Chopin's short story, "The Storm," shows the reader some of the controversial issues she wrote about. It was written in 1898 and was one of the last stories that she wrote before Awakening. It tells of the struggles of one woman to find happiness and excitement in her everyday life. The reader really does not get much information on the relationship at the beginning of the story, but one can imagine that

The next section of the story shows Calixta, the mother, sitting at a window sewing. She isn't concerned for the safety of her family and doesn't realize that there is a storm approaching. Like many relationships, things may be going along just fine until 'opportunity' flashes, like lightening, and a decision has to be made that will change the future. Calixta's opportunity is in the shape of a man named Alcee Lavalliere. He shows up at her gate as she is attempting to get her husband's clothes off of the porch. He asks for shelter and Calixta offers to let him wait out the storm inside. She realizes that she hasn't been alone with Alcee since she was married and feels the temptation that she knows she must suppress.

Near the end of the story, the reader is allowed a glimpse of Alcee and his actual life. As it turns out, he has a wife and children and writes them a letter after his day with Calixta to tell them that he is doing okay and that they can stay on vacation longer if they are enjoying themselves. He does this because he feels that there will be something more between him and Calixta. He is a fool and doesn't see that she 'played' him and used him to satisfy one of her desires.

When Bobinot and Bibi return home from the store, they are very concerned about their appearance and try to clean up before they reach the house. However, Calixta is not concerned with their appearance and feigns that she is glad that they made it home. She is showing the classic signs of guilt by over-expressing and over-emphasizing everything she says and does. However, the trick is on the men who have no idea that anything has happened and go on with their lives just like nothing had even occurred.

When Calixta decides to give herself to Alcee, the action is switched to his point of view. This change of voice can be interpreted in two ways. The first way to look at it is as

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