The Storm-answer to question # 9

In this short story, the actual storm of the weather plays a huge part of the adultery--thus, the name "The Storm". Storms are naturally known aphrodisiacs in the first place and the fact that the two former lovers were left alone in the storm made this even more tempting to them. I don't necessarily feel that the storm excuses their actions at all, but it certainly would aid to the fact that they gave in to their desires so seemingly easily, without a lot of hesitancy. If it were not for the storm itself, Bibi and Bobinot would have been home with her, Alcee would not have been "stranded" at her house and brought into the house. I think that the storm was not all to blame for aiding to their passions--there was probably an immense amount of passion still leftover from when they were truly lovers in the past. It was probably something that may have happened even if it were a sunny day and the two were left alone because this was their first meeting since Calixta was married. But, again storms seem to bring out the "wild side" in much of us.