Passionate instincts can overtake us within the blink of an eye. Guilty feelings will wash over, and soon take control of us. We’re propelled on an exciting, dangerous bender which could potentially destroy everything. Throughout history, humans have given into our polygamous nature through the act of infidelity, and men and women have been unfaithful to one another over the course of time. However, particular time periods and cultures have contrasting viewpoints on infidelity often depending on gender.
Chopin wrote fictional stories in the late 18th century, and was condemned due to the immorality of her work. While it has traditionally been men who have encouraged marriage, Chopin gave readers a woman’s perspective of how repressive marriage can be for a woman, both emotionally and sexually. The Storm, by Kate Chopin is a short story, which focuses on the relationship between former lovers, Calixta and Alcee. Alcee takes refuge from a storm in Calixta’s house, during the time he is there the two make love while Calixta’s husband and son wait for the storm to pass in a local store. Chopin subtly interprets that our sexual urges are irresistible, but the outcomes are positive for everybody involved.
Calixta is first introduced in the story as a homemaker, which would have been the predominant role for women during the 1800s. Her frustration is due to both the limited social roles she has and the absence of passion in her marriage. This portrayal is shown through Chopin’s characterization of Bobinot and Calixta prior to the storm. Bobinot is described as sitting “stolidly” on the keg, while holding the can of shrimps he purchased for Calixta. Bobinots lack of sensibility and emotion are apparent, which leads to Calixta frustrated as “she sat at a side window sewing furiously on the sewing machine” (Chopin, 4). She hardly notices the emerging storm, until it gets too dark for her to see her work.
Her suppression leads to loosening her saque at the throat, a symbolic gesture specifying her directness by drawing attention of another. This simple move would not be significant today where we are free to wear whatever we want, however, in the eighteenth and the early nineteenth century, women were expected to be covered from the neck-down at all times. Chopin intentionally wrote these subtle details in her short story, and had gone unnoticed by her readers. Alcee, a dominant character, shows up at Calixta’s front door right when the storm kicks off, which makes us question his ulterior motives.
