The Storm By Kate Chopin Essay, Research Paper
The purpose of this paper is to analyze The Storm by Kate Chopin. In this paper we will look at the setting, atmosphere, plot, character, foreshadowing, symbolism and theme of this story.
Setting and Atmosphere
This story is set on a sultry afternoon in south Louisiana near Biloxi. The body of the story takes place in Calixta’s home during a fierce summer storm. The atmosphere is charged with electricity and sexual tension caused by the storm and the unexpected arrival of Alc?e Laballi?re who Calixta had not seen very often since her marriage, and never alone.
Plot and Character
The main character of the story is Calixta a passionate young wife and mother. Calixta is a flat character because she is shown as a normal wife who has a brief passionate episode and then returns to being a normal wife and mother. We see that Calixta is a normal wife because she is performing normal household chores, she is furiously sewing in the beginning of the story and she had hung her husband Bobin?t’s, Sunday clothes out to air. Her passionate nature is shown in the lines “fear in her liquid blue eyes had given place to a drowsy gleam that unconsciously betrayed a sensuous desire.” (29) Her nature is further illustrated in the sentence which began “The generous abundance of her passion,”(29) this shows us that Calixta was a passionate woman. We then see Calixta’s return to her roll of wife and mother because after the storm she was preparing supper when Bobin?t and Bibi returned home and she was worried that they might be wet or hurt.
The second character in the story is Alc?e Laballi?re. Alc?e was a former beau of Calixta before she married Bobin?t. We are told very little about Alc?e, and given very few clues as to his character. Therefor I feel that Alc?e’s purpose in the story is to carry it forward. Without his arrival at Calixta’s home in the beginning of the storm the story would not have had a plot.
The two remaining characters are Bobin?t, Calixta’s husband and Bibi her four year old son. The story doesn’t tell us too much about these two characters, we see that Bobin?t is a considerate husband because after he realized they would be detained by the storm, he “purchased a can of shrimp of which Calixta was very fond.”(27) We assume he did this to appease Calixta because he realized Bibi was correct when he pointed out that “Mama’ll be ‘fraid, yes,”(27) when they arrived home late.
The basic plot for this story is Calixta’s passionate interlude with Alc?e during a brief but sever afternoon storm.
Foreshadowing
What I see as foreshadowing in this story are the references to the “somber clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from the west, accompanied by a sullen, threatening roar.”(27) This indicates to me that something bad was going to happen. This impression is strengthened by the fact that Calixta feared the storm.
Later in the story we begin to see that the event we are waiting for may be sexual by the authors use of words and phrases such as “spasmodically” and “palpitating body” both of which have sexual connotations. This is quickly followed by the sentence that Alc?e’s contact with Calixta “had aroused all the old-time infatuations and desire for her flesh.”(29)
Symbolism
The storm plays the central role in the symbolism. The storm is the symbol of the fierce sexual passion between Calixta and Alc?e which like the storm came in “crashing torrents, and the roar of elements” (29) while they prepared to make love. After they made love the storm began to recede as seen by the line “the growl of thunder was distant and passing away.”(29). Finally to signify the end of the storm and the interlude between Calixta and Alc?e we see “The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a place of gem” (29) as Calixta watched Alc?e ride away. This symbolizes the return to normalcy after the storm is over.
The chinaberry tree represents morality and the penance for transgressions. When the tree is struck by lightning it represents the destruction of morality and the suspension of penance. This meant that Calixta and Alc?e’s act of adultery would go unpunished, because they could temporarily put aside their morals without having to do penance.
The final bits of symbolism I see are the immaculate dove and the placement of Bibi’s bed. The sentence that stated “if she was not an immaculate dove in those days, she was still inviolate;” (29) this indicates that at the time she first knew Alc?e she was a virgin and thus untouchable. However, at the time when the story takes place we see that Calixta is a mother, this point is sharply reinforced by the fact that in her bedroom was “Bibi’s couch along side her own”. (28). This indicates that she is no longer a virgin and untouchable but a mother. There was nothing to stand in the way of their afternoon interlude except for their own moral values.
Theme
I believe the theme of this story is that unconsummated sexual attraction can erupt if given a chance. We are shown that Alc?e and Calixta were attracted to each other years ago but nothing every came of the relationship in the line “Oh! She remembered; for in the Assumption he had kissed her and kissed and kissed her; until his senses would well nigh fail, and to save her he would resort to desperate flight.”(29). Now that they are alone and isolated for the first time since Calixta’s marriage their passions simply erupted within the seclusion of the storm.
The central elements of this story combine to show us an interesting glimpse into Calixta and Alc?e’s afternoon interlude. It went further and indicated that this minor event may have released tensions and temporarily improved the lives of their
Другие работы по теме:
Self Sacrifice Essay Research Paper
“The Awakening” by Kate Chopin tells the story of a woman trying to break free of her unsatisfying lifestyle. Several of the characters in the novel are confronted with change or new ideas as a result. Chopin creates several moral decisions for the reader to experience also. Marriage, infidelity, and sexual passion are all themes presented in Chopin’s novel.
