Sexuality In Kate Chopin's Short Story 'The Storm'
Kate Chopin wrote the short story “The Storm” in 1898, but the story was not published until 1969. Gale Online Encyclopedia suggests, “One of Chopin’s better-known short stories, “The Storm” is a vignette exploring females desires that cannot be fulfilled in marriage.” (Brantley 1). This is apparent while Bobinot and Bibi are at the store waiting out the storm, Calixta is back at home committing adultery with Alcee. Calixta is doing this because sex with Alcee is more satisfying than sex with her own husband. “The Storm” focuses on sexualtity, adultry, and pyscholigical realism throughout and after the sexual encounter between Calixta and Alcee. One of the first points deals with sexuality. “But she felt very warm and often stopped
…show more content…
Although Calixta and Alcee are committing adultery, it does not end in tragedy. Both of them now are physically satisfied so now they both are being emotionally generous to their partners. “Then, prepared for the worst – the meeting with an over-scrupulous housewife, they entered cautiously at the back door.” Bobinot is terrified of coming home to an upset wife because he is coming home late and dirty but instead Calixita is filled with joy. “Bobinôt's explanations and apologies which he had been composing all along the way, died on his lips as Calixta felt him to see if he were dry, and seemed to express nothing but satisfaction at their safe return” INstead of being angry with them she just continues to make sure both her husband and son are all right. Alcee also is being extremely generous to his wife by telling her to stay an extra with her family. “Alcée Laballière wrote to his wife, Clarisse, that night. It was a loving letter, full of tender solicitude. He told her not to hurry back, but if she and the babies liked it at Biloxi, to stay a month longer. He was getting on nicely; and though he missed them, he was willing to bear the separation a while longer – realizing that their health and pleasure were the first things to be considered.” This innocent act of adultery has given everyone involved a breath of
Although Calixta and Alcee are committing adultery, it does not end in tragedy. Both of them now are physically satisfied so now they both are being emotionally generous to their partners. “Then, prepared for the worst – the meeting with an over-scrupulous housewife, they entered cautiously at the back door.” Bobinot is terrified of coming home to an upset wife because he is coming home late and dirty but instead Calixita is filled with joy. “Bobinôt's explanations and apologies which he had been composing all along the way, died on his lips as Calixta felt him to see if he were dry, and seemed to express nothing but satisfaction at their safe return” INstead of being angry with them she just continues to make sure both her husband and son are all right. Alcee also is being extremely generous to his wife by telling her to stay an extra with her family. “Alcée Laballière wrote to his wife, Clarisse, that night. It was a loving letter, full of tender solicitude. He told her not to hurry back, but if she and the babies liked it at Biloxi, to stay a month longer. He was getting on nicely; and though he missed them, he was willing to bear the separation a while longer – realizing that their health and pleasure were the first things to be considered.” This innocent act of adultery has given everyone involved a breath of