In Kate Chopin's short story "The Storm", an extremely passionate wife and mother faces her past love and is left in an awkward situation which could potentially cause detriment for her family. The storm that actually takes place during this story serves as the key symbolic element throughout the entire text, as it also helps to tell the story in a representational manner.
As the story begins, Bobinôt and his son Bibi are sitting inside of a store watching outside at the approaching storm (page 32). They stare as the threatening weather draws nearer to them, and begin to worry about Calixta, the mother of Bibi and wife of Bobinôt. At this point, the storm has not yet taken full effect, and is not posing a great threat, just as all members of the family are content and not yet in any type of predicament. However, the storm foreshadows that something wicked is going to take place.
English: Surface weather analysis of Atlantic Trop...
English: Surface weather analysis of Atlantic Trop...
Storm Prediction Center logoAs the storm grows more intense, and the skies began to darken, Calixta began shutting windows and doors in order to prepare for the horrible weather (page 33). During this stage of the storm, the weather threatened those caught in its path, just as Alcee, Calixta's former lover, will soon threaten her marriage and challenge her morals. The story has now reached its climax, along with the storm. Calixta is faced with the decision of allowing Alcee to come in out of the rain for safety or letting him stand on her gallery with the wind and rain beating down on him. Once she had chosen to allow him to enter her house, she began to panic and worry not only that what she was getting herself into was wrong, but also about her family who was still stuck out...