"The Storm" question 9

In the story, The Storm, Calixta and Alcee commit adultery during a storm. I do not think the storm excuses their behavior. I do not think that anything would. Both individuals were already married and seemed to love their spouses very much, so why do such a thing?

As soon as the characters see each other, they are tempted. Alcee had meant to just stand on the porch, but the rain started to come through the boards. “He expressed an intention to remain outside, but it was soon apparent that he might as well have been out in the open: the water beat in upon the boards in driving sheets, and he went inside, closing the door after him” (Chopin 256). This sentence suggests that his intentions may have been honorable at first, but the rain drove him into the house, making the tension rise.

“The door stood open, and the room with its white, monumental bed, its closed shutters, looked dim and mysterious” (Chopin 256). They are aware of the bedroom being just a little ways away. The windows are already closed, so no one would be able to see what was going on.

When Calixta and Alcee give in to temptation, there is no guilt. “They did not heed the crashing torrents, and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms” (Chopin 257). This suggests that Calixta feels better now that she has finally given in to her desire for Alcee.

As they lay there, “The growl of the thunder was distant and passing away. The rain beat softly upon the shingles,…” (Chopin 258). The storm has subsided outside as well as within the characters.
Each character goes back to their spouse and acts like nothing happened. Alcee writes a love letter to his wife, and Calixta seems very excited and relieved to have her husband and son home safe.

“So the storm passed and everyone was happy” (Chopin 259). I do not see how this statement can be true. The storm did not give the characters the right to commit adultery. They should have been ashamed of what they had done. They should have felt an immense sense of guilt, but they did not. The storm did help them out in committing this act though. Could it be that they knew they would not be discovered because nobody in his right mind would travel in it? They could have justified by the storm, because they knew it would be something they could sweep under the rug, never to be discovered.