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The Storm Commentary

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It is no secret that our society has been dealing with issues revolving around gender for most of history. Our world as a whole is used to seeing different forms of gender commentary nowadays. However, The Storm, written by Kate Chopin, showcases a very progressive view of gender for the time of its publication in 1969, but especially for the time in which it was written, 1898. Despite the time period and societal situation, Chopin manages to portray the female and male characters in ways that have not been explored yet. The author creates very decisive, carefree, and promiscuous female characters as opposed to characters who rely on men. She also displays the male characters in a weak and submissive way as opposed to strong and powerful. A …show more content…

Men in this era were normally portrayed as strong-willed, powerful, and quite frankly the only characters who matter. However, in The Storm, the men characters are portrayed much weaker and submissive than the female characters. In the case of Bobinôt, he seems to greatly appreciate Calixta, however, seems afraid of her as well. He is not afraid of her actions, but merely her reactions to the things he does. An example of this is when Bibi gets all dirty with mud and Bobinôt is worried about his wife’s reaction to this. The following citation gives the reader insight into Bobinôt’s feelings towards his wife. “Bobinôt’s explanations and apologies which he had been composing all along the way, died on his lips as Calixta felt him to see if he were dry, and seemed to express nothing but satisfaction at their safe return.” (Chopin, page 547) He is ready to apologize to his wife for something he believes she would be upset although it has nothing to do with him, nor is it his fault. This citation could show how submissive Bobinôt is towards his wife. On The other hand, Alcée seems to have a very caring relationship with his wife beside the acts of adultery. As he writes to her, he informs her that if she needs to stay away a month longer, he …show more content…

After Alcée writes that loving letter to his wife, most would assume that Clarisse would be ready to start heading home to her husband. However, her response is the complete opposite. Clarisse has no problem staying away from her husband for another month. The following citation gives the reader insight into how Clarisse feels about her husband’s proposition of staying away for another month. “She and the babies were doing well. The society is agreeable; many of her old friends and acquaintances were at bay. 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.” (Chopin, page

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