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Post by Emily Willett on Aug 29, 2021 10:13:04 GMT -8
In Kate Chopin's The Storm, a contradition can be seen in the way the storm keeps the different characters away from each other. There is a contrast from the usual as in normal circumstances, a storm would bring people closer to each other. It would force people to stay together in order to keep warm and ensure they don't perish due to the terrible weather. The opposite happens here however because the storm actually keeps Babinot and Bibi away from Calixta and eventually encourages her to start an affair with her old lover Alcee. To elaborate on this idea, the storm essentially creates irony here because we would expect the storm to bring Calixta and her family closer together in this worrying storm. However, it actually brings her and Alcee closer together as they have a passionate affair during the storm. This can also go along with the storm's symbolism of danger and negative events as it went along with Calixta cheating on her husband. |
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Post by Christine Gu .-. on Aug 29, 2021 10:44:48 GMT -8
One of the contradictions from "The Storm" is Calixta's thoughts and actions. When Calixta realized that a storm is approaching, she became worried for her husband Bobinot and their four year-old son, Bibi. But once lightning strikes, Alcee embraces Calixta, and they begin to engage in a heated session. Chopin takes advantage of the setting of the storm and use it as a plot device. According to HTRLLAP, the rain from the storm is used to force characters together, or force characters apart. In this case, the rain confines Alcee and Calixta together in a house, while it separated Bobinot and Calixta. The storm also serves as a metaphor for a fragile relationship between Alcee and Calixta and Bobinot and Calixta and expression of vulnerability Calixta showed towards Alcee. Likewise, the effect of the storm is destructing anything in its path or it can just pass by with minimal damage. Piecing these elements together, Calixta's contradictions of her thoughts (worrying for husband and child and right after having an affair, Calixta "express[ed] nothing but satisfaction at their safe return" ) and actions (having an affair with Alcee, despite her thoughts, and feeling so shame or guilt) also reflects the setting of the storm and vice versa because the storm is seen as violent and destructive, but it passed, and the love affairs between Alcee and Calixta is seen as unacceptable in society, but they got away with it. As a result, "the storm passed and everyone was happy" which brings up the notion that ignorance is bliss.
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Post by celinaespanta on Aug 29, 2021 10:47:51 GMT -8
The storm intensifies when Calixta and Alcee are alone together, but the two are laughing and enjoying each other's companies. This serves as a contradictory because while the weather becomes more violent outside, Calixta and Alcee are enjoying their time together inside a shelter, barely even paying attention to the storm. At the same time, this shows that Calixta and Alcee's past feelings for each other have never went away throughout the years and releases like a "storm" when they're guaranteed to be alone together. The storm intensifying when Calixta and Alcee are together also signify that a peaceful love between them is unattainable.
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Post by celinaespanta on Aug 29, 2021 10:52:42 GMT -8
One of the contradictions from "The Storm" is Calixta's thoughts and actions. When Calixta realized that a storm is approaching, she became worried for her husband Bobinot and their four year-old son, Bibi. But once lightning strikes, Alcee embraces Calixta, and they begin to engage in a heated session. Chopin takes advantage of the setting of the storm and use it as a plot device. According to HTRLLAP, the rain from the storm is used to force characters together, or force characters apart. In this case, the rain confines Alcee and Calixta together in a house, while it separated Bobinot and Calixta. The storm also serves as a metaphor for a fragile relationship between Alcee and Calixta and Bobinot and Calixta and expression of vulnerability Calixta showed towards Alcee. Likewise, the effect of the storm is destructing anything in its path or it can just pass by with minimal damage. Piecing these elements together, Calixta's contradictions of her thoughts (worrying for husband and child and right after having an affair, Calixta "express[ed] nothing but satisfaction at their safe return" ) and actions (having an affair with Alcee, despite her thoughts, and feeling so shame or guilt) also reflects the setting of the storm and vice versa because the storm is seen as violent and destructive, but it passed, and the love affairs between Alcee and Calixta is seen as unacceptable in society, but they got away with it. As a result, "the storm passed and everyone was happy" which brings up the notion that ignorance is bliss. The HTRLLAP reference explains why the storm became most violent when Calixta and Alcee were physically, emotionally, and intimately closest to each other. The storm only began to simmer down once Calixta and Alcee began to separate from each other, and it stopped when Alcee left Calixta's house immediately after. |
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Post by Christine Gu .-. on Aug 29, 2021 11:07:19 GMT -8
The weather is dark and stormy, with “certain somber clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from the west, accompanied by a sullen, threatening roar” (page 1), creating a rather depressing mood. Right away, we begin to associate the atmosphere with incoming disaster and the negative feelings that come with having to stay cooped up inside when a storm approaches. However, the settings affects the situation of each character differently. Whereas Bobinot and Bibi faced the misfortune of having to wait out the storm inside the wooden store as the elements rained down outside, Calixta and Alcee had a fabulous time, “not [heeding] the crashing torrents,” which made Calixta “laugh as she lay in his arms” (page 2), showing a contradiction of the implications of a storm since the two were feeling the opposite of glum and bored. The setting also gave Calixta and Alcee the opportunity to have an affair, which is also a contradiction since we perceive storms as disasters that take away opportunities. These contradictions can convey the possibility of still attaining joy in atmospheres that have the potential to prevent it. In chapter 9 of HTRRLLP, “It’s More Than Just Rain or Snow,” Foster mentions rain having a cleansing effect. By carrying out her affair inside the bedroom, Calixta is protected from that cleansing, allowing her to keep her tarnished personality as seen by her having an affair. I agree with this interpretation. While Bob and Bibi were having a bad time in the storm, Alcee and Calixta were having a good time, so the two situations contradicts with another. Additionally, the way you included how the rain has a cleansing effect really plays in with how the story goes, as it also brings up the point how the setting also contradicts with each other. |
