Analysis of The Storm by Kate Chopin - Book Report/Review Example

The Storm

It is important to note that the role of both men and women in the 19th century has always been influenced by factors such as the ideology cult that revolve around true womanhood. This kind of cult is evident in numerous works or renowned male and female writers who have always been of the opinion that woman is required to be submissive and purely domestic. The roles of men largely defined many roles of women. The Storm by Kate Chopin has depicted and illustrated some of the vital functions that are either acquired through the society or self-proclaimed in her book “The Storm.” Her book is overshadowed by what many think is an adulterous theme, though Chopin does not show any act of condemnation of the characters depicted in the act, she rather focuses on some of the most important traits and roles of both woman and man that influences the manner in which they react to certain situations.

“The Storm” has managed to clearly bring out the similarities of two different wives and mothers. Both women have had an affair with the same man even though they have both invested a lot I caring for their beloved families. In addition to that, the two women are craving for the lives they once had before got into marriages. The only contrast between the two women is that one finds a lot of pleasure in sexuality while the other is very content by its absence. The character traits of these two women is a reminder of each woman’s unique individuality while still incorporating quiet and traditional positions that define femininity (Chopin and Solomon).

It is important to note that the fact that most of the women during this time were stuck in the same rut, they had their different capacities regarding satisfaction and fulfillment in life. They are displayed as a tool that seeks self-satisfaction even though content with their current situations. The current society is likely to agree in unison that cheating is wrong in any setting whatsoever. It is compared to some dishonesty or sin. It is important to appreciate the fact that “The Storm” is not an exception. The plot of the story is characterized by incidences of characters cheating on their spouses. Alcee and Calixta go an extra mile of cheating on their spouses by engaging in an affair and behaving as if nothing had happened. This behavior has managed to outline one of the most important roles of women apparently (Chopin and Adams).

The adulterous ordeal is followed by a very jovial mood by the two women in their capacities. They have suddenly become more charming, sweeter and kinder to their spouses. The pretense in them manages to make their marriages stronger than before rather than demolishing their relationships. Chopin has used this to bring another role out of this situation. Women act as a binding tool that is responsible for the happiness of their homes. A home cannot be lively if they so deserve hence they play an imperative role in a family set up. Calixta is left behind by her husband Bobinôt and her little child Bibi as they go running some necessary errands in the store (Zenner).

The fact that she is left behind makes her in charge of most of the house chores at her disposal. It is important to appreciate the fact that she has to ensure that her home will be in good shape when her husband and child returns from work even though this is delayed by an impending storm. In this case, she is seen as a hardworking lady who is very concerned about the issues of her home. This describes her role of being in charge of all the house chores in her homestead. The passionate affair depicted in “The Storm” can be seen to be quite tame when put into comparison with other romantic novels. This short story has managed to put various societies to task in regards to both expectations and beliefs when it comes to the roles of a woman (Toth).

The female characters shown by Chopin are not in line to those in a traditional set up when it comes to passion, marriage, love, sexual desire and freedom. In addition to that, Calixta is seen as a very welcoming person who does not use marriage as an obstacle to showing compassion. She gladly welcomes a third party to their matrimonial home even though she is weary of the fact that her husband and son might pop in at any time. This is one instance that defines what a modern woman not should be capable of doing in her right senses in any societal setup. It is against the expectations of many that one is capable of cheating on his or her spouse and acting as if everything is normal (Chopin and Solomon).

Chopin has managed to clearly illustrate the fact that girls in the 19th century were brought up with the sole intention of making them be mothers, wives, and housekeepers. Almost all societies had subscribed to the idea that a woman’s place was a homestead with her sole responsibilities being taking care of the house, children and her husband’s needs (Chopin). It became a common understanding that a woman had little or no say in regards to the main opinions in the society and her presence had little or no significance. However, Kate Chopin’s work in “The Storm” is trying to make a complete overhaul in regards to this opinion. Women rebelling against the current notion that portrays them as a very dormant object has also been clearly illustrated in particular scenes of “The Storm.”

In this case, Calixta is an example of a woman who has managed to gain a touch with her sexuality and her uninhibited sexual desires. She has managed to go against all the odds limiting women by deciding to explore her sexual desires, and to her surprise, it turns out to be a plus for her family. She feels rejuvenated and ready to explore her feminine obligation to her spouse and family as a whole. It is important to note that for Chopin, an exploration of the roles of different genders is based on characters who are coming to a realization of the full dimensions gender has on their identity. In her work, she is on record as describing gender as an inquest into the beginning of new things. In other words, she is categorical in the manner in which men and women have been empowered to relate to each other (Toth).

