The Storm

When I first started reading this story, I thought this story was going to be about a storm and how it affected a community, not how a personal relationship “storm” was created. However, when Alcee rode up right before the storm hit, I had the feeling that something was going to happen. Especially on p. 256 when the text began describing how Calixta looked. “She was a little fuller of figure than five years before when she married; but she had lost nothing of her vivacity. Her blue eyes still retained their melting quality; and her yellow hair, disheveled by the wind and rain, kinked more stubbornly than ever about her ears and temples.” I was a little surprised when Calixta did not respond to Alcee’s “arm encircling” her on p. 257 and instead was worried about Bibi’s safety. “Calixta put her hands to her wyws and with a cry, staggered backward. Alcee’s arm encircled her, and for an instant he drew her close and spasmodically to him.” I was even more certain that something was going to happen between Alcee and Calixta when the text began describing her looks a second time. “Her lips were as red and moist as pomegranate seed. Her white neck and a glimpse of her full, firm bosom disturbed him powerfully” (p. 257). As I read on I was not surprised to see that the two actually did have an affair. It seems that in times of trouble or worry, people sometimes make very brash decisions that are sometimes confusing.