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Post by Matthew Lee on Aug 24, 2024 14:50:34 GMT -8
Through reading the story through the lens of a feminist, the common argument that could be made is that Calixta, from the beginning of the story, suffers from the disadvantages from being a woman in the 19th century. The story presents certain examples by showing her separated in her assigned tasks as a mother. Her husband and son spend the day outside casually purchasing groceries whilst Calixta is sat at their home working tirelessly by sewing, doing laundry, and preparing her son's sunday clothes. This intensity is represented through the time she takes to wipe her head of sweat and the fact she doesn't see the approaching storm. Again, the feminist lens may come to conclude the harshness of the burden of labor a wife or even a mother was tasked with during such a time period. The relief she later achieves only by having an affair with her husband, suggests that labor is not the only thing a woman suffers during the 19th century, but also possible verbal or physical abuse. The theory is also suggested in the description of her son's demeanor; the narrator describes Bibi as overly mature for his age and that his father talks to him almost on an even field of intellect. The way the story also doesn't out describe the ways of possible abuse can suggest that domestic abuse during the 19th century commonly went unnoticed as any form of retaliation would leave the wife questioned by others as to her loyalty to her husband. The more vague argument which the feminist perspective might make is through the affair itself. During the moments before it Calixta doesn't seem to wish to act on her feelings because she knows that such an act is wrong, but isn't until Alce pushes her to give into her feelings does she finally do so. The encouragement from Alce is capable of being seen as a form of manipulation placed onto Calixta, which women suffered more, also as a result of if they retaliated in some way they would be questioned by their surrounding societal normalities. To serve as one more argument which the feminist perspective might make is from the last moments of the story where after Calixta and Alce had their affair, the ending of the storm serves as a feeling of relief which washes over both Calixta and Alce, but also the moment which her husband and son return home and which she understands she must then return to her original persona of being the obedient and overcaring housewife, showing that though she got away from the pressures of being a female in the 19th century she never truely escaped. Hey Jaron, I really enjoyed your unique analysis of "The Storm." I agree with you in that Calixta's daily activities may initially seem to be insignificant details, but in reality they serve to set up Chopin's implicit argument against societal norms for women. I never really thought about the story in this fashion, but your analysis effectively brings a new meaning to the story for me. I think that Alce's actions could be interpreted in multiple ways, and the idea that he quietly manipulates Calixta to get what he wants is a very interesting conjecture. Her return to her persona as an obedient and caring housewife at the end of the story is really important, and I'm glad you brought that up. Great analysis! |
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Post by Jacob Choi on Aug 24, 2024 21:53:55 GMT -8
A feminist analysis of Kate Chopin's "The Storm" reveals multilayers of meaning, particularly on the front of gender roles and power relations. This is a late 19th-century work that centers on how society can bind a woman, especially through marriage, by using a character like Calixta, who subtly fights the power that limits the female gender. Calixta's storm-related sexual encounter with Alcée can be interpreted as an act of autonomy and empowerment from the perspective of feminism. Calixta is granted the opportunity to speak of her longings for liberty beyond the regular encroachment of the marriage and to satisfy these without being stereotyped or punished for it by immorality. This goes against the standard at that time, which said that wives should be meek and at the disposal of their husbands in-home service. The setting appears to indicate that the storm, as a natural phenomenon, is a transgression, much like the passion, or passion and sense of liberation, Calixta is experiencing in that house, which mirrors the activity of the storm. The storm also creates a sense of the world being temporarily suspended and thus touches down a much different concept of the world in which social norms function to focus individuals into not acting upon their passions without prior thought. Life goes on after the storm without any kind of shame or chastisement when the storm is over, and this may imply a feminist take on the whole veiling of marriage and female sexuality that society lives by. On reading the story through a feminist perspective, the reader can witness subversion on the part of Chopin of traditional gender roles and, through such a perspective, a highly nuanced reading of the acts of the characters and the atmosphere serves as a metaphor of emancipation from repressive social norms.