The Last Letter To Burn Essay Research
Paper The Last Letter to Burn The evil of bigotry is the main theme, or central idea, of Kate Chopin’s, “Desiree’s Baby.” In addition, the prevalence of justice is a key idea of the story, and becomes it becomes more and more apparent as the story builds. A plot, filled with twists and turns, further supports these themes.
An Untimely Death Essay Research Paper In
An Untimely Death Essay, Research Paper In “The story of an Hour,” Kate Chopin reveals the complex character, Mrs. Mallard, In a most unusual manner. THe reader is led to believe that her husband has been killed in a railway accident. The other characters in the story are worried about how to break the news to her; they know whe suffers from a heart condition, and they fear for her health.
Implied Attitudes In The Work Of Kate
Chopin Essay, Research Paper ?The Story of an Hour? and ?The Storm? are two greatly appreciated pieces of work written by Kate Chopin. The two stories differentiate in attitude toward marriage and its
Public Contaversy
– Awakening By Kate Chopin Essay, Research Paper Public Contaversy – Awakening by Kate ChopinThe Awakening, written by Kate Chopin, was a book that was truly aheadof its time. The author of the book was truly a genius in her right, but yet she wasseen as a scoundrel. At the time, it was “a world that values only her performanceas a mother, whose highest expectations for women are self sacrifice and self-effacement.” ( ? ) The people of that era were not ready to admit or accept thesimple but hidden feelings of intimacy or sexuality and the true nature ofwomanhood.
The Storm Essay Research Paper
“The Storm” “The Storm” by Kate Chopin is a great literary example of the use of setting. Chopin uses setting to not only influence the reader?s senses, but also, to illustrate the actions and feelings of her characters.
The Awakening Essay Research Paper The title
The Awakening Essay, Research Paper The title, The Awakening, implies that a rebirth from a stupor into self-awareness is something good. One would expect that someone who was once
Maupassant S Influence On Kate Chopin And
The Awakeing Essay, Research Paper Every writer has an influence. Some are influenced by the ideas that the author has; some are influenced by the style, which the author writes with. Still others are so intrigued by a writer that they are not only influenced by their way of thinking and their writing, but they actually begin to mimic the author in many ways.
Open Endings Essay Research Paper Leaving her
Open Endings Essay, Research Paper Leaving her fictional stories with endings for the reader s imagination makes Kate Chopin an outstanding and creative writer. Not only are her stories interesting and fun to read, but it seems they reflect on some facet of her own life. Most of her work was based around feminism because in the 1890 s, feminism was a big issue.
PASSIONATE STORMS Essay Research Paper Judy DearMarch
PASSIONATE STORMS Essay, Research Paper Judy Dear March 17, 2000 Critical Essay III English 1123C Passionate Storms Kate Chopin?s ?The Storm?, is a story filled with metaphorical references between a thunderstorm of rain and a thunderstorm of passion. Calixta, Bobinot, and Bibi led, what one would assume to be, a rather normal life.
Freedom In The Hour Essay Research Paper
Freedom in the Hour In Kate Chopin’s, The Story of An Hour, there is much symbolism used. The whole story is full of symbolism as are many of Chopin’s other stories. Louise Mallard had a totally different view on her husband, Brently’s, death than did any other character in the story. The whole thing is one big irony.From the very beginning, there is foreshadowing that something is going to happen because the very first words about Louise Mallard are that it is known that she has a heart condition.
The Storm Essay Research Paper Kate Chopins
The Storm Essay, Research Paper Kate Chopin?s ?The Storm?, is a short story about a brief love affair that takes place during a storm that has separated Calixta with her husband and son. The title ?The Storm? is an obvious reference to the storm outside, but more importantly to the love affair that takes place.
Dead End Marriage Essay Research Paper Dead
Dead End Marriage Essay, Research Paper Dead End Marriage In Kate Chopin?s ?The Story of an Hour,? a wife takes the news of her husband?s death quite differently than most wives. Some might find Mrs. Mallard?s rather joyous response to her husband?s death confusing or shocking. But, having lived without love for her husband, Mrs.
The Storm By Kate Chopin Essay Research
? Paper Is Bad Weather an Excuse for Deceit? In the story “The Storm”, Kate Chopin plots a situation in which two people surrender to their physical desires. Chopin wrote fiction stories in the late 19th century. She was condemned due to the immorality presented in her work. At her times, woman was considered to be very innocent, and always faithful to her husband.
Chopin The Awakening Essay Research Paper Kate
Chopin, The Awakening Essay, Research Paper Kate Chopin, “The Awakening” The Awakening, written by Kate Chopin, tells the story of a woman, Edna Pontellier, who transforms herself from an obedient housewife to a person who is alive
Christina Rossettis
“A Birthday” And Kate Chopin?s “The Story Of An Hour” Essay, Research Paper Christina Rossetti?s poem “A Birthday” and Kate Chopin?s short story “The Story of an Hour” present conflicting attitudes toward love. In particular the speaker in Rossetti?s poem is anticipating and overjoyed by the arrival of her new found love, whereas the character in Chopin?s story, after the initial shock of her new found freedom , was overjoyed by the loss of her love.
