Kate Chopin's
The late 1800s were not an era where "erotic" literature was popular, where feminists flourished, or where contemporary feminist ideas were typically thought, written about, or published. Kate Chopin, however, wrote "The Storm", a story in which the protagonist, Calixta, is a sexually and spiritually frustrated housewife who has a one-time affair to improve her state of mind and her life. In "The Storm", Chopin uses modern day feminist ideas and beliefs, metaphors and symbolism, and erotic tone and language to form the plot of her story. Everything in the story occurs with the storm. Chopin wrote the storm in an effort to abolish the thought of "women are created to serve men" and also to show readers a women's perspective on how oppressed and confined a woman can feel in marriage. Chopin wanted readers to see and realize that women too became bored and repressed in uninspiring situations, that women had the same desires and needs that men had, and that like men, they had the means and cravings to enhance their situation. "The Storm" redefines sexual standards of the time and also paints a picture of human, particularly feminine, nature and its tendency to long towards sexual desire.
The storm winded down, as did they. Calixta watches Alcee ride off as the storm too recedes. Calixta is so enchanted that she laughs out loud. Calixta is at home and has not yet noticed the storm, however realizes the heat and humidity. This storm and her awareness of it represents her brewing, ambivalent sexual desires. The heat she feels before realizing the storm provokes her to unbutton her collar and dab at the beads of perspiration forming on her forehead. Here, Chopin is starting to set the mood with vague, erotic language and foreshadow the events that are about to occur. Bobinot staying out of the storm represents him staying away from his wife's burning sexual desire. Their affair also enlightened Alcee and his view on women and their needs and desires. When he gets home he writes to his wife who is vacationing with their children. His wife is pleased when she receives the letter telling her to stay longer if she wishes.
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Approximate Word count = 990
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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