the end of the story, she has “the first free breath since her marriage” after Alcée says she should stay in Biloxi longer. This reinforces a feeling of being trapped by her marriage. Both her and Calixta are in a state of liberation by the end. There has been independence gained through having agency of one’s own feelings and desires.