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One story that we've read in class that I find most intriguing is "The Storm" by Kate Chopin. “The Storm” relates love and marriage as a prevention for free full blown passion. One of the main themes/motifs this story expresses is how passion and live In “The Storm” marriage is portrayed very differently from how it is shown presently. We are often taught that cheating is wrong. It is considered to be an act of sin and that it is not loyal. In this particular story, the two main characters seem to have a better attitude, and treat their spouses better after an act of adultery. The narrator illustrates, “as [Calixta] stepped outside, Alcee Laballiere rode in at the gate. She had not seen him very often since her marriage, and never alone.” Their hypocrisy seems to help strengthen their marriages rather than destroying them. It was not acceptable for former lovers to be seen together once they were married. Later in the story, it is said, “and the first free breath since her marriage seemed to restore the pleasant liberty of her maiden days. Devoted as she was to her husband, their intimate conjugal life was something which she was more than willing to forego for a while.” Calixta’s newfound passion determines the importance of passion in 1890’s where many women felt they were bound. The storm itself was describing their progressing passion with the encounter of lightning bolt and thunder. The author represents a desire for attention from Calixta to Alcee. The narrator says: “Calixta put her hands to her eyes, and with a cry, staggered backward. Alcee’s arm encircled her, and for an instance he drew her close and spasmodically to him.” The increase in power of the storm represents the increase in passion between the two lovers, Calixta and Alcee. Clarisse claims to be “devoted…to her husband” while at the same time saying she doesn’t mind the space from him. If she was so devoted to her husband, she would mind being separated for a long period of time. This represents how Clarisse knows that her marriage has its own questionable issues, but the time spent apart seems to repair what needs fixing and gives her a sense of validity of her marriage. “The Storm” puts aside the constraints of society and marriage, and opens a door for feminine sexuality. I find this story rather intriguing because of the time period and the way the characters, especially women, are portrayed. Lmuraskin18 (talk) 05:15, 5 April 2017 (UTC)