Kate Chopin has also managed to address the plight of women who get into marriages and later feel unsatisfied and repressed. This is not because they do not have loving husbands but is widely influenced by the limitations that come with one’s commitment to marriage. According to Chopin, some of the definitions of a woman during her time was a person who was not supposed to have any career and was widely considered to be of an inferior gender. Women were expected to have a specific lifestyle that controlled the manner in which they were behaving in a particular society and marriage. In addition to that, they were forced to follow some sets of pre-determined codes of behavior when matters of sexuality arose. It is important to note that all of Chopin’s characters feel restricted and unsatisfied by all these boundaries (Chopin and Adams).

A woman can do great things including breaking away from retrogressive chains when empowered. For the first time, Chopin illustrates that it is the responsibility of a woman to denounce all the cultures that she feels are regressive to her growth. However, this is not likely to go well with some people who still believe that a woman’s empowerment should be limited. This is a description of a modern attitude of a woman. She is not afraid of the consequences that may befall her; she just lets herself go. She decides to take the opportunity of being home alone to experience something new, something that is likely to spark her marriage to a new level. Even though she feels empowered and daring enough to break some important laws of marriage, she still loves her husband and son (Chopin).

The kind of behavior portrayed by Alcee is similar to the fashion in which he sends a letter to his wife Clarisse where he insists of wanting things to remain the same. The most surprising part of all of this is that the two families have managed to have happy endings despite the expectations of many. In a society that embraces a lot of ethics regarding human behavior, the immoral act conducted by Alcee and Calixta has outlined the role of men in a very awkward situation. Men are still considered the primary decision makers regarding relationship goals and actions. Calixta quickly gave in to the presence of Alcee who was just seeking refuge from the coming storm. From Alcee’s actions, men can be described as being opportunists and just wait for the slightest opportunity to carry out their agenda.

Kate Chopin has managed to identify the real identities of the characters portrayed in “The Storm.” These identities were in existence with the only difference being they hadn’t been displayed before. In addition to that, through their roles, Chopin has managed to expose particular matters such as adultery, death and the desire for both freedom and independence. This has been used to define her unique style of literature at a time when there has been a lot of controversy regarding themes used at the time of her writing of “The Storm.” It is, therefore, conclusive to say that Kate Chopin has positively used her unique piece of literature in trying to illustrate some unique roles and responsibilities that each gender had during her time (Chopin).

The fact that she is left behind makes her in charge of most of the house chores at her disposal. It is important to appreciate the fact that she has to ensure that her home will be in good shape when her husband and child returns from work even though this is delayed by an impending storm. In this case, she is seen as a hardworking lady who is very concerned about the issues of her home. This describes her role of being in charge of all the house chores in her homestead. The passionate affair depicted in “The Storm” can be seen to be quite tame when put into comparison with other romantic novels. This short story has managed to put various societies to task in regards to both expectations and beliefs when it comes to the roles of a woman (Toth).

The female characters shown by Chopin are not in line to those in a traditional set up when it comes to passion, marriage, love, sexual desire and freedom. In addition to that, Calixta is seen as a very welcoming person who does not use marriage as an obstacle to showing compassion. She gladly welcomes a third party to their matrimonial home even though she is weary of the fact that her husband and son might pop in at any time. This is one instance that defines what a modern woman not should be capable of doing in her right senses in any societal setup. It is against the expectations of many that one is capable of cheating on his or her spouse and acting as if everything is normal (Chopin and Solomon).

Chopin has managed to clearly illustrate the fact that girls in the 19th century were brought up with the sole intention of making them be mothers, wives, and housekeepers. Almost all societies had subscribed to the idea that a woman’s place was a homestead with her sole responsibilities being taking care of the house, children and her husband’s needs (Chopin). It became a common understanding that a woman had little or no say in regards to the main opinions in the society and her presence had little or no significance. However, Kate Chopin’s work in “The Storm” is trying to make a complete overhaul in regards to this opinion. Women rebelling against the current notion that portrays them as a very dormant object has also been clearly illustrated in particular scenes of “The Storm.”

In this case, Calixta is an example of a woman who has managed to gain a touch with her sexuality and her uninhibited sexual desires. She has managed to go against all the odds limiting women by deciding to explore her sexual desires, and to her surprise, it turns out to be a plus for her family. She feels rejuvenated and ready to explore her feminine obligation to her spouse and family as a whole. It is important to note that for Chopin, an exploration of the roles of different genders is based on characters who are coming to a realization of the full dimensions gender has on their identity. In her work, she is on record as describing gender as an inquest into the beginning of new things. In other words, she is categorical in the manner in which men and women have been empowered to relate to each other (Toth).

Kate Chopin has also managed to address the plight of women who get into marriages and later feel unsatisfied and repressed. This is not because they do not have loving husbands but is widely influenced by the limitations that come with one’s commitment to marriage. Read More