Imagery And Symbolism In Chopin's 'The Storm'

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Christopher Baker examines Chopin’s use of imagery and symbolism to entirely understand the meaning of the short story, “The Storm”. Baker explains that Chopin’s uses the lily to describe Calixta’s beauty, and her sexual passions for Alcée. Not only, does the flower imagery signify her feelings, but her name as well. Calyx is a biological term, which means outer protecting layer. After cautiously examining the short story and the literary devices that is applied, and conducting research, I agree with Baker. The flower imagery Chopin utilizes accurately embodies Claxita’s beauty and her intimate passions for Alcée. Also, I believe a lily symbolizes purity, and Chopin comparing Calixta to this flower is ironic. In the beginning of “The Storm”, Calixta is portrayed to be a beautiful and pure woman due to the flower imagery. Then at this moment, she starts to worry about her spouse and son due to the horrific storm that is approaching. During this particular scene, it is depicting her beauty, purity and her love for her husband and son. Except, when Alcée arrives into the scene, a new representation of Calixta is formed. Her affair with Alcée then destroys the flower imagery created by Chopin. Due to this, it creates an ironic effect. She was compared to a …show more content…
Baker states that Chopin uses heat, and warmth when Alcée enters her home. He then goes on to say that this heat Chopin continuously repeats indicate their passion, and their love for each other. When reading “The Storm” the first time, I immediately noticed this. Many authors and poets use sun, the colour red and heat to display passion, sexual desires, and love. An example of an author using this is F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald uses a tremendously hot summer day to symbolize Gatsby and Daisy’s love and passion for each other. He repetitively uses the word ‘hot’ to capture this. With “The Storm’, Chopin decides to use this as well to capture their passion and
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