"The Storm" is a short story written by the American writer Kate Chopin in 1898. The story takes place during the 19th century in the South of the United States, where storms are frequent and dangerous. It did not appear in print in Chopin's lifetime, but it was published in The Complete Works of Kate Chopin in 1969. This story is the sequel to Chopin's "At the 'Cadian Ball".
Synopsis
Bobinôt and his four-year-old son Bibi are at Friedheimer's store when a particularly violent storm begins. The two decide to remain at the store until the storm passes. Bobinôt then decides to buy a can of shrimp for his wife, Calixta, while he waits with his son for the storm to abate.
Meanwhile, back at their house, Bobinôt's wife Calixta is so occupied with her sewing that at first, she does not notice the incoming storm. Finally, she notices that it is growing darker outside, so she decides to shut the windows and retrieve Bobinôt's and Bibi's clothes, which are hanging outside. As she goes outside to retrieve the clothes, she notices Alcée, one of her former beaus, who has ridden up to the house in the hopes of riding out the storm with her.
As the storm worsens, Alcée asks Calixta if he can come in until the storm is over; Calixta obliges. Alcée then helps Calixta get some clothes off the line. He is reluctant to come in and stays outside until it becomes apparent that the storm is not going to let up. Calixta gathers up the lengths of the cotton sheet she had been sewing while Alcée takes a seat in the rocker. Calixta goes over to the window and observes the intensity of the storm, which disturbs her so much she nearly falls. Alcée then attempts to comfort her, and in doing so, he is reminded of the passion they once felt for each other. Alcée reminds Calixta of their time at Assumption, and she immediately remembers. At first, Calixta is standoffish when Alcée tries to comfort her, but she can't resist him as she becomes overwhelmed with passion. As the storm increases in intensity, so does the passion of the two former lovers. The sexual encounter between the pair ends at the same time as the storm. Alcée and Calixta go their separate ways once more, and they are both happy in their current marriages.
Bobinôt and Bibi return from the grocery store, and Calixta immediately embraces them. However, they are expecting a more intimidating approach from Calixta, considering how dirty Bibi is from their journey home. Bobinôt presents his gift of the can of shrimp to his wife, and she remarks that they will feast that night. Meanwhile, Alcée writes a loving letter to his wife Clarisse encouraging her to stay in Biloxi with their children as long as she needs. He notes that their well-being is more important than the anxiety from the separation that he endures. Clarisse is charmed by the letter, and she is happy in Biloxi because she feels free as if she were a maiden again. Although she is devoted to her husband, she isn't in a rush to go back to her married life. The story ends with the short line "So the storm passed and every one was happy".
Characters
Calixta: The wife of Bobinôt and the mother of Bibi. In the story, she has an affair with Alcée, a former lover, and is now married Bobinôt: The husband of Calixta and the father of Bibi, who are separated for the majority of the story Bibi: The four-year-old son of Calixta and Bobinôt Alcée: The husband of Clarisse and was Calixta's former beau. He has an affair with Calixta in the story Clarisse: Alcée's wife, who is away with their children at Biloxi
Analysis
"The Storm" can be interpreted as a story of sexual desire, a topic not publicly discussed in the 19th century, written in a third-person omniscient point of view. The relationship between Calixta and Alcée holds a degree of passion that is absent from both of their marriages. Calixta is scared of the storm, but Alcée's calmness relaxes her. Alcée embraces her after a lightning strike hits a chinaberry tree, rekindling the lust she once had for Alcée: "A bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field. It filled all visible space with a blinding glare and the crash seemed to invade the very boards they stood upon." Calixta's sexual desire seems to be directly tied to the storm.
Throughout the story, there is no bias from the narrator. This is an effective way to provide a completely open interpretation of the morality of the characters' actions. This choice is interesting, as it can be said that the emphasis of this story rests less on the ethics of the affair and more on the simple present actions. Had the narrator shown a judgment, the audience may interpret the entire story in a different light.