The Storm

The Storm by Kate Chopin was written from a third person omniscent point of view during the late eighteen hundreds. The narrator gives us grave details of an explicitly sexual affair between a man and woman who were former lovers.

Bobinot and Bibi, a close father and son have left for a fishing trip and get caught in the treacherous weather before they even leave the store. Bibi, a caring son worries about his mother at home and how she will be afraid of the storm. Bobinot, a thoughtful husband buys his wife her favorite shrimp. The storm is so intense Bobinot keeps Bibi on the front perch of the store until the weather passes.

Calixta and Alcee, once lovers, come together in the face of the storm. He has been riding his horse when the rain drenches him. Faced with her anticipation for the safety of her child during the storm, Alcee places his strong arms of around his former lover and brings her close to him. As their eyes meet, the envelope her until she is overtaken with passion and the two end up in each others arms.

The story takes place at an old farm house owned by Calixta and Bobinot. There are trees that surround the house. Eventually, the two end up in the bedroom. The two remember a certain time when they were together prior to Calixta and Bobinot marrying. It is here that even though there is a storm surrounding them, they have found comfort in one another.

The theme of the story revolves around the sexuality of a woman who has become comfortable in her marriage. While she might be sewing when the story begins, it becomes obvious that she desires more. When she sees her former lover, the emotions and excitement begin to well up inside her. They obviously had a passionate relationship. While she loves her husband and son, she longs for something more. It is obvious when the storm is over that she has quenched her thirst for pastion because the two lovers return to their ordinary lives and all is happy.