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Post by Rebecca Kwan on Aug 25, 2024 13:20:17 GMT -8
By examining "The Storm" from a feminist point of view, we can derive a completely new meaning from the text that enhances the story and explains Kate Chopin's motives behind her writings. From a surface level analysis, the story simply follows scandalous love affair between two married characters, Calixta and Alce, spurred on and paralleled by a severe thunderstorm. However, by uncovering minor details about setting and time period, we can realize Chopin's subtle attack on unjust societal norms and taboo topics which plagued women during her time. The story explores sexuality in a way considered scandalous during its time, where women were expected to maintain more modest appearances and did not have the same freedom that men often had. While Chopin is not necessarily advocating for adultery, she is instead arguing that women should have autonomy over their own desires and wants, rather than having to depend on men and cater to men's needs, as was societally normal for them during the 19th and 20th centuries. Chopin wants to remove the taboo stigma surrounding women and sexuality, portraying Calixta as a moral character who is unable to resist Alce, to argue that sexuality and morality do not have to be opposites. By making both Calixta an Alce otherwise seemingly virtuous characters, Chopin comments on the grave consequences of restricting freedom. Hi Matthew, I enjoyed reading your discussion post and completely agree with your thoughts. I agree that while the story presents an adulterous affair, the focus is more on the issue of female autonomy and the restrictive moral expectations of women in the 19th century. By making Calixta a virtuous character, despite the affair, Chopin critiques the double standards of morality and gender, showing that women should also have the freedom to explore their desires without social condemnation. I also liked how you highlighted the storm as a parallel to the breaking of societal norms. The storm becomes a metaphor for Calixta's desires and restrictions placed on her, suggesting that her natural impulses cannot be contained forever. |
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Post by Chloe Phan on Aug 25, 2024 13:44:27 GMT -8
Reading Kate Chopin's "The Storm" through a feminist lens reveals the story’s critique of restrictive gender roles and its celebration of female sexual autonomy. Set in the late 19th century, a period marked by rigid societal expectations for women, the narrative challenges these norms by portraying Calixta’s affair with Alcée as a positive and liberating experience. The storm is a powerful symbol of Calixta’s emotional and sexual liberation, providing a brief but intense escape from the constraints of domestic life and societal expectations. This feminist perspective highlights the tension between Calixta’s public role as a dutiful wife and mother and her private desires, emphasizing how her actions challenge traditional views of female sexuality. By focusing on Calixta's pleasure and autonomy, the story critiques the limitations imposed on women, revealing a more nuanced and empowering depiction of female desire.
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Post by Rebecca Kwan on Aug 25, 2024 13:46:47 GMT -8
Reading “The Storm” from a feminist perspective, we can view Calixta’s romantic relationships from a unique stance. It is important to account for how the narrative takes place in the 1800s as the story references the popularity of shrimps in a can as a common snack, a snack that was heavily popularized in the 1800s in addition to other references made throughout the text like when Alcee arrived at the house by horse and the lack of technological communication like telephones. Considering how “The Storm” took place in the 1800s, we must understand the societal norms placed upon women during this time, especially on housewives. In the beginning of the text, we can see how Calixta feels unhappy in her role as a housewife as she is stuck sewing furiously and doing other miscellaneous duties around the house. Seeing how unsatisfied Calixta is in her position, it begs the question of why she is with Bobint, especially considering her deep desires with Alcee. First, we must consider how she and Bobint have a son together and during this time it was seen as her duty to care for him as his mother and make sacrifices for her husband and her son rather than to put her own desires first. In addition, divorce was considered a shameful act in the 1800s so rather than doing so, Calixta cheating on her husband with Alcee in a way was empowering as she asserts her own autonomy as a woman. Furthermore, during this time period it was almost normalized for men to cheat on their wives rather than the women. This is why the author, Kate Chopin hesitated on publishing this controversial work for its time but is now heavily appreciated today as it exhibits how women have overcome strict social constructs. Although Calixta did cheat on her husband, it does seem as if she always desired to be with Alcee but was not allowed to do so due to societal norms based on class and power as it is prominent that Calixta and her husband do not have the same social standing as Alcee. In a similar manner, Alcee may have not wanted to be with Calixta because of her low social status. Furthermore, the text dives deeper into feminine stereotypes as the story frequently mentions “white” to symbolize purity. Hi Heena! I think your analysis of "The Storm" is really compelling. I especially like the way you’ve tied the historical context of the 1800s into your analysis of Calixta’s relationship dynamics. By highlighting the era's social norms, you've painted a clearer picture of why Calixta might feel trapped in her marriage with Bobint and why her affair with Alce can be viewed as an act of empowerment. The connection between the era's lack of divorce options and Calixta's desire for autonomy is also very insightful, suggesting how living with limited choices, Calixta’s decision to pursue her desires can be seen as an assertion of control over her own life. Additionally, I thought your point about class and power dynamics was quite striking, as it plays a role in why she decided to marry Bobint despite having unresolved feelings for Alce. |
