This story takes place in
the small town in Louisiana
where all the characters live. A small fraction of the action takes place at Friedheimer's store, Alcée's house, and the house where Clarisse is vacationing, but the most important setting is Calixta and Bobinôt's home – when Bobinôt is not there.
Where does The Storm by Kate Chopin take place and how can you tell?
”The Storm” by Kate Chopin takes place in
southern Louisiana
. It is possible to tell the setting based on the hints in the story. There is a story that is a prequel to this story: “At the Cadian Ball.” This story introduces the characters and the first meeting for Alcee and Calixta occurs in it.
Why is the setting so important in The Storm?
Chopin uses setting
as a catalyst to
this action, a parallel to the passion between the characters, and as a key to the theme of the story. Setting in this story is the catalyst to the passion that occurs between Alcee and Calixta. The storm occurs just as Alcee rides by.
When was The Storm set?
The story takes place
during the 19th century
in the South of the United States, where storms are frequent and dangerous. It did not appear in print in Chopin's lifetime, but it was published in The Complete Works of Kate Chopin in 1969.
What is Kate Chopin The Storm about?
Meaning of the Title
The storm
parallels Calixta and Alcée passion and affair in its rising intensity, climax, and conclusion
. Like a thunderstorm, Chopin suggests that their affair is intense, but also potentially destructive and passing.
What is the conflict of The Storm?
Kate Chopin's story “The Storm” displays three examples of a man against man style conflict,
Bobinot against his wife Calixtra, Alcee against Calixta
, and Alcee against his wife Clarisse, these show how a nonviolent conflict can occur between characters.
What is the theme of The Storm?
“The Storm ” speaks to the
belief that surrendering to passion need not have disastrous consequences
, despite what conventional morality suggests. The tryst that Calixta and Alce indulge in is consensual, and their passion is unrestrained.
What kind of relationship exists between Calixta and Alcee?
Bobinot and Alcee are both after Calixta for different reasons. Bobinot wants to marry Calixta.
Alcee wants to sleep with her Calixta
. She prefers Alcee because he looks better and has money.
What does The Storm symbolize in The Storm?
The storm is a major symbol in Chopin's short story. It represents
the sexual drive of Calixta and Alcée and the repercussions of this drive
. The storm doesn't frighten Calixta or Alcée any more when they are in each other's arms because they, in a way, have become one with the gale. …
What does Bobinot bring back to his wife Calixta in The Storm?
We know Bobinôt is kind and – oh this word again – full of solicitude. He brings Calixta
a “can of shrimps”
(1.5) because he knows she likes them. He takes good care of their son, whom he speaks to “on terms of perfect equality” (1.1) even though the boy is only four.
Does Calixta truly love Bobinot?
Of course you do. Check out our section on “Themes: Sex.”)
It seems like Calixta loves Bobinôt
. She's worried for his safety when he's out in the storm, super relieved when he and Bibi return unharmed, and nearly ecstatic when presented with the shrimps he brought her.
What event causes Calixta to fall into Alcee's arms?
While Calixta, worried about her family,
it looking out the window the storm sends down a huge lightning bolt into a tree nearby
. This causes her to jump and for Alcee to instinctively grab her in his arms.
What is the climax of the story The Storm by Kate Chopin?
As the storm reaches its climax Chopin refers to the lovers:
“They did not heed the crashing torrents and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms”
(97). By describing the storm during the climax between Calixta and Alcee, Chopin is implying that their passion equals the intensity of the storm.
In what sense does The Storm act as a character in the story?
In “The Storm,” the storm itself could be interpreted as a character
if the reader personifies the storm as such
. In this interpretation, the personified storm comments on, or supplements, the passion between Calixta and Alcée as they make love. In other words, the storm rises, climaxes, and abates.
What do you expect from a story The Storm with such a title?
The title of the story has two intertwined meanings. The first and simplest meaning is literal:
a thunderstorm happens
while Bobinôt and Bibi are away from home. This storm provokes a second metaphorical storm, a storm of passion. Alcée had taken shelter from the storm with Calixta.
Where is Clarisse during The Storm?
Clarisse doesn't take up a lot of space in this short story; she's mentioned in Section 4, and Section 5 is told from her point of view. Alcée's wife, she is
conveniently out of town during the storm
; her absence enables him to cheat on her with less fear of being found out.
