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Post by Abraham Zaman on Aug 29, 2021 23:51:22 GMT -8
One of the contradictions in "The Storm" is the contrast between the purity of the house, and Calixta and Alcee's affair. The inside of the house is described to have white bedsheets and a white bed, however when Calixta and Alcee begin thei r affair, they do it on the white bedsheets, which is contrasted to the sinful nature and dirtiness of their actions. Additionally, when Bibi and Bobinot return to the house, they are covered in mud and dirt, tracking the dirt into the clean house. From How to Read Literature like a Professor, we know that rain has a symbolic meaning, and that it can often bring out a person's true character since walking in the mud tends to make a character more stained, miserable, and angry. However, even though Bibi and Bobinot are the ones caught in the rain, it is Calixta's character that is brought out in the story, through her affair, and the fact that she instantly returns to normal after her affair showcases the contrasting sides of her personality. The contradictions of purity and uncleanliness are very interesting, in that Kate Chopin is actually trying to break barriers in what society considers clean and not clean. This can be seen in the calm ending, which seemingly endorses adultery. Thus, these contradictions can actually be seen as the method by which Chopin is representing changing societal norms and her own ethics. |
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Post by trinityhallberg on Aug 30, 2021 6:33:49 GMT -8
The weather in "The Storm" reflects the rising tension and chaotic event that was about to ensue within the story, however a condradiction that can also be seen is that our main characters seem to not think about what they're doing is wrong or chaotic, just like the storm. When the rain is pouring, "The rain was coming down in sheets obscuring the view of far-off cabins and enveloping the distant wood in a gray mist. The playing of the lightning was incessant. A bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field" (3), the storm is getting closer and closer, which can also be said about the event of the affair. The storm is approaching and so are the events that later occur. In chapter 9 of HTTRLAP, weather can be known to be used as a device to push character together and we know that the storm approaching puts these two characters, Calixta and Alcee together. The moment when they get together, "Alcée‟s arm encircled her, and for an instant he drew her close and spasmodically to him" (3), they are drawn to eachother in fashion to where it seems inevitable, just like the storm.
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Post by trinityhallberg on Aug 30, 2021 6:39:05 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. Although the storm is driving the characters to perform these actions, they seem to be so consumed in their actions, they're not even aware of the setting, the storm that brought them together. They are so focused on eachother, it could've been anything that brought them together, all they needed was a little push from something. This something happened to be the violent storm causing these events to ensue in this story. |
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Post by Ximena Juarez on Aug 30, 2021 7:31:30 GMT -8
The setting of "The Storm" is contradictory in the sense that the placement of the characters help represent the situation in which they are in. The lady who is cheating on her husband is in a house with metal shingles which protect the secret, and the father and son are in a wood shack buying groceries during the storm. The contradiction of the cheating woman being under a strong shelter and the rest of the family being in an unstable store building, places emphasis on the plot of the story. Being protected of a dark secret is a representative of how well she is able to hide it so well from her husband and son. The wood shack can represent the shaky relationship that presumes within the relationship of the married couple.
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Post by Ximena Juarez on Aug 30, 2021 7:35:56 GMT -8
In Kate Chopin's short story, The Storm presents multiple contradictions that stands out throughout the story with hints of foreshadowing that contributes to the overall mysterious and ominous mood. The male figures in the story first leaves to the store, leaving Calixta at home to ensure her safety; however, that contradicts with the secret affair she had while her husband and son were away because the unstoppable storm had caused her to let another man inside her house. Furthermore, the house was described as a warm, comforting, and very white, but as soon as the father and son had arrived home, their muddy and dirty clothes/shoes represents another contradiction because the secret affair doesn't associate with the color white (purity, cleanliness). On the other hand, the husband and son were the ones with good intentions but ended up getting dirty. Your analysis of the contradictions is a very interesting take. I agree that the symbolism of the colors can help to represent how the husband and son were dirty instead of the woman. It can relate to the fact that at the end of the day, the actions of the woman have repercussions on the rest of the family, without her being aware. |
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Post by Ximena Juarez on Aug 30, 2021 7:42:02 GMT -8
In the short story "The Storm," there are many contradictions throughout the story that connect the various settings that are present. One contradiction that stood out to me was when Calixta and Alcee were in the house enjoying each other's company as if a storm was not brewing outside. In How to Read Literature Like a Professor, it mentions that storms, usually represent danger, conflict, and depression. This is a great representation of what happened in "The Storm" because, in the heat of the storm, it was when Calixta and Alcee cheated and is the climax of the story. The event that happened during the storm was the conflict that would harm their families. I agree with your statement Kryslin, the overall setting of the story revolving around the storm has a lot to represent in terms of the relationships of the characters. I believe the contradictions of the setting and characters in this sense helps to put emphasis how they were calm but in reality it was causing chaos onto other things. The storm on the rest of the area, and in a metaphorical manner, the storm being the action of cheating, on the marriages. |
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Post by hchen2 on Sept 12, 2021 23:56:45 GMT -8
The setting of "The Storm" greatly distinguishes the difference between the two main characters, Calixta and Alcee. The storm as a setting is typically perceived in two different ways; one, as a terrifying, depressing event; two, as a cozy, romantic scene. Calixta and Aclee exemplify the difference in perception of the storm; Calixta is terrified, while Aclee does not show any concern and sees the storm as an excuse to spend a romantic evening with Calixta. The lovers' differing perceptions to the storm also show the difference in their emotions regarding their love affair. Calixta, who is afraid of the storm, is also afraid that her love affair with Aclee will be exposed, and she feel guilt over the matter. Aclee, on the other hand, seems carefree and not at all concerned about whether his affair with Calixta will be exposed. Additionally, Aclee seems to lack remorse over cheating on his devoted wife with Calixta.
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Post by hchen2 on Sept 13, 2021 0:00:22 GMT -8
In HTTRLLAP, there is a chapter that talks about rain, and how it may symbolize growth and maturity, yet adultery is a sinful practice. During the storm, which should cleanse the soul as per what may archetypes and stereotypes may suggest to us, instead a sin that breaks entire families apart talks place. The rain also represents isolation, as the husband and the son were seeking shelter in a convenience store that they were first venturing towards. It also brings people together, however not the people that one may want to bring together in the first place. The storm in this story represents conflict as a whole, setting up the rising action as wholesome people close to you get separated from you while people that may bring out the sinner out of you may show up randomly. Hi Om, I agree with your interpretation of this conflict. Indeed, rain typically symbolizes cleanliness, while in this context, it symbolizes isolation and means to separate a family. I also see the storm as a third-person character who views the affair in its full context, frowning upon the sinful characters. |
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