The Storm
Critical Analysis of " The Storm" Every storm creeps upon us, hits a luminous climax, and then fades away into nothingness. In The Storm, Kate Chopin accurately depicts the way that a storm can happen in a person s life. She uses symbolism to depict the feelings of the relationships, which are as unpredictable as that of this raging storm. The setting in this story creates the perfect environment for an adulterous affair. In Kate Chopin's "The Storm", Chopin not only creates the perfect setting but also uses the setting as a symbol of the affair. Most likely occurring in the late 1800's and taking place in the deep South, the story gives an account of an adulterous affair between Calixta, wife to Bobinot and mother to four year old Bibi, and Alcee, husband to Clarisse, during a terrible rain storm. The presence of the storm is not merely coincidental. It is the driving force behind the story and the affair. As the storm begins, climaxes and ends so does the affair and the story. From the opening we see that Chopin intends to use the storm to move the story forward. The story begins with Bobinot and Bibi inside the local store. As they attempt to leave they notice storm clouds approaching the t
Meanwhile, Calixta is at home sewing and unaware of the storm. Chopin writes, "As she stepped outside, Alcee Laballiere rode in at the gate" (Chopin 113). Soon realizing the storm is approaching, she begins frantically running about the house closing windows and doors and retrieving clothes left on the porch. In one sentence Chopin ends the storm, the affair, and the story. The storm begins to pass as the story nears its end, taking with it Alcee and the affair. The affair reaches its climax shortly after their first embrace. The use of the last sentence is that the characters are happy at the passage of the storm. Concerned about Bobinot and Bibi, Calixta peers out of her window to investigate just as a bolt of lightning strikes a nearby tree. It is also an excellent example of the symbolism used in the story. It is the description of the storm that creates the foundation and intensity of the affair between Calixta and Alcee. As they finally give way to their passion for one another, Chopin changes how she uses the storm. Calixta, more than grateful to see the two, greets them well and they all sit down to supper. This seems to confirm that Chopin intended to align the sequence of events with the development of the storm. Chopin continues her effort to allow the storm to dictate the sequence of events. This is also another example of Chopin using the storm to symbolize the affair between the main characters.
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Acceptance Essays
