The Storm Literary Analysis

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There are many interpretations of human relations with the natural world. Most of the world thinkers agree that the social order with its morality and institutions is in opposition to the natural one where only the instincts rule. Besides, there are at least two possible evaluations of those two orders. According to the first one, people should try to escape the natural chains in order to become free through the morality. The second point of view is that the only way to freedom is to accept own nature that may contradict with the artificial social norms. Thus, those who share the second position, consider that many socially unacceptable actions such as adultery, for example, should be treated as a natural part of life because there are no marriages …show more content…
The main characters of “The Storm” are Calixta and Alcee Laballiere who commit adultery during the storm (Chopin 42). All other characters (Bobinot and Clarisse Laballiere) perform the additional roles of those who could evaluate that adultery in case they somehow caught the lovers. Thus, Bobinot and Clarisse represent the society and its position concerning everything that does not correspond to the public morality. The social role of these two characters is clear because their only connection with the main characters (Calixta and Alcee) is the social institution of marriage. In contrast, Calixta and Alcee accept their natural essence in the short story and in this way they metaphorically represent the natural phenomena also described in the text. Thus, there is a parallelism between the images of rain and Alcee. “As she stepped outside, Alcee Laballiere rode in at the gate … and the big rain drops began to fall” (Chopin 41). Then, when he leaves Calixta, there is no rain as well: “the rain was over; … Calixta, on the gallery, watched Alcee ride away” (Chopin 42). It is interesting that Bobinot metaphorically feels the approaching of Alcee. Thus, he shows his son “certain somber clouds, that were rolling with sinister intention from the west, accompanied by a sullen, threatening roar” (Chopin 40). Bobinot thinks that Calixta “will shut the house” (Chopin 40), but she accepts Alcee as well as earth accepts the rainwater. In this way, the parallels between Calixta with Alcee and earth with rain become