A Storm Within the Storm

A Storm Within the Storm

There are two storms in Kate Chopin's "The Storm." The first happens as Bobinot (Calixta's husband) and Bibi (Calixta's son) are at Freidheimer's store. Unable to walk home in such a downpour, they remain there waiting for the storm to pass. Meanwhile, "Calixta, at home, felt no uneasiness for their safety" (108). Preparing for the storm, Calixta goes to gather the clothes on the line outside. "As she stepped outside, Alcee Laballiere rode in at the gate. She had not seen him very often since her marriage, and never alone" (108). As they both took refuge in the house from the storm outside, the second storm begins to brew.

Calixta, scared from the storm, finds herself in Alcee's arms. "Do you remember-in Assumption, Calixta? he asked...Oh! she remembered; for in Assumption he had kissed her and kissed her and kissed her" (109). As both storms begin to peak, they retreat to her bedroom. "They did not heed the crashing torrents, and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms. Her firm, elastic flesh that was knowing for the first time its birthright, was like a creamy lily" (110).

This second storm seems to pass with the first. "The rain is over...Calixta, on the gallery, watched Alcee ride away. He turned and smiled; and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud" (110). As Bobinot and Bibi return, they enter in the backdoor expecting the wrath of Calixta for being muddy. To their surprise, she is rather carefree and seems only interested in their safe return. Bobinot pulls out from his pocket, shrimp he had purchased earlier, and they prepare to feast that night. The feast was full of laughter and relaxation.

In the meantime, Alcee writes his wife, Clarisse, in Beloxi. "It was a loving letter, full of tender solitude" (111).

How does everything just go back to normal without difficulty of any kind? So much passion and lust can only lead to quandary, yet goes unnoticed and looks to be erased from the memories of the ones who committed such acts. I think Kate Chopin puts it best as she says, "So the storm passed and everyone was happy" (111). As we read closer in the story, we see she is not only speaking of the obvious physical storm, but also the storm within the storm.