The Storm (question 9)

In The Storm, the weather played a key role in the act of committing adultry. The storm was responsible for stranding Calixta's husband and son in town while she was home alone. Also, Alcee was caught in the midst of the storm and he takes refuge with Calixta. The storm also plays a role in the setting, "...obscuring the view of far-off cabins and enveloping the distant wood in a gray mist" (Chopin 257) as if to demonstrate to the reader that they are all alone. Once the rain stopped and the sun came out, Bobinot and Bibi come home, Calixta acts as if nothing had happened. It seems as if Calixta and Alcee both feel regret of their adultery and they both do something nice for their spouse. Calixta makes a great meal and Alcee writes to his wife and grants her the choice of staying in Biloxi or returning to him.
The sunshine after the storm brought a great feeling of happiness for all of the characters in the story. Calixta and Alcee got to relive their past romance and it stayed a secret from their families. Bobinot got a feast and Clarisse got a taste of her maiden freedom. "So the storm passed and everyone was happy (Chopin 259)." Although the storm in no way excuses their actions, it was an excellent way of symbolizing the events of the story.