As a child, Kate Chopin lost her father in a train wreck, so she did not have a male figure growing up. Chopin grew up with three strong, independent women whom were a great influence on her life. From them, she learned to be independent. She asserted this independence by acting in ways that were "unlady-like" for a woman in her time. Chopin also disagreed with the "patriarchal rules that sought to control women's inner life", rules that condemned a woman's sexual desires (pp. 455). The theme in many of Chopin's writings deals with those sexual desires. One of which is a short story called "The Storm".
             "The Storm" starts off at a local grocery store. A man and his son are waiting out a storm there, while the man's wife, Calixta, waits at home. She seems to be a good, "normal" housewife as she carries out some of her "wifely duties". She is "sewing on a sewing machine"(pp. 464) and when she notices that a storm is coming, she brings in the laundry that she had hung out earlier; but she does not seem to be worried about her husband and son.
             As the story continues, Calixta does not seem to be so good after all. When Alcee Labalierre, a former lover, asks to wait the storm out on her gallery, Calixta's character takes a turn. Now, she begins to show concern for her husband and son's whereabouts. She hopes that they did not leave the store, perhaps because she likes the idea of being alone with Alcee. Alcee also likes the idea, and after having been alone for a while, they give in to their desire for each other. Calixta does not resist when Alcee embraces her, and she gives in to him very easily. She is comfortable and very much enjoys being with Alcee. "The roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms."(pp. 466)
             Calixta's affair with Alcee is described almost as if it wer
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