FREE ESSAY ON KATE CHOPIN THE STORM

KATE CHOPIN THE STORM

Kate Chopin: The Storm
Kate Chopin lived from 1851 until 1904. She was born Katherine O'Flaherty and was raised
in post- Civil War St. Louis by parents who were on the upper end of society. She married
Oscar Chopin, moved to New Orleans, and had six children. After her husband died, Chopin
moved back to St. Louis to start her writing career at age 33. She incorporated many
taboos about literature into her writing. Some of these taboos were female sexuality,
struggles, and triumph over the stereotypes that had been placed on them over the
centuries. She was a very popular writer until 1898 when she wrote about even more
controversial issues in Awakening. Many people felt that her views were very feminist and
her previously loyal fans quickly rejected her writings, causing her to not attempt to
write anything more.
Chopin's short story, The Storm, shows the reader some of the controversial issues she
wrote about. It was written in 1898 and was one of the last stories that she wrote before
Awakening. It tells of the struggles of one woman to find happiness and excitement in her
everyday life. The reader really does not get much information on the relationship at the
beginning of the story, but one can imagine that it was becoming monotonous and boring.
The title itself lets the reader know that this storm is the result of a long chain of
events that have built up over time, like a thunderstorm in the middle of the summer
comes after many long days of intense heat. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss
the events that lead to the apex of the 'storm,' the consequences that follow the
decisions that are made, and how this short story could be seen as feministic.
The beginning of the story presents the reader with two male characters in a country
store. It is a father (Bobinot) and son (Bibi) who are just about to leave and go home
when they realize that a large storm is on the way. They mention that there is someone
(wife/mother) waiting at home for them but they don't put that much effort into
attempting to get home. They seem to believe that everything will be all right if they
just stay there and wait out the storm. These characters aren't seen as uncaring, but
more as unconcerned about the welfare of the mother. The only thing that they do that is
seen as kind and thoughtful is when the father purchases a can of shrimps to take home
for her.
The next section of the story shows Calixta, the mother, sitting at a window sewing. She
isn't concerned for the safety of her family and doesn't realize that there is a storm
approaching. Like many relationships, things may be going along just fine until
'opportunity' flashes, like lightening, and a decision has to be made that will change
the future. Calixta's opportunity is in the shape of a man named Alcee Lavalliere. He
shows up at her gate as she is attempting to get her husband's clothes off of the porch.
He asks for shelter and Calixta offers to let him wait out the storm inside. She realizes
that she hasn't been alone with Alcee since she was married and feels the temptation that
she knows she must suppress. 
At this point, Chopin takes a little time from the action of the story to give a
description of the house and especially the bedroom. She says about how Calixta and Alcee
are in the dining room that adjoins with the bedroom that is described as dim and
mysterious. Chopin is giving a sort of 'hook' for the rest of the story by giving these
precise descriptions of the bedroom. The reader wants to know what will happen in that
room and what the consequences will be. 
Chopin then sets her characters in a classic 'love scene' next to the window. Alcee is
standing behind Calixta. The action begins when lightening strikes a tree across the
field and Calixta basically falls into the arms of Alcee. At first she pulls herself away
from him and tries to evade his charms. She goes through an inner turmoil that is equal
to none she has ever experienced before. She knows that she cannot morally betray her
husband, but she knows that he will not be home until after the storm has passed, and
there is virtually no way he would find out. She makes the decision to go with her
emotions and give in to her desires. 
When Calixta decides to give herself to Alcee, the action is switched to his point of
view. This change of voice can be interpreted in two ways. The first way to look at it is
as if Calixta's feelings and emotions are unimportant. By focusing on Alcee's feelings,
Calixta's seem to get pushed out of the way. However, it can also be seen as Calixta
taking advantage of the situation and getting what she wants from Alcee. Chopin tells the
reader of all these emotions that Alcee is going through that are filled with language of
love and emotion, when there is actually no hope that there will be anything significant
between Calixta and Alcee. Chopin is taking the stereotype of women as inferior and
emotional and reversing it. She gives all these emotional, gushing feelings to Alcee and
makes him the one who is going to become attached.
When Bobinot and Bibi return home from the store, they are very concerned about their
appearance and try to clean up before they reach the house. However, Calixta is not
concerned with their appearance and feigns that she is glad that they made it home. She
is showing the classic signs of guilt by over-expressing and over-emphasizing everything
she says and does. However, the trick is on the men who have no idea that anything has
happened and go on with their lives just like nothing had even occurred.
Near the end of the story, the reader is allowed a glimpse of Alcee and his actual life.
As it turns out, he has a wife and children and writes them a letter after his day with
Calixta to tell them that he is doing okay and that they can stay on vacation longer if
they are enjoying themselves. He does this because he feels that there will be something
more between him and Calixta. He is a fool and doesn't see that she 'played' him and used
him to satisfy one of her desires. 
This story could be seen as feministic for many reasons. The way that Calixta disregards
her responsibilities to her husband and son and goes after what she wants is a great
example of this. Also, she doesn't get caught, had some fun, and her marriage wasn't
ruined. This is an example of how Chopin felt that women should take control of their
lives and change them if they aren't completely happy.
Kate Chopin was a great writer who wasn't truly appreciated until years after her death.
However, her views and ideas are still relevant in today's society. I also commend her
for expressing her views and feelings even though she knew that the public would disagree
with her. It is a shame that she was not recognized during her life as the great writer
that she was.