The Storm Summary by Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin’s short story “The Storm” is a powerful tale of passion, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. Written in 1898 but not published until 1969, this story pushes boundaries and explores themes that were considered taboo during Chopin’s time.

In this post, we’ll dive deep into the story, examining its plot, characters, themes, and literary techniques.

Background

Before we jump into the story itself, let’s take a moment to understand the context in which it was written:

About Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin was an American author born in 1850 in St. Louis, Missouri. She’s best known for her novel “The Awakening” and her short stories that often focus on the lives of women in Louisiana. Chopin’s writing was ahead of its time, dealing with themes of female sexuality, marriage, and independence in ways that weren’t commonly accepted in the late 19th century.

The Story’s Publication History

“The Storm” was written in 1898, but Chopin never tried to publish it during her lifetime. It’s easy to see why – the story’s frank depiction of an extramarital affair and female sexuality would have been shocking to readers of her time. The story wasn’t published until 1969, long after Chopin’s death, when it appeared in “The Complete Works of Kate Chopin.”

Plot Summary

Now, let’s break down the story’s plot:

Setting the Scene

The story takes place in Louisiana during the late 19th century. It opens with Bobinôt and his four-year-old son, Bibi, at Friedheimer’s store. They’re stuck there because a storm is approaching, and they’re worried about Calixta (Bobinôt’s wife and Bibi’s mother) back at home.

Calixta at Home

Meanwhile, at home, Calixta is busy with housework. She doesn’t notice the approaching storm until she goes outside to gather some clothes from the line. That’s when she runs into Alcée Laballière, an old flame from her past.

The Storm Intensifies

As the storm grows stronger, Alcée asks to wait it out at Calixta’s house. She agrees, and they go inside. The storm’s intensity mirrors the growing passion between Calixta and Alcée.

A Moment of Passion

Inside the house, as the storm rages outside, Calixta and Alcée give in to their long-suppressed desires. They have a brief but intense sexual encounter.

After the Storm

Once the storm passes, Alcée leaves. Bobinôt and Bibi return home, and Calixta warmly welcomes them. The story ends with everyone seemingly happy – Bobinôt and Calixta in their marriage, and Alcée with his wife Clarisse, who’s away on vacation.

Character Analysis

Let’s take a closer look at the main characters in “The Storm”:

Calixta

Calixta is the central character of the story. She’s a married woman and mother, described as having a “sensuous” appearance. Chopin portrays her as passionate and sensual, but also as a caring wife and mother. Her encounter with Alcée shows a side of her that’s been suppressed by societal expectations.

Example: When Bobinôt and Bibi return home, Calixta “had clasped Bibi and was kissing him effusively.” This shows her genuine love for her family, despite her moment of passion with Alcée.

Bobinôt

Bobinôt is Calixta’s husband. He’s portrayed as a simple, good-natured man who loves his wife and son. He’s concerned about Calixta during the storm and brings her a can of shrimps as a gift.

Example: Bobinôt’s concern for Calixta is evident when he says, “If this here rain keeps up, Bibi, you’ll have to sleep in the store tonight.”

Alcée Laballière

Alcée is Calixta’s former love interest and the man she has an affair with during the storm. He’s married to Clarisse but still harbors feelings for Calixta. Chopin portrays him as passionate but also respectful, as he leaves promptly after their encounter.

Example: After their intimate moment, Alcée “turned and smiled at her with a beaming face; and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud.”

Bibi

Bibi is Calixta and Bobinôt’s four-year-old son. He plays a small but important role in the story, serving as a reminder of Calixta’s role as a mother and her family responsibilities.

Example: Bibi shows maturity beyond his years when he reassures his father, saying, “Mama’ll be ‘fraid, yes,” showcasing his understanding of his mother’s potential fears during the storm.

Clarisse

Clarisse is Alcée’s wife, who is away on vacation during the events of the story. Although she doesn’t appear directly, her absence is significant as it allows the encounter between Alcée and Calixta to happen.

Example: At the end of the story, we learn that Clarisse is “charmed” by her husband’s letter, showing that their marriage, like Calixta and Bobinôt’s, remains intact despite the affair.

Themes and Symbolism

“The Storm” is rich with themes and symbolism. Let’s explore some of the key ones:

The Storm as a Symbol

The most obvious symbol in the story is the storm itself. It represents the passion and desire between Calixta and Alcée. The storm’s progression mirrors their encounter:

• It begins suddenly, much like their unexpected meeting.
• It intensifies as their passion grows.
• It reaches its peak at the same time as their sexual encounter.
• It clears up afterwards, leaving everything “fresh and new.”

Example: Chopin writes, “The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems.” This description after the storm (and the encounter) suggests a kind of renewal or cleansing.

Sexuality and Desire

Chopin explores female sexuality in a way that was rare for her time. She portrays Calixta’s desire as natural and even healthy, challenging the notion that women should be sexually pure or passive.

Example: The description of Calixta’s “drowsy gleam” in her eyes after the encounter suggests satisfaction rather than guilt.

Marriage and Infidelity

The story presents a complex view of marriage and infidelity. While Calixta and Alcée’s affair is central to the plot, it doesn’t seem to harm either of their marriages. In fact, everyone seems happier afterwards.

Example: The story ends with the line, “So the storm passed and every one was happy.” This suggests that the affair, like the storm, was a temporary event that perhaps even improved their situations.

Nature and Human Nature

Chopin draws parallels between the natural world (the storm) and human nature (passion and desire). This suggests that human sexuality is as natural and powerful as a storm.

Example: The description of the storm’s intensity – “The rain beat upon the low, shingled roof with a force and clatter that threatened to break an entrance and deluge them there” – mirrors the intensity of Calixta and Alcée’s passion.

