"The Storm"

Storms are often metaphorical for hard times in peoples everyday lives. This story seemed to be a bit different, because it almost seems like the "storm" lasted for one day and then no one really knew about it, or was naive, and life went back to normal. Alcee and Calixta have this sensuous affair that seems to have history to it. In fact spending time Calixta had, " aroused all the old-time infatuation and desire for her flesh." (pg. 257). Apparently Alcee's family is away doing whatever business they need to attend to, and Calixtas' family is unable to come to the house because they are stuck in the storm. Whether the physical storm caused the actions between Calixta and Alcee because they were scared, or if it just happened to be on that day seems could be debatable. Eventually, Alcee and Calixta would have continued their affair, it just so happened that the storm gave them an opportunity to advance on their desires. Bobinot seems to be a man that cares very much about his representation, and how others see him. He is wiping down Bibi before they go into the house after the storm and it is likely that Calixta is the same. She has dirty laundry, but as long as she presents herself as the perfect wife to her husband than there should be no need for any issues. Clarisse is happy to recieve a tender not from Alcee but at the same time also expressed, " their intimate conjugal life was something which she was more than wiling to forego for a while." (pg. 259). It just shows that everyone has their secrets, and their secret lives that maybe that want to keep hidden from the ones that they care for. In their eyes maybe the believe that what people see from them is more important than what is really beneath the surface. Another way to look at it is that, if someone is happy believing what they want to, why take that from them? It's something that we all do in our everyday lives. Maybe not to that extent, but we all bend the truth here and there until we can forget about it. "So the storm passed and everyone was happy," (pg.259), sums up the story. Is it likely that this is the last "storm" between Calixta and Alcee? I think not, the storm was over for the time being. But that doesn't mean that it can't come back again.