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Post by Amos Yeung on Aug 29, 2021 11:32:12 GMT -8
Throughout the story, the rain and storm portrays a miserable and gloom atmosphere. However this setting in the beginning simply foreshadows the incoming disasters and the escalation of problems. The beginning of the storm describes the events in which Bobinot and Bibi are forced to stay under shelter until the storm settled down and unable to reach home. But when describing the events for Calixta and Alcee, they expressed moments of enjoyment and happiness throughout the affair despite the setting present itself in a gloomy, yet destructive ways. The setting describes itself when the water from the rain begins to seep under the door and lightning begins to strike the very wooden boards that they once stood upon which contradicts the feeling of comfort as expressed by the cheating couple. This is applicable to HTRLLAP because it expresses the cleansing effect toward the family and the thunder represents God's warning toward the couple having an affair regarding the future consequences.
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tony
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Post by tony on Aug 29, 2021 11:41:02 GMT -8
One of the contradictions in the Text storm is the pleasure focused relationship between colixta and Alcee despite her child and husband being out in the storm. As discussed in HTRLAP the act of intercourse can have any meanings in these case i believe it symbolizes her "eating the apple" and giving in to the temptation and causing a metaphorical storm similar to the real storm happening around them. While its chaotic and the people outside are scared and being careful for their safety calxita and her histress are inside embracing each other. Towards the end of the story her child comments on her appearance hinting at the affair and growing the metaphorical storm in the family.
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tony
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Post by tony on Aug 29, 2021 11:43:31 GMT -8
Throughout the story, the rain and storm portrays a miserable and gloom atmosphere. However this setting in the beginning simply foreshadows the incoming disasters and the escalation of problems. The beginning of the storm describes the events in which Bobinot and Bibi are forced to stay under shelter until the storm settled down and unable to reach home. But when describing the events for Calixta and Alcee, they expressed moments of enjoyment and happiness throughout the affair despite the setting present itself in a gloomy, yet destructive ways. The setting describes itself when the water from the rain begins to seep under the door and lightning begins to strike the very wooden boards that they once stood upon which contradicts the feeling of comfort as expressed by the cheating couple. This is applicable to HTRLLAP because it expresses the cleansing effect toward the family and the thunder represents God's warning toward the couple having an affair regarding the future consequences. I think your analysis was good I agree with the part where you say the storm is a warning from god about the affair however I don't agree on the cleansing effect. If anything I believe it shows a corrupting of the family similar to when eve ate the apple but i think the part about gods wrath was spot on. |
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Post by Amos Yeung on Aug 29, 2021 11:50:23 GMT -8
Expanding upon Emily, even the text itself hinted the events, as said "...certain sombre clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from the west", like as if Calixta and Alcee presumptively understood their actions to come, or more simply that the weather further cloaks the sinful affair into secrecy. Even the stormy weather itself attempts to break this secret, through local lightning strikes illuminating the house, which Calixta immediately recognizes as a danger and momentarily stops the action, like admitting guilty. Personally I did not think that the events like the lightning strikes were admitting guilt. I tried to look at it from a perspective in which God was showing disapproval of such doings, especially during his cleansing (represented by the rain). During their expression of the rain, I do believe that the weather cloaks the sinful affair into secrecy as the actions of the characters and descriptions of the setting describes this point well. This is shown when Calixta decides to close the shutters which could be seen as blocking away the public from such secrets and the misty air which blocks the view to other cabins. |
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Post by Luigi Lozano on Aug 29, 2021 12:41:34 GMT -8
Kate Chopin's short story, "The Storm", revolves around the disastrous setting in atmosphere between the numerous characters that are facing nature alone. From the beginning of the story, for instance, there existed a "sinister intention from the west, accompanied by a sullen, threatening roar" (Chopin 1). This mention of a sinister intention is the storm that is approaching. However, there stood a contradiction between the setting and the events in the story as the events that existed was not uniform to the setting. The setting was continuously pressuring and ominous to the characters among the story, but different characters reacted differently to the same storm. Based on circumstance, some characters felt safe in their location, while others felt uneasy. Based on How to Read Literature Like a Professor, the text states "geography can also define or even develop character" (Foster 116). This context indicates that no matter what circumstance the characters came through, the actual geography they resided in was what constituted their character. If the location was safe, then the characters feel safe, contradicting the idea of a dangerous setting. However, if the location was unsafe, then the characters feel unsafe, even though the storm exists throughout all of the characters.
