In Kate Chopin’s “The Storm,” we see a multitude of literary themes. The most important among those is her use of local color. This short story was written in the late nineteenth century at a time when women were to be seen, not heard. Chopin had a different outlook on life and it showed in her writing. Though some believe it may not have been her intention to use local color in her stories, she does. We see local color in the setting she chooses, the descriptive colors she uses, the plot of the story, and also though the narrator’s eyes.…
The short story “The Storm,” is about a woman who attempts to conform to society’s norm of marriage, but discovers a different way to satisfy her sexual needs which in the end results in happiness and fulfillment. Chopin brilliantly revolves the story around a storm, hence the title. Literally, a storm means a disturbance of the normal condition of the atmosphere, manifested by an unusual force, which is exactly what she depicts throughout the story with the affair between Calixta and Alcee.…
It also foreshadows an event or revelation that might occur in a literary work, as well, making it a great strategy to deepen the effect of a story. An example of this is in Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.In the story, after all the guests arrive at Soldier Island a storm comes increasing the suspense and doubt which was existent before it came. The development of the storm was also important in representing the growing danger the guests were beginning to face after the first murder of Anthony Marston. Another example of weather's importance in literature is in Homer’s Odyssey , when as a seastorm and whirlpool emerge as Odysseus was on his way back home. The storm was symbolizing replenishment, as Odysseus wasn't free of sin on his journey…
There are many auditory images in this short excerpt from The Awakening, by Kate Chopin. The first is where the narrator is describing Edna’s feelings. This put an image of a frightened child in the readers heads. Another that is easily seen is the dog who is barking. Chopin went into detail of the type of tree the dog was tied to, which put an image of a dog tied to a sycamore tree in the reader’s head. The last two were “the spurs of the cavalry officer”, and “the hum of bees” (Chopin). As the reader one can imagine bees flying around the front porch as the officer walked across the porch creating a warm, but suspenseful mood. Readers can assume that it is Spring, a rather warm season, because of the bees. The suspenseful part is self explanatory,…
In any marriage, it is important for the wife to feel secured, loved, and to receive sexual gratification to maintain a strong commitment to her husband. Unfortunately, in Kate Chopin's "The Storm," Calixta does not receive all of these things from her husband Bobinot. Calixta's husband Bobinot lacks a sense of power and control in their marriage and also leaves her feeling sexually frustrated. Calixta's encounter with Alcee Laballiere also reminds her of her dull marriage and the passion her and Alcee has once shared. Because of the unfulfillment of her marriage to Bobinot, Calixta is driven to commit adultery with Alcee.…
The storm could also call attention to the years that were skipped to the future in the novel that left the reader wondering what happened in between those years. This could be implied as a mystery that maybe later in the novel, it will be revealed how Kirsten and the rest of the characters made it to where they are twenty years later. In the comic, there are “…orange and crimson skies with two moons on the horizon.”(Mandel 42) Mainly, the purpose of the reoccurrence of the storm and crimson sky is to insinuate the devastation that is to occur. The message of this motif is to be aware for what is yet to come because the characters are placed in a situation whether they either adapt to the new life or die. The storm relates to a contrasting view between the light and darkness. During a rainstorm it cam be dark and cloudy, but after it stops raining the sky is clear and the sun is shining. In the same way, the prophet believes that the epidemic happened for a good reason, however those who survived may not agree because they were miserable while it…
When authors use symbolism effectively, readers can begin to understand a work of literature on both the surface level and in an illustrative context, attributing significance to ideas, actions, or even characters themselves beyond what is initially described. In her novella The Awakening, Kate Chopin employs symbolism through a variety of images to reveal particular details about the protagonist, Edna Pontellier. One such symbol is the sea, an essential figurative element. Ivy Schweitzer’s scholarly essay, entitled Maternal Discourse and the Romance of Self-Possession in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, asserts that the sea is a motherly figure lacking in Edna’s life. Though in her critical analysis of The Awakening Schweitzer asserts that the sea is a “maternal space” (Schweitzer 184), I will argue that the sea represents a metaphorical romantic partner for Edna, and that it really is the symbol of an idealized lover that was an impossible reality in Edna…
The essay of "The Storm", written by Kate Chopin, illustrates a story of one woman and one man drawn to each other by lust. Situated together by a storm, Calixta, the woman in this essay and "very married woman" has no choice but to let in an old friend and once loved companion out of the pouring rain. As a result, old flames spark a maybe-new relationship between the two. This essay is an alternative twist to many other stories dealing with unfaithfulness and infidelity, given that men are more prone to being accused of committing adultery with regard to women. This essay shows, no matter what the variables are "when the cat 's away the mice will play".…
In The Storm, lovemaking is illustrated as free and enjoyable. For Calixta, who is unhappy with her husband Bobinôt, adultery with Alcée is more satisfying than any intercourse with her husband; it is with Alcée that “her firm, elastic flesh knew for the first time its birthright” (Chopin,559-60). Lovemaking with Alcée was “like a white flame which……
In Kate Chopin’s “The Storm,” both the plot and the setting of the story help support each other. Chopin was gifted in her use of the setting to strengthen the plot symbolically; in doing so she created a powerful atmosphere. The atmosphere created by Chopin’s style of writing gave “The Strom” a sense of excitement that raised the temperature of the reader’s blood and kept them turning the page for more.…
plot. The story would not be so interesting if it weren't for the last line of the…
There have been several instances in history where a woman’s societal and personal existence revolved around her relationship with her husband. In “The Storm”, Chopin discusses women’s sexual openness in correlation with their husbands and status in society. By contrasting martial structure, gender roles, and class distinction, Chopin showcases the weight of societal pressures on women during the 19th century.…
In Kate Chopin's “The Storm” we are presented with a story about an affair. This act of adultery took place between two individuals whom had already been involved romantically in the past. Calixta and Alcee, both who are presently married, were reunited and forced together after many years by the titular storm. Whilst Calixta is at home with her old fling Alcee, her husband Bobinot and son Bibi are out in the storm, and not knowing their whereabouts is making Calixta very worried; putting her in a vulnerable place. Alcee attempting to comfort her brings up old memories, memories that rekindled a suppressed passion from their youth. In the story, Alcee mentions that he was always unable to follow through with his desires for Calixta in the past, but now it was different. They engaged in sex, shortly after the storm ends and they both go on about their day. Everything is normal and unchanged when Bobinot and Bibi return home, the actions that Calixta committed didn’t weight heavily in her conscious.…
Reflections of life are often seen throughout many forms of art. It has even been said, “art is the windows to the world”. Such art that depicts these reflections would be literature. The short story “The Storm” written by Kaite Chopin tells the moral situations that we as humans can face. The story tells of a man trying to get out from the upcoming storm and finds himself on the front porch of a lady he use to know. After she invites him in they find themselves alone and despite the fact they are both married they engage in very passionate sex. As the sex grows stronger and more passionate the storm outside rages more and more. We learn from this that humans are judgmental and hypocritical. Not only do we judge them despite not knowing their…
Kate Chopin is an outstandingly creative writer who brilliantly writes so that even if someone is not the strongest reader, they will still get a compelling story; but if they are a strong reader, they’ll go further by receiving the true meaning behind her wit and intelligent writing styles. Chopin is great about letting readers scratch the surface of a topic that needs to be brought to attention and then just exploits the details by placing wordage exactly where it needs to be to realize just how pressing these issues are, and especially how different times were back then than how they are currently. In her short stories, specifically “The Storm”, Chopin contrasts the responsibilities of the spouses based on gender…
