Pendulum between Liberation and Socialization
Kate Chopin’s short story” The Storm” is greatly influenced by personal experiences and societal norms of the late eighteen hundreds ,better known as the Victorian Era. Inspired to think for herself by “strong-willed women” (Kort 1), Chopin grew intolerant of the “shallow social life” that she was forced to uphold (Evans 1). As an illustration, women were considered inferior to men and they also were expected to enjoy housewifery duties and maintain a rather prudish lifestyle. Nonetheless, those impacts and the partaking in an affair with her planter were the catalysts that motivated Chopin to give the world a “slice of [reality]” (Evans 3). Countering the oppression of the Victorian age, “The …show more content…
In the beginning of the story Calixa is an “over-scrupulous housewife” in view of the fact her marriage lacks intimacy (Delbanco 282). Calixta is a “passionate creature” that yearns for romance like she experiences in her youth, where she meets a young hopeless romantic name Alcee at “Assumption” who sweeps her off her feet (281). Although this is a short lived romance the affection she endures is embedded in her soul. Conversely, she does not experience this affection with her husband Bobinot, who is rather a customary man of his time. He never explores what stimulates his wife; instead his example of romance is “purchas[ing] a can of shrimps, of which Calixta [is] very fond” of (280). When an intense storm rolls in and Alcee coincidently ends up at Calixta house they partake in a “sinister” (279) affair that leaves her feeling re-energized and changes her whole attitude from being sexually frustrated to now seeing a “palace of gems”(281). After the storm is over Bobinot and their son Bibi returns home to a new wife and mother and laughs and enjoy their dinner. In addition Alcee writes to his wife assuring that he is “getting on nicely”, while alternatively his wife Clarisse is enjoying her break from their “conjugal life” (282). Chopin shows that sometimes adversities can bring a family closer together instead of tearing them …show more content…
To be honest, Calixta does “[penetrate] and [find a] response in [the] depths of [Alcee’s] sensuous nature that ha[s] never yet been reached” (281). In addition it is hard for Calixta to “compose herself” when she is around Alcee (281). However due to being from different classes, it is socially unacceptable to date let alone marry out of their societal class. Alcee is aristocratic, he speaks proper English, “r[ides] [in on] his horse”, and is able to travel(280). One the other hand Calixta is part of the working-class and she speaks with a dialect. If they were to marry they would have many troubles ahead. Alcee could run the risk of being disowned from his family, while Calixta risk being treated poorly by his family. These risks are too great for Alcee as he decides to “resort to a desperate flight” and leave Calixta (281). Another example is Alcee not taking Calixta’s virginity. They met each other and attended a catholic church called “Assumption” where their religion forbids premarital sex (281). Alcee and Calixta actions show that they want to have sex because he “kisse[s] and kisse[s] her, until his senses would well nigh fail’(281). However being implanted with religious beliefs stopped him from having intercourse with his “immaculate dove, which adds fuel to the yearn they have for each other (281). Clarisse delight about
Kate Chopin’s short story” The Storm” is greatly influenced by personal experiences and societal norms of the late eighteen hundreds ,better known as the Victorian Era. Inspired to think for herself by “strong-willed women” (Kort 1), Chopin grew intolerant of the “shallow social life” that she was forced to uphold (Evans 1). As an illustration, women were considered inferior to men and they also were expected to enjoy housewifery duties and maintain a rather prudish lifestyle. Nonetheless, those impacts and the partaking in an affair with her planter were the catalysts that motivated Chopin to give the world a “slice of [reality]” (Evans 3). Countering the oppression of the Victorian age, “The …show more content…
In the beginning of the story Calixa is an “over-scrupulous housewife” in view of the fact her marriage lacks intimacy (Delbanco 282). Calixta is a “passionate creature” that yearns for romance like she experiences in her youth, where she meets a young hopeless romantic name Alcee at “Assumption” who sweeps her off her feet (281). Although this is a short lived romance the affection she endures is embedded in her soul. Conversely, she does not experience this affection with her husband Bobinot, who is rather a customary man of his time. He never explores what stimulates his wife; instead his example of romance is “purchas[ing] a can of shrimps, of which Calixta [is] very fond” of (280). When an intense storm rolls in and Alcee coincidently ends up at Calixta house they partake in a “sinister” (279) affair that leaves her feeling re-energized and changes her whole attitude from being sexually frustrated to now seeing a “palace of gems”(281). After the storm is over Bobinot and their son Bibi returns home to a new wife and mother and laughs and enjoy their dinner. In addition Alcee writes to his wife assuring that he is “getting on nicely”, while alternatively his wife Clarisse is enjoying her break from their “conjugal life” (282). Chopin shows that sometimes adversities can bring a family closer together instead of tearing them …show more content…
To be honest, Calixta does “[penetrate] and [find a] response in [the] depths of [Alcee’s] sensuous nature that ha[s] never yet been reached” (281). In addition it is hard for Calixta to “compose herself” when she is around Alcee (281). However due to being from different classes, it is socially unacceptable to date let alone marry out of their societal class. Alcee is aristocratic, he speaks proper English, “r[ides] [in on] his horse”, and is able to travel(280). One the other hand Calixta is part of the working-class and she speaks with a dialect. If they were to marry they would have many troubles ahead. Alcee could run the risk of being disowned from his family, while Calixta risk being treated poorly by his family. These risks are too great for Alcee as he decides to “resort to a desperate flight” and leave Calixta (281). Another example is Alcee not taking Calixta’s virginity. They met each other and attended a catholic church called “Assumption” where their religion forbids premarital sex (281). Alcee and Calixta actions show that they want to have sex because he “kisse[s] and kisse[s] her, until his senses would well nigh fail’(281). However being implanted with religious beliefs stopped him from having intercourse with his “immaculate dove, which adds fuel to the yearn they have for each other (281). Clarisse delight about