The Storm

A detailed Summary of The Storm


Kate Chopin's short story "The Storm" describes an encounter of infidelity between two lovers during a brief thunderstorm. The story alludes to the controversial topic of women's sexuality and passion, which during Chopin's time no one spoke about much less wrote about. So controversial was "The Storm," that it was not published until after her death in eighteen ninety-nine. The story is broken up into five sections, each filled with small clues and hints that reflect her message. In short, Kate Chopin's "The Storm" is about a confirmation of feminine sexuality and passion and a rejection of the suppression of it by society.

The title of "The Storm" gives the reader a peek into the underlying meaning of the story. It obviously portrays feelings of sexual energy, passion, and explosiveness, but the storm refers to nature, which historically has a feminine association. The storm takes on the personification of a deep, rumbling cloud of feminine sexuality and passion waiting to explode. Throughout the story, the intensity of the storm is symbolic of the intensity of Calixta's passion.


Throughout the story, Chopin depicts feminine sexuality in the imagery of the storm and rejects the repressive view by society of women's sexuality and passion. Curiously, Chopin ends the story by writing, "So the storm passed and every one was happy." This line is done in a "tongue and check" fashion to imply that on the outside, Calixta was satisfied and this encounter was just a passing storm. However, knowing Chopin's true message, one can only feel that a very real sexuality in Calixta will be not limited to a one-time encounter.

tory, Chopin subtly exposes the idea that women of the time are expected to repress their feelings of sexuality and passion. The scene is set as Calixta is attending to household chores unaware that a storm is imminent. Chopin writes, "She sat at a side window sewing furiously on a sewing machine. She was greatly occupied and did not notice the approaching storm. She unfastened her white sacque at the throat. It began to grow dark, and suddenly realizing the situation she got up hurriedly and went about closing windows and doors." This scene foreshadows a sexual encounter to come,

Some common words found in the essay are:
Chopin's Storm, Calixta Chopin, Kate Chopin's, M'sieur Alcee, Curiously Chopin, Chopin Calixta, sexuality passion, feminine sexuality, women's sexuality passion, women's sexuality, throughout story, beneath crack, repressive view, story chopin, kate chopin's, feminine sexuality passion,

Approximate Word count = 763
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

join now Save Paper

Related Essays

  • The Storm Critical Analysis of ampquot The Stormampquot Every storm creeps upon us, hits a luminous climax, and then fades away into nothingness. In The ... 987 words
  • The Storm Kate Chopinamp39s ampquotThe Stormampquot, is a short story about a brief love affair that takes place during a storm that has separated Calixta with her husband and son. ... 479 words
  • The Storm The Storm In Kate Chopinamp39s ampquotThe Stormampquot, the story suggests that passion kept hidden inside will rage violently like a storm until this passion is released. ... 760 words
  • The Storm 2 In the short story, ampquotThe Storm,ampquot Kate Chopin uses the setting to illuminate the theme. ... Just as the storm suddenly develops, Alcee suddenly pursues Calixta. ... 667 words
  • The Storm Analysis of ampquotThe Stormampquot In McKnight Malmaramp39s frightening story ampquotThe Stormampquot she weaves a violent storm and murder together to heighten the horrific fear that ... 794 words

Professional Essays

  • The Storm 56648 The Storm Introduction In Kate Chopins The Storm, we find that the female protagonist, Calixta, suffers from repressed sexual desire even though she is ... 549 words
  • The Storm The Storm In ampquotThe Stormampquot Kate Chopin addresses the difference between the social views of womenamp39s sexuality versus the reality of womenamp39s sexual lives, even ... 522 words
  • The Storm ampamp Feminist Philosophy In Kate Chopinamp39s short story The Storm,the major character Calixta commits adultery, but instead of feeling guilty over an act considered a sin in her time ... 1004 words
  • Kate Chopinamp39s The Storm 56648 The Storm Introduction In Kate Chopins The Storm, we find that the female protagonist, Calixta, suffers from repressed sexual desire even though she is ... 549 words
  • The Storm Kate Chopin Kate Chopin The Storm Chopins The Storm depicts the adulterous union of two married people, Calixta and Alcee. Calixtas husband ... 369 words
  • Operation Desert Storm ... The world community agreed that this was so. Operation Desert Storm was viewed as one of the signal successes of the Bush Administration. ... 1664 words


Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

  • "Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
    Jack M.
  • "With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
    Brian P.
  • "I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
    Sara J.
  • "I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
    Rachel W.
  • "I love this site!!!"
    Marie N.
Home Join Now Support
Acceptable Use Policy About us FAQ
All papers are for research and reference purposes only!
© 2002-2009 DirectEssays.com. All Rights Reserved.