Kate Chopin The Storm

Author, Kate Chopin, in her short story, The Storm, reveals an affair between two past lovers Calixta(wife) and Alcee(ex-boyfriend) making love to each other. There is a storm coming to Louisiana and Bobinot (husband) and Bibi(son) are stuck at Friedheimer’s store. While Calixta is home with her ex-boyfriend. The story takes place in the house of Calixta and Bobinot. The time of day is late in the evening and the time period is late 1800s to early 1900s. The story took place in Louisiana around Friedheimer’s store. Chopin used imagery effectively during the short story. Chopin uses sight when describing the storm “The playing of the lightning was incessant. A bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field. It filled all visible space with a blinding glare and the crash seemed to invade the very boards they stood upon.” (Chopin 19). She also uses hearing to describe the storm “The rain beat upon the low, shingled roof with a force and clatter that threatened to break an entrance and deluge them there.” (Chopin 13). She uses touch …show more content…
The storm is symbolizing the climax of Calixta and Alcee’s sexual encounter. When they are done the storm goes away and everything goes back to normal. “A bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field. It filled all visible space with a blinding glare and the crash seemed to invade the very boards they stood upon.” (Chopin 19). The lightning describes when their bodies come together and they feel a burst of energy and emotions toward each other. Another type symbolism Chopin uses is colors. “The door stood open, and the room with its white, monumental bed, its closed shutters, looked dim and mysterious.” (Chopin 13). She is describing the color of the room as white because she thinks what she is doing is a pure act, rather than a sinful one. Chopin uses sex and marriage as a thematic significance throughout the