Student Essay Research Paper SD 1The StormSince
Student Essay, Research Paper The Storm Since the beginning of time, men and women have felt passion for each other. As time has past, many authors have written about the overwhelming feelings that can occur between humans and the power of lust. It is the search for pleasure, for feeling alive, and for feeling like a passionate human being.
DesireeS Baby By Chopin And The Landlady
?? By Dahl Essay, Research Paper I have looked at two short stories ‘Desiree’s Baby’ by Kate Chopin and ‘The Landlady’ by Roald Dahl and am going to be comparing the writers of the stories, the plots, the similarities and the differences. I will then conclude which ending has the most impact and why.
Desirees Baby By Kate Chopin Essay Research
Paper “Desiree’s Baby,” by Kate Chopin, takes place in Louisiana during the time of slavery. The story involves Desiree, a woman of an unknown past, and her husband Armand, a man from a powerful and wealthy family. At first, they seem to be a happy and loving family, but when their first child is born, things change.
Inept Victorian Regimes Essay Research Paper During
Inept Victorian Regimes Essay, Research Paper During the late 19th Century, society deemed women as housewives, with little or no chance for social mobility. As a matter of fact, they weren t even allowed to vote in National Elections until the 1920 s. Kate Chopin, who lived in this time era, writes three different stories, Ripe Figs , Story of an Hour , and The Storm about three young women in very similar situations, Babette, Mrs.
All About Style Essay Research Paper Regina
All About Style Essay, Research Paper Regina Kerbs October 20, 1999 M/W 8:30 – 9:50 All About Style Every writer illustrates a certain style in his/her work. Kate Chopin uses the same style in her short stories “The Story of an Hour” and “Ripe Figs.” This style includes her use of diction, imagery, and symbolism.
Analysis Of The Storm Essay Research Paper
The short story The Storm by Kate Chopin, deals with the subject of adultery. The story takes place in the early 1900 s. There are two main characters, Calixta (the wife) and Alcee (the former lover). Alcee must take refuge from a passing storm in Calixta s house, while he is there the two end up making love while Calixta s husband and son have to wait out the storm at the local store.
Criticalessayon Essay Research Paper The short story
Criticalessayon Essay, Research Paper The short story, The Story of an Hour , was a story meant to show how the effects of oppression by men over women led to the freedom and inevitable death of Louise Mallard. The name of The Story of an Hour was used because Mrs. Mallard s realization of her freedom all takes place within one hour.
Comparison Kate Chopin Essay Research Paper The
Comparison Kate Chopin Essay, Research Paper The Comparison of Three Short Stories by Kate Chopin In the three short works, “Ripe Figs,” “The Story of an Hour,” and “The Storm,” Kate Chopin has woven into each an element of nature over which no one has control. She uses short time spans to heighten impact and bring her stories to quick conclusions.
Kate Chopin 2
Kate Chopin – A Style Of Her Own Essay, Research Paper Kate Chopin A Style of her Own Kate Chopin uses symbolism and realism to enhance her theme of social conflict in the lives of women during the nineteenth century. These conflicts seemed to travel from one woman to the next, unnoticed by the rest of society.
Chopin
’s A Pair Of Silk Stockings: Mrs. Sommers Essay, Research Paper Chopin’s A Pair of Silk Stockings: Mrs. Sommers Mrs. Sommers, of Kate Chopin’s “A Pair of Silk Stockings” faces a major
Romantism In Essay Research Paper Even though
Romantism In Essay, Research Paper Even though it was written in the Victorian era, Kate Chopin’s The Awakening has several romantic qualities, especially with the main character, as she struggles between society’s obligations and her own desires. Chopin writes about a woman who continues to reject the society around her, a notion too radical for Chopin’s peers.
A Story Of An Hour
– An Essay Essay, Research Paper Trinh Vu 03-31-2001 Eng II Symbolism in The Story of an Hour The Story of an Hour, by Kate Chopin is a very good story. The story has a very interesting character by the name of Mrs. Mallard. Mrs. Mallard, who is afflicted with heart trouble, is not the perfect wife. Her sister, Josephine, tells her of her husband s death.
A Story Of An Hour Feelings Essay
, Research Paper A Story of An Hour: Feelings In the short story ?A Story of An Hour? by Kate Chopin, the whole range of emotions are felt by the main charter Louise Mallard. Upon learning of her
Chopin Essay Research Paper Chopin Chopin was
Chopin Essay, Research Paper Chopin Chopin was a Polish-born composer, one of the masters of piano composition. He wrote chamber music which is music for small groups of instruments, songs, and pieces for piano and orchestra. But his fame rests almost entirely on his more than 200 compositions for solo piano.He was born in Zelazowa-Wola, near Warsaw.He played the piano in public when he was only 8 years old.