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Post by Chloe Phan on Aug 25, 2024 14:07:25 GMT -8
In Kate Chopin's short story, "The Storm", the story illustrates emotional tension and an affair between two characters, Calixta and Alce. Throughout the text, a storm takes place which symbolizes the relationship between Alce and Calixta. As Alce arrives at the house, the rain began to pour. When Alce and Calixta are alone in the house, the storm rages and lightning strikes the chinaberry tree, a symbol of balance between good and evil. As Bobint and Bibi arrive home and the intimacy between Alce and Calixta ends, the storm passes and the sun shines. This short story took place in the 19th century when women had little charge of their lives. Calixta can be seen taking the role as the caretaker of the house, sewing and making supper for her family. In the affair Calixta finally has a chance to express her desires, although it might not be the best decision. Calixta and Alce relieved their long time crave for each other and broke the societal norms that were put in place. In the timeline of the story, it was normal and more reasonable for men to break social norms, but not so much for women. Calixta went against this and satisfied herself with another man, expressing her power and giving herself a voice. There are two main perspectives to this short story, either the empowerment and relief of the Calixta and Alce, or the affair that will cause damage to both families of the culprits. This pulls the story back to the lightning striking the chinaberry tree, symbolizing good and evil. Hi Abby, I really like your point of view on this topic, and I definitely agree. You mentioned how during this time period women did not have much liberty so by doing this very act, Calixta took that chance and gave herself power and a voice. I find that very interesting and completely agree. Especially viewing this from a feminist point of view, Calixta really gave herself a sort of personal autonomy. You also mentioned the lightning striking the chinaberry tree. I wanted to add that not only does the chinaberry tree does symbolize the balance between good and evil, but also a moment of personal empowerment and a potential source of conflict. |
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Post by Chloe Phan on Aug 25, 2024 14:23:58 GMT -8
“The Storm” represents the societal pressures placed on women by people in the 18-19th century. Affairs were seen in a negative light for women while the men didn’t have any consequences. Calixta is hesitant to give into these desires that she had for Alce by referencing Bibi during the storm and holding his clothes because she knows she’ll be looked down upon if she were to commit such an act. On the other hand, Alce plops himself onto a chair and initiates most of the actions while trying to distract her from thinking about Bib when he says “don’t be frightened. Nothing can happen (to Bibi)”. His family is away and he asks his wife to remain in Biloxi because he’s not worried about her finding out about the affair. Meanwhile, Calixta is worried for her husband and child, who she makes dinner for when they return because that’s her role in the house. The house and the storm represents the boundary between these societal norms and secret desires, with the fog concealing these actions. Without the storm and house, this affair would’ve never occurred. Not only because it provided the physical boundary, but they were isolated from societal norms. Calixta is described using the word white, because she's supposed to represent virginity and innocence. Bibi and Bobnt come back dirty, because Calixta has ruined them by having an affair because women aren’t allowed to do such a thing. Hi Addi, you offer some really great insights that I didn't even think about before! Such as your mention of society's double standard in regards to affairs. Throughout your response you focused on this idea of societal norms, providing a new perspective that i find extremely notable. The fog is also an interesting topic to discuss, as it is a symbol that is often used in literature as a way to hide or conceal, which you successfully noticed and provided thoughts about. |
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Post by Ralph B on Aug 25, 2024 19:12:34 GMT -8
In the reading “The Storm” by Kate Chopin, from a feminist perspective, it significantly affects the reading and understanding of the story and setting. To begin, the story highlights the protagonist, Calixta’s desire for sexual fulfillment outside the restrictions of her marriage with Bobint, her husband. Through a feminist lens, this can be seen as a way of Chopin critiquing the repressiveness of traditional societal and gender roles that limit women’s sexual freedom and expression. The storm itself serves as a symbol for this rebellious behavior, representing the natural chaos that ensues as a result from a unrestricted female desire. Furthermore, the setting plays a crucial role in emphasizing the themes of confinement, restriction and freedom. The storm creates a temporary space where societal rules are suspended and allow Calixta and Alce to act upon their sexual desires without constraints and repercussions. This temporary setting set by the storm can be viewed as a critique of the limited spaces and gender norms women are restricted to, physically and metaphorically in a patriarchal society, similar to Granny Weatherall.
Conclusively, in Kate Chopin’s story “The Storm”, through a feminist lens allows us to gain a deeper understanding of Chopin’s choice of setting as a way to critique the limitations placed on women and the potential for independence and freedom for women from societal and gender norms in a patriarchal society.