Freedom and Constraint

The story explores the tension between societal constraints (marriage, motherhood) and personal freedom (sexual desire, passion). Calixta experiences a moment of freedom during the storm, but returns to her role as wife and mother afterwards.

Example: Before the storm, Calixta is described doing household chores. After the storm, she returns to these duties, but with renewed energy and happiness.

Literary Techniques

Chopin employs several literary techniques to tell her story effectively:

Third-Person Omniscient Narrator

The story is told from a third-person omniscient point of view, allowing the reader to see into the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.

Example: We get insights into both Calixta’s and Alcée’s thoughts during their encounter, as well as Bobinôt’s concerns and Clarisse’s feelings at the end.

Imagery and Sensory Details

Chopin uses vivid imagery and sensory details to bring the story to life and emphasize the connection between the storm and the characters’ passion.

Example: “The rain beat upon the low, shingled roof with a force and clatter that threatened to break an entrance and deluge them there.” This description appeals to both sound and touch, making the storm feel more real and intense.

Parallel Structure

The story is structured in a way that parallels the development of the storm with the development of Calixta and Alcée’s encounter.

Example: As the storm builds, so does the tension between Calixta and Alcée. When the storm is at its peak, so is their passion.

Irony

There’s a sense of irony in the way the affair seems to improve everyone’s lives rather than causing harm.

Example: The fact that “every one was happy” after what society would consider a serious transgression (adultery) is deeply ironic.

Foreshadowing

Chopin uses foreshadowing to hint at what’s to come.

Example: The approaching storm foreshadows the “storm” of passion that will engulf Calixta and Alcée.

Historical and Cultural Context

To fully appreciate “The Storm,” it’s important to understand the historical and cultural context in which it was written:

Victorian Era Morality

The late 19th century, when Chopin was writing, was still very much influenced by Victorian morality. This emphasized sexual purity, especially for women, and strict adherence to marital vows.

Women’s Rights

The women’s suffrage movement was gaining momentum during this time, but women still had limited rights and were expected to be submissive wives and mothers.

Creole Culture

The story is set in Louisiana and features Creole characters. The Creole culture, a mix of French, African, and Native American influences, had its own unique customs and attitudes.

Literary Movement

Chopin was writing during the time of literary realism, which aimed to depict life as it truly was, without romanticization. Her frank portrayal of sexuality aligns with this movement.

Impact and Interpretation

“The Storm” has had a significant impact on literature and continues to be widely read and studied:

Feminist Interpretation

Many feminist critics see “The Storm” as a bold statement about female sexuality and autonomy. Calixta’s guilt-free experience of sexual pleasure outside of marriage was revolutionary for its time.

Moral Ambiguity

The story challenges simple notions of right and wrong. The affair, typically seen as morally wrong, seems to have positive outcomes for all involved.

Natural View of Sexuality

By linking the characters’ passion to the natural phenomenon of the storm, Chopin suggests that sexual desire is a natural, powerful force rather than something to be suppressed or ashamed of.

Critique of Marriage

Some interpret the story as a critique of the institution of marriage, suggesting that the constraints of marriage can suppress natural passions.

Comparison with Other Works

It’s interesting to compare “The Storm” with some of Chopin’s other works and those of her contemporaries:

“The Awakening”

Chopin’s novel “The Awakening” also deals with a woman’s sexual awakening and the constraints of society, but with more tragic consequences.

“The Story of an Hour”

Another of Chopin’s short stories, “The Story of an Hour,” also explores themes of freedom within marriage, but from a different angle.

Comparison with Male Authors

Chopin’s frank portrayal of female sexuality stands in contrast to many male authors of her time, who often idealized or demonized female sexual desire.

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Kate Chopin’s ‘The Storm’: Quick Summary and Analysis

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about “The Storm” by Kate Chopin:

1. Q: Why wasn’t “The Storm” published during Chopin’s lifetime? A: The story’s explicit sexual content and positive portrayal of an extramarital affair would have been considered too scandalous for publication in the late 19th century.
2. Q: Is “The Storm” a feminist story? A: Many readers and critics interpret it as feminist due to its portrayal of female sexual desire and agency. However, Chopin didn’t explicitly identify as a feminist.
3. Q: What is the significance of the storm in the story? A: The storm serves as a symbol for the passionate encounter between Calixta and Alcée. It also creates the circumstances that allow their encounter to happen.
4. Q: Does the story condone adultery? A: The story presents a nuanced view of adultery. While it doesn’t explicitly condone it, it doesn’t condemn it either. Instead, it presents the affair as a natural occurrence that doesn’t necessarily have negative consequences.
5. Q: How does “The Storm” relate to Chopin’s other works? A: Like many of Chopin’s works, “The Storm” deals with themes of female sexuality, desire, and the constraints of society and marriage.
6. Q: What is the significance of the story’s setting? A: The Louisiana setting allows Chopin to explore Creole culture and provides a backdrop where passionate emotions seem to align with the natural environment.
7. Q: Why is the ending significant? A: The ending, where “every one was happy,” challenges the conventional notion that adultery must have negative consequences. It suggests a more complex view of human relationships and morality.
8. Q: Is there a sequel to “The Storm”? A: While not exactly a sequel, “The Storm” is actually a follow-up to an earlier story by Chopin called “At the ‘Cadian Ball,” which introduces the characters of Calixta and Alcée.
9. Q: What literary movement is “The Storm” associated with? A: “The Storm” is often associated with literary naturalism, a more extreme form of realism that views humans as subject to natural forces beyond their control.
10. Q: How has the reception of “The Storm” changed over time? A: When it was finally published in 1969, “The Storm” was recognized as an important work of early feminist literature. Today, it’s widely studied and admired for its bold themes and vivid writing.