The Importance of Setting in The Sotrm
...t even intend to enter the house. He meant to wait in, “ the gallery till the storm is over”(Chopin 113). However, the storm was so ferocious that it forced Alcee inside the house. Calixta did not invite him inside the house either; it was because of the intensity of the storm that Alcee went inside. The strong winds of the storm made Calixta’s yellow hair, “disheveled by the wind and rain, kinked more stubbornly about her ears and temples.”(Chopin 113). Even then, neither Calixta nor Alcee had any erotic thoughts or intentions. The culprit of it all was a kind of storm that had not made its presence felt in years. The storm made the house stuffy and hot, an ideal setting for sex isn’t it? The feeling of wanting to free your skin from the moisture and heat made things more intense. The strength of the storm created lightning and thunder. This caused Calixta to be alarmed and frightened. She was frightened for Bobinot and Bibi’s well being. Her fear was so apparent to Alcee that the least he could do was to embrace her to reassure her that her husband and son were okay. He drew her close to him to calm her nerves due to the strong lightning. This awakened a lust for each other that were dormant otherwise. The closeness of their bodies embraced heightened all their senses and desire for each other. This was not the first time that Alcee and Calixta were together. In “Assumption”, Alcee “kissed her and kissed and kissed her”(Chopin114). They did not have sex however. This time though, all the elements that were present because of the storm led them to commit adultery. The storm now made her laugh as they were lying together. She was no longer scared or frightened for Bobinot or Bibi, she was lost in this heaven that freed her sensuality. The storm parallels the “storm” of sexual energy that brings together Calixta and Alcee (Short Story Criticism 80). Then the storm passed, the thunder faded off, and the rain turned to a light drizzle. This made them sleepy but they knew what they had to do as soon as the storm passed. As soon as the rain disappeared and the sun shone, Alcee rode off and left her. Because of the storm, Calixta felt a more profound love for Bobinot and Bibi as she greeted them back home knowing that they were okay and thinking about her safety while they were back at the Friedheimer’s store. She was never more content to see them and not angry with them as soon as they stepped foot in the house. Because of the storm she was neve...