The Storm By Kate Chopin

The Storm Kate Chopin (1851-1904) Cultural Context: Louisiana, where Chopin’s story presumably takes place, has a large Creole population, concentrated in the southern region of the state, which borders the Gulf of Mexico. In Louisiana, the West Indies, and Latin America, the word Creole initially referred to the colonial French and Spanish population. It later came to refer to the gens libres de couleur (free people of color) in Louisiana, who were of mixed Afro-European descent. Today, the word Creole denotes the Afro-French language still spoken in parts of Louisiana as well as specific culinary, musical, and architectural styles that reflect the mingling of cultures in Louisiana.

Questions for the Reading Trace the progress of the storm through the five parts of the story. Then, trace the stages of the story’s plot. How does the progress of storm parallel the developing plot? How does the weather help to create the story’s atmosphere? How would you characterize this atmosphere? In Part I, the “sombre clouds… rolling with sinister intention” introduce the storm. In what sense does this description introduce the story’s action as well? In what ways does the storm cause the action of the story? List specific events that occur because of the storm. Is the presence of the storm essential to the story? Explain.

Questions for the Reading In what sense, if any, could the storm be considered a character in the story? The weather is the most obvious element of the story’s setting. What other aspects of setting are important to the story? After Part II, the storm is not mentioned again until the last line of the story. What signs of the storm remain in Part III, IV, and V? Besides denoting the weather, what else might the title suggest? The storm sets in motion the chain of events that leads to the characters’ adultery. Do you think the storm excuses the characters in any way from responsibility for their actions?

From The Storm The leaves were so still that even Bibi thought it was going to rain. Bobinôt, who was accustomed to converse on terms of perfect equality with his little son, called the child’s attention to certain somber clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from the west, accompanied by a sullen, threatening roar. They were at Friedheimer’s store and decided to remain there till the storm had passed. They sat within the door on two empty kegs. Bibi was four years old and looked very wise.

From The Storm The rain beat upon the low, shingled roof with a force and clatter that threatened to break an entrance and deluge them there. They were in the dining room—the sitting room—the general utility room. Adjoining was her bed room, with Bibi’s couch along side her own. The door stood open, and the room with its white, monumental bed, its closed shutters, looked dim and mysterious.

From The Storm …The rain was coming down in sheets obscuring the view of far-off cabins and enveloping the distant wood in a gray mist. The playing of the lightning was incessant. A bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field. It filled all visible space with a blinding glare and the crash seemed to invade the very boards they stood upon.

From the Storm The growl of the thunder was distant and passing away. The rain beat softly upon the shingles, inviting them to drowsiness and sleep. But they dared not yield. The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems. Calixta, on the gallery, watched Alcee ride away. He turned and smiled at her with a beaming face; and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud.

Assignment Read from p.143 to p.153; Read A Clean, Well-Lighted Place.