Calm Before A Storm example essay topic

The Storm is a story with much symbolism and irony. The actual storm is what most of the irony is based on. In this story I believe that the storm represents the character Calixta, Alcee, and their relationship. First, the storm is in many ways like the character Calixta. Like a storm, Calixta began as quiet, calm and un threatening to man. But as her passion began to brew, she became electric and powerful; a force driven by nature, as inefficient at controlling her own desires as a storm is at controlling the damage it leaves in its path.

The quote, "Calixta, at home, felt no uneasiness for their safety. She sat at a side window sewing furiously on a sewing machine". shows her as being calm. There is always calm before a storm. Her emotions were calm before her storm started. As the storm approaches suddenly in the sky, it approaches without warning for Calixta.

However she was unable to lock up her heart like she did her house. In the story when Chopin says, "The playing of lighting was incessant. A bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field. It filled all visible space with a blinding glare and crash seemed to invade the very boards they stood upon". I believe she is talking about the rush of emotions Calixta was experiencing. They shook her to her core and rocked her soul.

Then, I believe that the storm in many ways is representative of the character Alcee. Just like the storm outside, Monsieur Alcee rumbles into the house of Calixta as well as into her heart. "As she stepped outside, Alcee Lab alli " ere rode in at the gate". Shows how he flew into her home like the storm. Later it explains "Alcee flung himself into a rocker" the word flung implies that he was rough like a storm.

The quote, "Alcee's arm encircled her" is like the storm closing in. Finally the storm is representative of the relationship going on between Calixta and Alcee. As unpredictable as the storm is, Alcee and Calixta are. It was almost as if some force came over them and they were swept up into the moment. The intensity of their sexual act inside the house follows the pattern of the storm outside also. Their passion climaxes and diminishes with the storm.

They are left replenished and fresh just like nature. The storm outside had been brewing for some time, just as it had been brewing between Calixta and Alcee. They tried to deter the storm by locking up the house just as they tried to deter their feelings but locking up their emotions. When it says, "The growl of the thunder was distant and passing away.

The rain beat softly upon the shingles; inviting then to drowsiness and sleep. But they dared not yield". The storm had come to an end and so had their love affair they didn't dare go to sleep though because Alcee had to leave. It says, "The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems. Calixta, on the gallery, watched Alcee ride away.

He turned and smiled at her with a beaming face; and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud". This is to me showing the rainbow after a storm. They are in bliss and very tranquil in a "glistening green world" that is like "a palace of gems". All is good now. "The Storm passed and everyone was happy.".