Literary Analysis: "The Storm"

In "The Storm", Kate Chopin attempts to unveil an unhappy marriage between the characters Calixta and her husband, Bobinot. As the story begins, Bobinot and their son, Bibi, are at the store when a storm approaches. They chose to await the storm's passing by staying in the shelter of the store. At this same time, Calixta is at home occupied when the storm arrives. When she goes onto the lawn, she is approached by Alcee, who turns out to be an old lover from her past. There is an instant connection between the two and lustful thoughts begin to ensue. As she gets upset about Bibi being away from her during the weather, Alcee begins to comfort her. They soon reminisce about a time they spent in Assumption together. This conversation soon leads to them sleeping together. Afterwards, Calixta began supper while Bobinot and Bibi traveled home. Alcee wrote his wife that night explaining that he was getting along fine without them and their happiness was his first concern. His wife Clarisse received his letter and admitted that she too could forego their relationship for awhile. 

Chopin addresses the aspects of their unhappy marriage by focusing on Calixta and her personal sexual desires. It appears that Bobinot pays little attention to her needs and desires; therefore; she pursues them with Alcee as he seems to be in tune with her urge to explore her sexual side. Bobinot is depicted as a husband without little authority or dominance with his family. Calixta seems to be seeking a man that possesses these characteristics, which is why she falls so easily for Alcee. From the instant Alcee and Calixta interact we read that "his voice and her own startled her as if from a trance". Chopin's choice of wording here suggests that Calixta was taken over by Alcee's presence. With so many desires and feelings she wants to explore, Calixta is easily convinced to commit adultery with Alcee. She gave herself up openly and affixed herself to the passion between them. I think in this moment Calixta feels more needed and desired by a man since she last encountered Alcee in Assumption. The dialect Chopin selects to depict the story is that of a realistic nature. It is told in third person point of view allowing the reader to understand the thoughts of the narrator as well as what the other characters were thinking. Chopin's ability to create descriptive images through her wording aid in the reader's understanding of what Calixta is feeling and how the interaction with Alcee satisfied her inner urges. 

By addressing female sexuality in "The Storm", Chopin challenges society's patriarchal rules and presents the idea that women have a say in their sexual desires. At a time when women's personal desires or needs were not addressed nor shared, Calixta's character serves as a testament to the women of the time period. Chopin also significantly influences women by explaining that when satisfied, their inner desires will subside. Much like how "the storm passed and every one was happy".