“The Storm”
The short story “The Storm” by Kate Chopin, deals with the subject of adultery. The story takes place in the early 1900’s. There are two main characters, Calixta the wife, and Alcee the former lover. Alcee must take refuge from a passing storm in Calixta’s house; while he is there they end up making love, while Calixta’s husband and son have to wait out the storm at the local store. By doing this Chopin implies the theme that, adultery is natural and does not necessarily have negative consequences. Through out the story the constant changing of imagery plays a great role in the development of characters and their ability to demonstrate the theme.
The subject of adultery was first introduced when Alcee asked Calixta if he might take refuge from the approaching storm within her house. That was also the first point when the author lets us know that Calixta may still have feelings for Alcee. This was shown clearly in the story when it says, “ His voice and her own startled her as if from a trance…” (124). Immediately after this the description of the setting changed from an 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” (124).
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 mixed up Calixta’s feelings for Alcee are at that moment. After this Alcee