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Post by Marissa Becerra on Aug 25, 2024 21:14:47 GMT -8
By viewing the 1898 short story “The Storm”, written by Kate Chopin from a feminist perspective, you can understand a new depth to the story that isn’t seen upon your first reading. With this mindset, the story changes from one of an explicit affair between two lovers into one of empowerment for the female main character, Calixta. Given the context that this narrative takes place in the late 1800s, we know that women had very little autonomy, and had their lives centered within their own homes, much like this story is. From a feminist lens, Calixta’s affair can be seen as a sort of sexual liberation and a way for her to earn some autonomy. At the time when this was written, this type of work would have been heavily controversial and would have mattered a lot to feminists seeing this type of sexual freedom being published. Within the story itself however, the act goes on seemingly unknown to the rest of the characters. The storm can be seen as a representation of Calixta and Alce’s brief and passionate affair and the characters Bobint and Bibi make note of how they are hiding in the store from the storm, which could represent their blissful ignorance from the entire affair. The color white often gets brought up when describing Calixta, white being a symbol of purity and healing. This can represent how her sexual freedoms did not taint her as society would have believed, and instead helped her.
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Post by Darren Chen on Aug 26, 2024 9:12:04 GMT -8
In Kate Chopin's short story, "The Storm", the storm that occurs during the secret affair between Alce and Calixta represents a warning from heaven representing the beliefs of religion in the form of God's message. In such a time period as with this short story, secret affairs are seen as near-taboo, almost seemingly sinful. Also, oftentimes, storms, especially rain, serve as both moments of clarity and as warnings from God. In this case, the storm can be taken as a representative of mutiple things; first, the storm represents a foreshadowing of what can be interpreted as Calixta's moment of "clarity", because it appears like Calixta was being limited and restricted from her true desires because of societal expectations, something the feminist lens would say occurs unfortunately quite often. Yet, because of the storm, it allowed her to finally give in to her desires and satisfy her soul with Alce, if not for a short-lived moment. However, the storm could also mean another kind of feminist limitations; again, because the religions at the time, mainly being Christianity, doing such affairs especially while one is married and already has children is seen as sinful, hence, society expects that women stay loyal to their families regardless of their personal opinions. Hence, the storm being a "warning" of sense can be seen as the judging of Calixta through divine intervention and devil's representative in the form of the cheating Alce (the man who is later revealed to almost have an addiction to such secret affairs). In this side of interpreting the storm in terms of societal expectations, it's reasonable to see this as the first gate of hell in which souls sent to hell first enter hell as a whole, before being judged by Minos in mythology. According to mythology, the second circle of hell is known as the circle of Lust, in which souls who have given in to their lustful desires are forever buffeted by a tempest, another kind of storm, which is exactly what's happening with regards to Calixta. Hence, the feminist lens may both praise Calixta for having seized an opportunity to stay true to herself, and also reprimand her for having a lack of control due to loyalty.
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Post by Jodi Ahn on Aug 26, 2024 9:13:51 GMT -8
The feminist stance toward "The Storm" takes a different perspective to the characters and actions of such characters. As the story takes place in the 1800, it is important to take into account the societal norms and expectations for women of this time. This may help to explain the actions of Calixta, as she appears to be very unhappy in her marriage with Bobint as she is furiously doing house chores. This could show why she succumbed to her desires with Alcee during the peak of the storm. The storm itself could also represent the turmoil in Calixta's marriage, and the resulting affair from it. Since divorce is seen as a sin in this time, Calixta can not escape her marriage with Bobint, and her affair with Alcee may be her way of regaining autonomy in her life and unhappy marriage. It also important to remember how disproportionally bad women are treated for affairs compared to men. The blame may be placed on Calixta, but it could just as well be on Alcee for seducing her in her own home when he has a wife himself. Therefore, the publishing of "The Storm" by Kate Chopin may be very controversial in its time and in the present, but it also could have helped many other women feel seen in similar situations and bring light and more normalcy to bridge the gap between the treatment between men who cheat and women who cheat. The multiple symbolisms to purity, Calixta's association with her home and son, and other elements also help to drive forward the view of women this story helps to educate and portray.
