The Theme Of Sexuality And Passion In The Storm By Kate Chopin

The short story “The Storm” by Kate Chopin deals with the subject of feminine sexuality and passion. During the 19th Century, women’s sexual desire was suppressed by the societal constraints; and also they were not allowed to take any decision about their sexual life. This story indicates how a woman, who was not happy with her marriage, tries to conform to the norms of the society by dedicating herself to domesticity and her married life. However, she transgresses the norms and customs of the society by finding another mean to fulfill her sexual aspiration. Moreover, the author seems to neglect infidelity because the consequences were not mentioned, instead “everyone was happy.” Kate Chopin has conveyed her message through the beautiful use …show more content…
Her firm, elastic flesh that was knowing for the first time its birthright, was like a creamy lily” (561). Also, it illustrates the sexual relationship between Calixta and Bobinot which was not really good, therefore, she still had that ‘pure and powerful’ passion inside her. In addition, this was the time when she was able to utilize her hidden passion and to have an innovative experience with the Alcee. Furthermore, “the generous abundance of her passion, without guile or trickery, was like a white flame” (561) again signifies the power, richness, radiance, and purity of her sexuality; and which she had not been able to utilize before in her life due to her discontented sexual relation with Bobinot and the societal …show more content…
The tone seems to be encouraging with the fact that Chopin did not mention the element of infidelity after the sexual encounter of Alcee and Calixta. Instead, she mentioned that they were happy and without any guilt and shame for what they did: “ they did not heed the crashing torrents, and the roar of the elements made her laugh her laugh as she lay in his arms,” and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed about” (561-562). Moreover, Chopin supports the freedom and autonomy of a woman; and also she promotes the idea of finding liberation within the marriages and keeping up this illusion: “everyone was happy” (563). On the other hand, I found a sympathetic tone in her last sentence: “so the storm passed,” because it indicates the short span of Calixta’s freedom and satisfaction. Also, after the ‘storm,’ she is back to the boundaries of society. Besides, there is an element of infidelity which author has overlooked to define the feminine sexuality, which someway strikes the feminist point of