Free Essays - Analysis of Kate Chopins The Storm :: Chopin Storm Essays

The short story The Storm by Kate Chopin, deals with the subject of adultery. The story takes place in the early 1900s. There are twain main characters, Calixta (the wife) and Alcee (the former lover). Alcee must take refuge from a passing wedge in Calixtas house, while he is there the two cobblers last up making love while Calixtas husband and son have to wait out the storm at the local store. By doing this Chopin implies the free radical that is, adultery is natural and does not necessarily have negative consequences. Through out the story the constant changing of imagery plays a great eccentric in the development of characters and their ability to demonstrate the theme. The subject of adultery was first introduced soon after Alcee asked Calixta if he may take refuge from the approaching storm within her house. That was similarly the first point when the author lets us know that Calixta may still have feelings for Alcee. This was sh birth clearly in the story when it says, His voice and her own startled her as if from a trance Immediately after this the description of the setting changed from a outdoor relax feel to an indoor tense feel. This also lead to the feelings of both characters towards each other, which was shown when the room was described, The door stood open, and the room with its white, monumental bed, its closed shutters, looked dim and mysterious. Soon after this, Calixta who is then feeling the situation gets up to look outside the window, as not to keep looking at Alcee for she knows what may come of it. Alcee then also gets up to look out the window so that he may stand close to Calixta, which shows how Alcee wants to be with her. While Calixta is looking out the window she sees that it is raining hard and there is strong winds and lightning, which clearly signifies how complex up Calixtas feelings for Alcee are at that moment. After this Alcee grabs Calixta close to him as she staggers back, she then retreats and immediately ask s where her son may be. This also shows that Calixta is having mixed feelings with the situation. Which is the reason she gets loose but does not tell Alcee to control himself but yet like nothing had happened wonders where her son may be, Bonte She cried, releasing herself from his arms circle arms and retreating to the window If I only knew were Bibi was