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Post by Luigi Lozano on Aug 29, 2021 13:03:59 GMT -8
One of the contradictions in the Text storm is the pleasure focused relationship between colixta and Alcee despite her child and husband being out in the storm. As discussed in HTRLAP the act of intercourse can have any meanings in these case i believe it symbolizes her "eating the apple" and giving in to the temptation and causing a metaphorical storm similar to the real storm happening around them. While its chaotic and the people outside are scared and being careful for their safety calxita and her histress are inside embracing each other. Towards the end of the story her child comments on her appearance hinting at the affair and growing the metaphorical storm in the family. You are one hundred percent correct Anthony Bizzaro! I fully agree with your interpretation of the storm actually being able to affect the relationships that exist in the story. There existed a change among the people, and it was due to the storm that the people are able to come together, in spite of their own fears. I also believe they were able to grow out their feelings after seeing how inevitable the storm was in strength. |
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Post by Maya V. on Aug 29, 2021 13:07:15 GMT -8
I feel as though the weather signifies more on the sons part than it does Calixta and Alcee. As parts of the story have led me to belive that the son knows, at least in part of Calixta and Alcee's "meetings". As he is coming home, he gets very dirty, due to the storm, while Calixta is described a lot with "white", a color normally signifying purity. While the son is coming home dirty, showing he may be hiding something, or is metaphorically "dirty as well".
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Post by Maya V. on Aug 29, 2021 13:12:06 GMT -8
One contradiction, in the excerpt from “The Storm,” by Jack London, is the circumstances and locations Calixta and Bobinot are in during the storm. Taking into account the time period this novel was written in, the husband would’ve been tasked with creating income, whereas the wife would’ve been tasked with housekeeping. Although, it is implied that they have a housekeeper. The irony shows when Bobinot, the husband, has to trudge through the mud to make his way back home, but Calixta just cheats on him inside the safety and comfort of furniture. Focusing on an HTRLAP perspective on geography for contradictions, rain may represent purification, life, or washing away something. However, because Calixta stays away from the rain, she “misses” the chance and isn’t “purified” from her unfaithfulness to her husband. I like the way you brought in that she missed the chance to be "purified", as she did completly miss the rain and the weather all together. Also helping to show her unfaithfulness and greed, as she is only thinking about herself in the storm, and never thinks twice about her husband or son, she is the one who should be "purifying" but instead is sheltering in her home furthering her non-purified self. |
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Post by Anuthmi Waas on Aug 29, 2021 13:19:03 GMT -8
One complexity that can be seen between the storm and the events of the short story is the change in the attitude surrounding the storm. When the storm is first starting, there is a sense of animosity that is built up along with Alcee's entrance. This works to display how a storm can bring in danger, as Alcee is the danger to Calixta and her marriage. However, a contradiction can be seen later after Alcee and Calixta are intimate: "The growl of thunder was distant and passing away. The rain beat softly upon the shingles, inviting them to drowsiness and sleep." The significance of this scene is that the strom now seems to be connotated positively, whereas prior to this, the storm was associated with danger, darkness and fear.
This can be connected to HTRLLAP as it is a play on a bargain with the devil. Alcee can be seen as a representation of the Devil, which is first introduced when he rides in with the storm and continues to be a threat to Calixta's relationship. Moreover, the deal with the devil is completed when Calixta sleeps with Alcee. She betrays her marriage and husband to Alcee and gets comfort as a result. She feels safe in the storm with Alcee, and gains comfort, while getting rid of her fears of the storm, but not without selling her 'soul'.
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Post by Mariah Smith on Aug 29, 2021 13:20:31 GMT -8
Expanding on what Emily said, I agree with the idea that while everyone, specifically her husband and children, are worried about her well being and her being alone during the scary storm, she's inside having a grand old time and an affair with Alcee. They are displaying the total opposite of normal feelings when a storm is happening such as fear and fright. They instead are laughing and enjoying themselves.
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