Kate Chopin writings are known for its realism and for its focus on the controversial issues of women. The Storm focuses on the issue of infidelity. I thought it interesting to break down the two male characters of The Storm, Bobinot and Alcee and the controversy that surrounds them. The story takes place during a tremendous storm, where when father (Bobinot) and child are away, the mother (Calixta) is left at home. An old lover of Calixta, Alcee, appears and in the heat of a passionate storm makes love to Calixta. The description of the two men in this story, one boring one exciting, gives some insight on why the cheating occurred. They are two completely different men that share one common thread, their love for Calixta.
The story begins with Bobinot and Bibi away from home with the storm approaching. Bobinot is very simple and doesn't seem to be worried about the storm. He shows lack of emotion when his son shows worry about his mother being alone in a dangerous storm:
Wooton, Michael J. Kate Chopin Web Page. http://www.assumption.edu/HTML /Academic/users/ady/HHRomanticism/HHChopin/hpChopin.html
He scraped the mud off Bibi's bare legs and feet with a stick and carefully removed all traces from his heavy brogans. Then, prepared for the worst - the meeting with an over scrupulous housewife; they entered cautiously at the back door. (Chopin 772)
Bobinot is very weak here. He shows worry and fear of what would happen if he weren't presentable to his wife. When he greets his wife, "Bobinot's explanations and apologies which he had been composing all along the way" (Chopin 772) is another sign of a weak husband.
All papers and essays are for research and reference purposes only!
Copyright 2002-2009
Direct Essays , LLC. All Rights Reserved. DMCA Webmasters make $$$$