Happiness in Disguise
Kate Chopin is known for her unique, multiethnic stories that are filled with views of desire, love and relationships meant to provoke her readers. In “The Storm” she is writing about a woman named Calixta having an extramarital affair with a person from her past, Alcee, during an intense storm. Calixta’s husband Bobinot and son Bibi are caught at the store due to the storm. Alcee was passing by Calixta’s house when the storm hit and had to take shelter. Meanwhile, Alcee’s wife Clarisse is in another town with their children. In the end, everyone is happy and moving on with their lives, or are they? The ending of the story indicates everyone is happy when it says, “so the storm passed and everyone was happy.” Was everybody happy before the storm came through town or did happiness settle in the aftermath? It is clear to see that after the affair, Calixta sees her family in a different light. Alcee also sees a new perspective on his marriage. Once the storm clears, so do the doubts and questions of the characters about themselves and their marriages. Calixta is very comfortable with her life and family.