The storm outside had been brewing for some time, just as it had been between Calixta and Alcee. As the storm outside increases, the sexual tension between Calixta and Alcee increases. They move through the rooms of the house until they reach Calixta’s bedroom. We see a lack of passion in marriage represented by the separate beds that Calixta and her husband, Bobinot, have. But the room’s description also hints at the mystery of passion: “The door stood open, and the room with its white, monumental bed, its closed shutters, looked dim and mysterious.” These images seem to contrast one another, the white purity of innocence versus the dark passion that lies within.

Throughout the story, Chopin presents the characters passion through the imagery of the storm. Their passion climaxes and diminishes with the intensity of the storm. Her characters are unaware of the passion within themselves, and it is only by casting aside their constraints of society that they are able to unleash this passion. The storm makes Alcee and Calixta newly aware of the depths of passion within themselves. The storm between them gave them new life and satisfaction. They could appreciate everything they have once again. “So the storm passed and everyone was happy.” The last line of the story allows us an ambiguous ending that unifies the central idea of the story. One may see the storm’s passage as a happy ending, or one may see it as the storm will return again, only to destroy both of their lives.

A storm does many things for nature. It replenishes, feeds, and allows nature to grow. The storm between Alcee and Calixta did all of those things. Their desire was fed and satisfied. This storm rejuvenated their lives with their families as the other storm rejuvenated and replenished the earth outside. The

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