The story of the Storm by Kate Chopin

The story of the Storm by Kate Chopin

In any given story, the setting describes the surroundings as well as the time of the story. Setting pays a significant role in a story since it influences the behavior of the characters and offers a reflection on the character’s society. Besides, setting sets the mood of the story, invokes responses more so emotional, and also helps in foreshadowing events therein. Additionally, the central theme of a story heavily relies on the story’s setting. It is also worth noting that context plays a crucial role in determining the tone in a story. A story’s plot is generally comprised of five parts, namely exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and finally, resolution. This essay examines how the setting of the story contributes to the rising action, falling action, and climax in the story, “The Storm” by Kate Chopin.

In the short story “The Storm” by Kate Chopin, the setting takes place in the late 19th century in Louisiana. The protagonist in the story is Calixta, wife to Bobinot and mother to Bibi. The central theme that is explored throughout the story by the author is the theme of marriage and sexuality. The use of setting in the short story is meant to facilitate the sequence of actions taking place therein. Besides, the setting helps in shaping the characters that are used in this short story. Chopin demonstrates to us how both the plot and setting have reinforced each other. For instance, in the story, Calixta’s passion for sex and emotions are awoken by Alcee, who comes like a storm.

Additionally, the setting has significantly contributed to the conflict, rising and falling actions, as well as the resolution in this short story. Alcee and Calixta portray the true meaning of passionate sex even though Calixta is married to Bobinot and has a child. It is also worth noting that all the circumstances closely related to the setting of this short story, such as society, time, surroundings, also play a significant role in its plot. The author professionally shows how the setting contributes to the element of conflict in her story. The central conflict portrayed in this story, which is used metamophically as the storm is internal. The term storm is used to symbolize the sexual encounter between Calixta and Alcee. The central conflict arises since Calixta is married to Bobinot while Alcee is married to Clarisse. Despite the act being immoral, the author builds this conflict to show the strength and power of passion. Besides, the conflict implies that sexual desires are natural because if they were not, the two would not have engaged in it. The author also creates an external form of conflict. This conflict is evident where Bobinot and his son are unable to go home since the storm traps them.

Another element of plot, rising action, is also evident in the story. The author tells us that Alcee arrives at his past lover’s home just before the storm. Besides, Calixta’s husband and son are also out of the house. The storm traps Alcee at Calixta’s home while the same storm traps Bobinot and son. Here, the author introduces the problem in the story. “Alcee puts his arm around her, and as she touches him, old fires burn within him. As he tries to allay her fears, Alcee looks into her eyes, …so he kisses her…” (Chopin, 1974). The climax of this story is that the two engage in passionate sexual intercourse. The author also shows how the setting of the story contributes to the element of falling action. Immediately Alcee leaves, Bobinot, and the son arrives back home. The author describes the feeling between the two old lovers as they part ways. “He turned and smiled at her with a beaming face, and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud” (Chopin, 1974). At this point, the conflict is unraveled. Besides, in the falling action, Bobinot brings joy to his wife by giving her the shrimp, and they later enjoy their supper as a family. On the other side, Alcee writes to Clarisse a note that says they do not need to be in a hurry to get home.

The story ends with the main characters having no conflict, and the author describes the situation by saying that the storm has passed.

In conclusion, the setting has profoundly contributed to the element of rising, climax, and the falling action in the story, “The Storm” by Kate Chopin. The place and time of the story are Louisiana in the late 19th century. Besides, the central theme introduced by the author is the theme of marriage and sexuality. The setting plays a crucial role in the plot of the story. The author uses the storm to act as a driving force to her story. For instance, the exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action of the storm also marks the end of the passionate affair between Alcee and Calixta. The central conflict portrayed in the story is the sexual intercourse between married people. It was considered immoral and a taboo at that time to engage in a sexual act with other people. The setting builds this conflict to show the strength and power of passion. In the rising action, Alcee is trapped in the house of his past lover, Calixta, by the raging storm. Coincidentally, Calixta’s husband and son are also out trapped by the same storm. The falling action in the story is where the storm ends, and Alcee parts way with Calixta. The author describes the feelings between the two as they say goodbye. Immediately, Calixta’s family arrives, and they later enjoy a colorful supper. At the end of the story, all the parties involved are happy, and no conflict comes to pay between them. This short story provides an excellent example of how the setting of a story can contribute to or affect its plot.

References

Chopin, K. (1974). The storm, and other stories. Old Westbury, N.Y.: Feminist Press.