The Storm

“The Storm,” written by Kate Chopin, is a clever title to express both the weather condition outside and the adultery taking place inside. The severe weather may play a part in why Calixta and Alcee choose to act out of character, but it certainly does not excuse their behavior. Calixta and Alcee have not seen each other since she married another man, but their passionate feelings towards one another can be seen instantly. They may blame the severe weather for their affair, but it does not make what they have done any less wrong. It is seeing each other after such a long time apart that rekindles their feelings, not the weather outside. Had Calixta’s husband and son been gone from home for any other reason they would have acted in the same way. What I find most disturbing about their behavior is how life goes back to normal as quickly as the storm passes. “He turned and smiled at her with a beaming face; and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud” (258). If the storm were the sole cause of the affair both Calixta and Alcee would have feelings of regret by the time the storm had passed, but this clearly is not the case.