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Post by Darren Chen on Aug 26, 2024 9:36:58 GMT -8
By examining "The Storm" from a feminist point of view, we can derive a completely new meaning from the text that enhances the story and explains Kate Chopin's motives behind her writings. From a surface level analysis, the story simply follows scandalous love affair between two married characters, Calixta and Alce, spurred on and paralleled by a severe thunderstorm. However, by uncovering minor details about setting and time period, we can realize Chopin's subtle attack on unjust societal norms and taboo topics which plagued women during her time. The story explores sexuality in a way considered scandalous during its time, where women were expected to maintain more modest appearances and did not have the same freedom that men often had. While Chopin is not necessarily advocating for adultery, she is instead arguing that women should have autonomy over their own desires and wants, rather than having to depend on men and cater to men's needs, as was societally normal for them during the 19th and 20th centuries. Chopin wants to remove the taboo stigma surrounding women and sexuality, portraying Calixta as a moral character who is unable to resist Alce, to argue that sexuality and morality do not have to be opposites. By making both Calixta an Alce otherwise seemingly virtuous characters, Chopin comments on the grave consequences of restricting freedom. Hi Matthew! I really liked how you clearly juxtaposed two separate kinds of analyses to bring out the details about how society's societal norms are "denormalized" in a sense in this household to satisfy Calixta's freedoms. Chopin does certainly argue in support of the feminist lens in terms of the control women have over their wishes with regards to when, what, where, and how they satisfy those desires, attempting to remove the stereotype of what women should be thinking of. |
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Post by Kyle Malixi on Aug 26, 2024 9:41:55 GMT -8
Looking at "The Storm" by Kate Chopin from a feminist perspective gives us a deeper understanding of the themes and characters, especially regarding gender roles and women's independence.Examining the characters through a feminist lens reveals the constraints placed on women in the late 19th century. Calixta, the protagonist, is initially confined by her domestic responsibilities and societal expectations. Her affair with Alcée challenges these constraints, offering a glimpse into her desires and independence, which are usually suppressed. The story highlights female sexuality and desire, subjects that were often considered taboo during Chopin's era. Calixta's choice to embrace her desires during the storm can be seen as her asserting her own freedom and rejecting the strict sexual norms imposed by society. The storm symbolizes both physical and emotional turmoil, reflecting Calixta's internal struggle and eventual liberation. It disrupts the norm and provides a temporary escape from societal expectations, allowing Calixta to explore her desires without immediate repercussions. The contrast between Calixta’s restricted life and the freedom she experiences during the storm emphasizes the tension between societal expectations and personal fulfillment. The story critiques the limitations placed on women and shows how moments of freedom can reveal their true selves. Overall, a feminist interpretation highlights the exploration of female desire illustrates how societal structures impact personal freedom and identity.
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Post by Darren Chen on Aug 26, 2024 9:42:47 GMT -8
From a feminist perspective, one of the key aspects of "The Storm" is how it depicts female sexuality in a way that defies 19th-century norms. Despite Clarixta being married, the marriage is portrayed as lacking passion, and she is clearly unsatisfied. This is a subtle critique by Chopin about the way marriage in the past confined women and suppressed their needs. When she sees Alce, she gives in to her inner desires and makes her own decision to have a sexual encounter with him. Instead of portraying her as immoral or dirty, Chopin portrays this event as a form of empowerment for Calixta. The storm can be seen as a metaphor for Calixta's repressed desires, which may be why there hasn't been a storm in years; she has never been sexually charged in years. Finally, as the storm grows, her desires are unleashed in a way that reflects her autonomy. The storm also acts as protection, freeing her to experience sexual fulfillment without guilt or punishment, which contrasts the restrictive social norms at the time. Personally, I think her decision to have a sexual encounter with Alce was completely her own, and did not act out of coercion or manipulation, but rather out of her own desires. Chopin avoids any judgment and instead celebrates her as a woman who understands and embraces her own sexual needs. Furthermore, in the 19th century, women were either viewed as pure, devoted wives or morally corrupt if they embraced their sexuality. However, in the story, Calixta is portrayed as both, allowing her to be a caring wife and mother, and a woman with sexual desires, which does not negate her value. This is evident as during their time in the house, themes of the color white are constantly present, defying the typical picture of being "tainted" from sexual experiences. Therefore, this opposes traditional gender norms where women's sexuality was often viewed as something to be controlled. Hi Rebecca, I did not actually think of that concept of Calixta being portrayed as both pure and corrupt simultaneously, and I agree that Calixta's decision to have that affair was completely due to her own desires independently of any "manipulation" that may have existed. Using the color white does seem to really juxtapose that standard stereotypical perspective of corrupted morals in sexual affairs, as it did not seem like such until we actually delved into the nuances of the story. |
