In literature, symbolism

Essay 1

In literature, symbolism is a tool used to suggest meanings greater than what may appear on the surface. In the short story “The Storm,” Kate Chopin uses symbolism for both realistic and symbolic purposes in order to advance the plot and give meaning to the conflicts that the character Calixta experiences

The storm provides the reader with insight into Calixta struggle, depicting a woman’s inner fight with herself, and the cyclone that is sweeping the streets outside her home.” The Storm” plays a vital part in revealing the theme of the story which is about a “woman’s sexuality and the complexities of the marriage state” (Harris). The central conflict is one that is driven behind the title. Calixta is in a constant battle between her ambitions, her marriage, and being a woman. It seems her husband Bobinot avoids “The Storm” in both a literal and figurative way. He stays at the store to avoid the rain, but also to avoid the sexual desires from his wife that could be waiting at home. Externally, she has become unfaithful to her husband due to her internal conflicts with not being satisfied sexually. This is the storms figurative meaning. Calixta says “if this keeps up, dieu sait if the leaves goin’ to stan’ it” (109). Calixta makes reference to the leaves outside to combat what is happening inside with her feelings. Just like the storm out doors only God knows what will happen next.

It only becomes clear that she is using the leaves outside to portray what will happen if she follows through with her desires. At this time in Louisiana, women are supposed to remain faithful to their husbands. Having an affair is something that is considered unladylike and shameful. Calixta sees this storm as an opportunity to fulfill her desires, and also as a struggle between how she will be criticized for acting upon them. Calixta is very aware of what will happen if the people in the town will say if they were to find out, but she is truly unhappy with her marriage at this point.

The storm outside begins to intensify, reflecting the arousing desire between Calixta and Alcee. It seems as if she wants relief from the unhappy married life she is living. Just like the forces driven by nature, Calixta does not resist Alcee’s touch nor does she continue to hold back her desires. “Don’t be frightened. Nothing can happen…There! Aren’t you going to be quiet?” Alcee says, assuring Calixta that she is not going to bear the consequences of her actions and no one will find out that this affair that has taken place.

Calixta indeed done yearn for the passion that she is missing with her husband. She describes the moments that she shares with Alcee as “like a white flame which penetrated and found response in depths of his own sensuous nature that had never yet been reached” (110). Just like a storm, a force driven by nature, she is inept at controlling her own desires as a storm is at controlling the damages it leaves on its path. Calixta draws in to the passion that has been absent from her marriage for so long.

Calixta is a prime example of how a person’s wants, needs and desires can overpower what is right in society’s eyes. Calixta knew the consequences of her actions if she was to get caught, but they were not enough to turn her away from that passion that she desperately needed: Chopin gives insight to “The growl of the thunder was distant and passing away. The rain beat softly upon the shingles, inviting them to drowsiness and sleep. But they dare not yield” (110). As the storm subsided she also knew the affair had come to an end, for Alcee had watered her garden just as the rain had done to the flowers outside. “The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems. He turned and smiled at her with a beaming face; and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud” (111). Calixta is neither ashamed nor regretful for what has just happened. Instead, she is quite happy and she feels relieved. She has received something that she does not get with her husband. The storm outside the house comes to a stop and the sun begins to shine as if it were refreshed by nature. When Bobinot returns home, Calixta appears to be continuing her duties as a wife. She makes the appearance as if nothing has happened Calixta has no intentions of ruining her marriage; because she is overwhelmed with joy at the return of her family.

Kate Chopin’s “The Storm” is not just about a terrible storm that has swept the streets of Louisiana, but has a deeper more in depth meaning of a human’s sexual desires. Calixta is the example of how women are much like men and have desires that need to be fulfilled. During this time, women were not supposed to act or even talk about their sexual side, yet Kate Chopin manages to do both in such a manner that means so much more than what anyone expected. The storm washes away the unhappiness Calixta had in her sex starved marriage, and brought a new fulfillment into her life.

Harris, Sharon M. “The Storm.” Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition (2007):Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 25 Jan. 2010./p>

Chopin, Kate. “The Storm.” Literature: An introduction to Fiction, poetry, Drama and Writing. Ed. X. J.Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 6th Compact ed. New York: Longman, 2010. Print.