A Feminist Perspective on Marriage and Liberation in 'The Storm'

This discussion post offers a feminist analysis of Kate Chopin's short story, 'The Storm,' arguing that the author expresses feminist viewpoints ahead of her time by portraying the internal conflict of women constrained by societal roles. The post interprets the storm as a metaphor for the desire for liberation, deeply embedded within women like Calixta, who is depicted as an oppressed and unsatisfied wife. The analysis identifies binary oppositions within the story, such as the conflict between societal expectations and personal desires. While acknowledging that the story could be interpreted as portraying Calixta as an object of desire, the post asserts that the ending neither advocates nor opposes adultery but rather portrays human weakness and the ultimate triumph of societal norms, with Calixta happily resuming her domestic role and the institution of marriage prevailing.

RESPONSE TO MUNIZ’S POST
I chose to respond to Muniz’s post because I have a different opinion on the story. I think
that the author of the short story expresses the feminist viewpoints which were far ahead of her
times. Women during that period had specific roles which they had to perform unquestioningly.
It portrays the internal conflict within each woman. The storm metaphorically represents the
desire of liberation that is deeply embedded in each woman, but due to social constraints cannot
be exhibited. As I read the story, the flow seems to portray that Calixta, who is a dutiful wife and
caretaker of her family, is the oppressed and unsatisfied women. As per my analysis, the story
has some binary opposition, for example, the role of male and female as per the society’s set
standards and personal desires. In this story, Calixta and Alcee’s emotions and sexual urge are
just like a storm which erupts and the pressure is released with the satisfaction of their sexual
desire. It seems that Kate wants to advocate the liberation of women, but her narrative and
explanation portray Calixta as an object of desire for Alcee. Alcee is portrayed as a performer,
active player in the act whereas Calixta is just a passive player. Her descriptions with phrases
like “pomegranate seed, fountain of delight”, etc. portray her passivity. She is depicted as a
possession, physical object that can be used as per one’s whims (Chopin).
Muniz in the blog mentioned that “having that the affair between Alcee and Calixta ends
up being unnoticed makes this story pro adultery”. But I think that the end neither advocates nor
opposes adultery. It just portrays the weakness of humans who get swayed in the heat of the
stormy moment and when the truth dawns they resume their societal role. The ending of the story
suggests that happiness lies in each gender performing the same approved stereotype role.
Calixta does not repent her action and there is no remorse or feeling of betrayal. She on the
contrary happily resumes her domestic role and her husband Bobinot, the breadwinner. Finally,

the society approved institution of marriage wins over. Kate has tried to give vent to feminism,
but ultimately the societal pressure and norms win in the end (Eamvijit).
References
Chopin, Kate. The Storm. United States: LSU Press, 1969.
Eamvijit, Suriyaporn. "Deconstruction Reading of Kate Chopin's "The Storm"." 2012.
Academia.edu. 28 September 2019.
<https://www.academia.edu/3018003/Deconstruction_Reading_of_Kate_Chopins_The_S
torm_?auto=download>.