Symbolism of the Storm by Kate Chopim

The symbols of “The Storm”
Does anything make adultery acceptable? In Kate Chopin’s story “The Storm,� the symbolism itself tells a whole new version of this tale that could possibly answer this question. Throughout the whole story, the characters Alcee, Bobinot, Calixta, Bibi, and Clarisse all without knowing it, symbolize different parts of this rather complicated piece of work.
The beginning line states “ the leaves were so still that even Bibi thought it was going to rain.� Still leaves may represent the still, uninterrupted lifestyle and marriage of
Bobinot and Calixta. And the “somber clouds were rolling with sinister attention from the
West,� symbolize also the events to happen later in the story between Alcee and Calixta.
Bobinot’s purchasing the can of shrimp in paragraph five gives the reader a sense that he
loves Calixta and thinks of her even while him and Bibi are away because she is “very fond of them.�
Later, the storm started to stir and the thunderous roar swept through the little town. This was no extraordinary storm. Sure, they had seen an abundance of storms almost every d

They went in the dining room which was then called the sitting room. No, a name less representative of the family it housed. A name that would be more appropriate for Alcee and her to sit in. The general utility room sounds perfect. Then, suddenly Calixta worries for Bobinot and Bibi out in the storm. Yet the trespasser responded with

Ironically, Alcee wrote to his wife, Clarisse that very night. He told her not to hurry back but also went out of his way to say stay a month longer if they would like. Alcee “realized that the babies and Clarisse’s health and pleasure were the first things to be considered.” This is very ironic and symbolistic because he is really putting his pleasure first and theirs follows.

“Let us hope, Calixta, that Bobinot has enough sense to come in out of a cyclone.” The word cyclone symbolizes in a way the events to happen in the house rather then the actual weather outside. This “cyclone” which poses as a threat to Bobinot is also a great excuse for Alcee to “comfort” Calixta.

The kissing scene obviously comes next and the place where they kissed before is mentioned. The most-a