A Stormy Affair

A Stormy Affair

There is a parallel in Kate Chopin’s “The Storm” between the physical storm outside and the emotional storm inside two old lovers with unresolved passions.   While the storm outside threatens the environment the affair by old lovers threatens marital harmony.   Is it possible that just as a storm brings freshness to the air and a cleansing to the earth, could a step outside of marriage bring closure to those unresolved feeling, reawaken passion, and even renew commitment to a marriage?   An analysis of the characters Calixta and Alcee will explore this question.
Chopin gives us the first insight into Calixta’s character through her son, Bibi, when he states “that Mama’ll be’ fraid, yes” [268]. Bibi’s reference to that statement shows that Calixta has a tendency to worry and fret.   Yet, she is at home so caught up in her sewing that she is not aware of her environment including the Storm brewing outside.   It can be said that always keeping busy is a way to distract yourself from what is going on around you and thus escape from an unhappy marriage.   The sexual tension is first set taking place inside Calixta’s character with temperature rising, unfastening of her blouse, and the darkness of the approaching storm.   Her unkindled feelings become apparent when Alcee seeks refuge from the storm and “His voice and her own startled her as if from a trance” [269]. The tension is further set when Alcee thinks twice before he enters Calixta’s home and then once he does the two shut the house completely off from the outside.   Alcee transforms from a cautious and reserved person to where he now openly evaluates Calixta and remembers his infatuation towards her.
The author sets a contrast of the white bed for innocence before the affair and the dim mysterious room alluding to the deceit and betrayal about to occur. This shows that Calixta‘s character, as much as we know, is innocent at this point. Calixta shows hesitation and nervousness through idle...