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Kate Chopin wrote the short story entitled “The Storm” in 1898, but because of its provocative content, Chopin herself knew that there was no way it would be published by any magazine in that period of time. Containing themes such as sex outside of marriage resulting in no negative repercussions and portraying women as sexual beings makes “The Storm” a story far ahead of its time. Chopin died before “The Storm” was ever published (in 1969), but in writing it, she made a representation of the hidden desires of repressed women in the early 20th century.
To better understand “The Storm,” it is essential to look back on its prequel, “At the ‘Cadian Ball,” which Chopin wrote in 1892. Unlike “The Storm,” “At the ‘Cadian Ball” is uncontroversial and “follows the formula for the conventional Southern heroine in past-Civil War fiction” (Arner 64). ... In “At the ‘Cadian Ball,” it appears that Calixta’s marriage to Bobinot is “a self-inflicted penance for her past behavior” (Arner 64). ...
In “The Storm,” Chopin changes the theme to imply that in the end marriage does not automatically lead to fulfillment, and that marriage is usually the not the result of love, but a “necessary outlet for male sexual aggressiveness and as a basis for permanence and stability in society” (Arner 64). Even though Calixta has accepted the role of Bobinot’s wife and keeper of the house, the institution of marriage has not tamed the flames of passion that are burning in her soul. The story begins with Bobinot and his son Bibi at Friedheimer’s store, looking outside to see a storm coming in and realizing they should stay indoors. To illustrate how caring and thoughtful Bobinot is towards Calixta, Chopin has him buy a can of shrimps, “of which Calixta was very fond.” Chopin wants to paint the picture of Bibinot as being a loving husband, so the reader has no question about Calixta’s motives concerning her affair with Alcee. ... The fact that she has never seen him alone after her marriage, and that he is now seeking refuge in her house at a time when her husband and son are away, represents a time when the storm in her heart is finally able to develop, first in the form of raindrops, but building steadily, nevertheless. Once inside with Alcee, Calixta begins to nervously think aloud about Bobinot and Bibi’s safety, not because she is actually worried about them, but because she is distressed about being alone with Alcee in this type of circumstance. ... It seems odd that she would be so concerned now, when, at the beginning of the chapter “Calixta felt no uneasiness for their (Bibinot and Bibi’s) safety.” When Calixta had seen the first signs of a storm coming in, she knew that her husband and son were at Friedheimer’s store and that they would be sensible enough to stay inside until the storm passed. Chopin gives the impression that Bobinot and Bibi have had to stay at the store because of a storm before because there seems to be no doubt in Calixta’s mind that they will stay there this time.
Approximate Word count = 2486
Approximate Pages = 9.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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