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Carlos Villegas III
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Post by Carlos Villegas III on Aug 26, 2024 10:18:42 GMT -8
Kate Chopin in her short story, “The Storm” (1898), utilizes the setting of the story in order to educate readers on the exploitation of women by societal standards by her use of the storm itself, the house of Calixta and Bobint, and the calm after the storm. During the 1800’s, women were not as free as they are now, being severely limited in the power that they had and mainly being left to tend to the wellbeing of the children and maintaining the home. Men were the ones that went out to work, get food and supplies, and maintain the family, having a lot more freedom than women, thus making the treatment of both sexes severely unfair. This lack of freedom is shown at the very beginning of the story as we see Bobint, Calixta’s husband, and Bibi, Calixta and Bobint’s four year old child, out of the house and shopping for a can of shrimp to bring home to Calixta. While her husband and child are out, Calixta is home “sewing furiously”, sweating tremendously due to the effort of her work and the heat in the room. Calixta is so involved in her work that she doesn’t even notice the impending storm approaching, possibly being a metaphor for her not noticing her impending meeting with her old flame Alcee. Calixta is severely overworked here and is distressed from her work as she’s overwhelmed by just how much sewing she has to do, finally noticing the storm and becoming anxious for the wellbeing of her husband. The storm’s sudden approach mirror’s Alcee’s sudden approach to her home as they meet on the front, allowing him to come inside to seek shelter from the storm. Her allowing him to come inside would be a massive bombshell if someone saw this as Alcee is at a position in society that is higher than Calixta, with her being almost a peasant of sorts compared to him, further showing the unfairness in this story as there is a hierarchy of power with Calixta suffering the most due to being a stressed, peasant woman. When lightning strikes and they both realize that they still have a burning passion for each other, they embrace and give into their desires for each other, Alcee previously bringing up their previous history with one another as they were very flirtatious with one another before being married. The storm ravaging outside, alongside the all trees, shelters these two and provides them privacy, allowing them to continue breaking the societal norms that were established during these times. As the storm comes to an end, their adultery comes to an end, with Alcee departing and leaving Calixta. Them being allowed to have that time together is extremely important as Calixta was unhappy and overloaded from everything that was going on, but her run-in with Alcee allowed her to have a break and settle her unresolved feelings for him, him also being able to resolve his feelings for her. Their interaction together allows Calixta to have a break from her worries, allows her to be happy (she laughs at the beginning of their adultery), and allows her to move on from her past. Alcee’s adultery with Calixta is a good thing for him and his partner as well, as in his letter he writes to his wife he is more concerned about her and their kids’ wellbeing, encouraging her to stay longer if they wish. We see that his wife is very pleased with the letter, loving her husband but wishing to continue being distant from him saying that having their intimate relationship step a longer break was fine by her. This response from her could hint at Alcee’s sexual nature and desire being too much for her, as they may have many children, although it is never confirmed how many they have, and could be making her uncomfortable with just how often he wants her intimately. Alcee resolving his unresolved feelings for Calixta in the way that they both mutually resolved their feelings might’ve calmed Alcee’s desires, allowing him to be much more caring and respectful towards his wife. Alcee was clearly taking advantage of his wife’s presence, using her as a replacement for Calixta but not fully satisfying him as Calixta did, showing us at the end how Alcee’s wife was made uncomfortable by him and requested a break from him to allow some free time to herself as when she was unmarried. By resolving their feelings for each other mutually like they did, Calixta was much happier, Bobint and Bibi were oblivious of the whole ordeal and continue to be happy with one another, Alcee was able to calm his sexual desire and be more caring towards his wife, and Alcee’s wife was able to regain some freedom away from her husband that she believed he was taking from her. In the end, everyone was happy, exactly as the story says it ends. This ending where everyone is happy is possibly meant to show that the adultery conducted in this story, while being an awful thing, was actually the best thing that could possibly have happened as this made everyone so much happier and free. Embracing their desires allowed Calixta and Alcee to both be freed from their mixed emotions for each other while also being a symbol for breaking the societal norms of the time. They showed off their rebellious side and chose to be with each other despite their differences and the shame that would be brought down on them if others knew about their adultery. Utilizing the storm, the house, and the calm that was brought on after the storm, Chopin was able to tell her story as one of freedom, breaking societal norms, and embracing love no matter what stands in the way.
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