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Feminist Analysis Of Kate Chopin's The Storm

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Feminist analysis of The Storm The rise of the Women’s Movement during 1890’s encouraged many to grant all human beings the same fundamental rights despite one's gender. Traditionally, sexual passion, in a woman's aspect of life, was considered inappropriate and wrong in societal views. Yet, Chopin boldly addresses sexual desire in a woman with a strong feminist tone in The Storm, empowering female sexuality. The mere presence of sexual desire in Calixta is a feminist statement itself, as sex was considered out of a woman’s metaknowledge, which is shown as the storm passes by. The thunderstorm is used to illustrate the time span of the sexual encounter between Calixta and Alcee. For example, Calixta’s hesitant behavior ends as the first lightning strikes, her sexual desire grows as the storms roars while progressing and the two depart as the storm ends. Chopin paints sensual images in our minds as she describes the experience along with Calixta’s honesty of enjoying it, making a feminist statement again. Chopin boldly reveals the truths about sexual relationships, targeting those not in a sacred marriage and empowers women to appreciate their bodies and …show more content…

What makes this a feminist statement is that Calixta has no reason to do this as she is not in a unhappy marriage nor does she have genuine feelings for Alcee. From the beginning of The Storm, readers acknowledge Bobinot’s devotion to Calixta as he purchases her favorite snacks and helps in cleaning. This shows there was no brutish husband involved. Since Alcee and Calixta weren't true lovers to begin with, it's clear that the sexual encounter was a purely physical experience. Chopin empowers female sexuality by showing an woman who expresses sexual desire and lacks guilt and a legitimate excuse for the society, like men have been

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