Storm Passes And Alcee Leaves example essay topic

The Storm In Kate Chopin's short story "The Storm", the narrative surrounds the brief affair of two individuals, Calixta and Alcee. Many people don't see the story as a condemnation of infidelity, but rather as an act of human sexuality. This essay argues that "The Storm" may be interpreted as a specific act of sexuality and passion joined with a condemnation of its repression by society. If one is to attempt to interpret "The Storm", it becomes necessary to examine the conditions of the surroundings. The title of "The Storm", with its sexual energy and passion, is of course critical to any interpretation of the narrative. The title refers to nature, so the storm can therefore he seen as symbolic of sexuality and passion.

And the image of the storm will be returned to again and again throughout the story. At the beginning of the story Bobinot and his young son, Bibi decide to wait out a rapidly approaching storm at the store. Bobinot's wife, Calixta, is home alone, tending to the household chores. Calixta's is not aware of the storm approaching, although she is married and has a child, she is unaware of the sexuality and passion within her.

As Calixta is gathering up the laundry, Alcee Laballiere enters the yard, seeking shelter from the coming storm. My first impression of Alcee is that he is pretty well off in the world. Although I see Bobinot as a simple man. There is a mutual attraction between Calixta and Alcee, and this attraction is not new. Calixta has not seen Alcee very often since her marriage, and never alone.

The attraction between Calixta and Alcee is only briefly explored. With Alcee's arrival comes the beginning of the rain, and he asks to wait out the storm on the front gallery Calixta is startled from her sudden awareness that she is still sexually attracted to Alcee, even though both are married. The storm increases quickly and drives Alcee inside. Calixta's appearance is described as "she is a little fuller of figure than five years before she married; but she had not lost nothing of her vivacity". The storm outside continues to increase, reflecting the sexual tension inside. Calixta is becoming as unsettled as the elements outside, the passion of the storm echoing her inner emotions.

Calixta and Alcee move to a window to watch the storm, and when lightning strikes nearby, Calixta staggers backward into Alcee's arms, and for a moment he draws her "close and Spasmodically to him". I don't think Alcee sensed the passion that Calixta feels in the beginning of the story. "the contact of her warm, palpitating body when he had unthinkingly drawn her into his arms, had aroused all the old-time infatuation, and desire for her flesh". Calixta and Alcee embrace, giving into the storm of passion that is now present in both of them. Calixta and Alcee cast aside the constraints of society and the boundaries of their respective marriages.

Neither has found passion of this depth in their respective marriages. Then the storm passes and Alcee leaves. In the end of the story Calixta's passion is seen to be natural, experienced without guilt or shame. Bobinot and Bibi returned home after the storm, and brought his wife (Calixta) some shrimp. Calixta greeted them with nothing but happiness and satisfaction of their safe return. For Calixta the story ends with her renewal of her marital duties, and is now aware of her natural, passionate, sexual nature.

Alcee like Calixta, is newly aware of the depths of the passion within himself, and is not satisfied within the boundaries of his marriage. And so the storm passed and everyone was happy. The story presented sexuality through the imagery of the storm. Calixta was unaware of the sexuality within herself, and it is only by putting aside her marriage, was she able to know her true sexuality. One cannot assume that a brief and limited awakening that passes like a storm will be enough to make one happy, sexually, the storm will eventually return someday. The Storm English 102 The Storm is interpreted as a specific act of sexuality and passion.

The Storm is not only an act of nature, but of passion inside both Calixta and Alcee. The storm comes along with the arrival of Alcee, and leaves as he leaves Calixta. I. The way of nature and human emotions. A. Calixta's emotions are mixed up when Alcee arrives in the story. B. Calixta remembers forgotten feelings toward Alcee. II. The storm gets more vigorous. A. The storm becomes more violent as Calixta feels the attraction for Alcee. B. Alcee draws Calixta close to him.. Alcee unleashes his feelings for Calixta. A. The storm reveals itself as Calixta and Alcee are sexually drawn together. B. Alcee and Calixta see a different side of themselves. English 102.