The Storm By Kate Chopin Analysis

Living in a Man’s’ World
Kate Chopin is an outstandingly creative writer who brilliantly writes so that even if someone is not the strongest reader, they will still get a compelling story; but if they are a strong reader, they’ll go further by receiving the true meaning behind her wit and intelligent writing styles. Chopin is great about letting readers scratch the surface of a topic that needs to be brought to attention and then just exploits the details by placing wordage exactly where it needs to be to realize just how pressing these issues are, and especially how different times were back then than how they are currently. In her short stories, specifically “The Storm”, Chopin contrasts the responsibilities of the spouses based on gender
She instead chooses for this to be shown by having Bobinot and Calixta switch gender roles. Bobinot plays the woman, and “she” is to be absolutely faithful to her husband no matter what. She is to have no affairs, not spend money without his permission, do nothing morally wrong such as drink, smoke or do any sort of drugs. Also included in the list is she is supposed to act naïve and not acknowledge that her husband is having an affair, to look the other way so it’s easier on everyone. Yet if her husband wants to have an affair behind closed doors, it’s no problem at all. This is displayed by Chopin choosing Calixta to play the male role in the story. She cheats on Bobbinot, then lies by saying she “was uneasy” (83) about him not being safe during the storm, when she was actually cheating on him. She then goes on to “laugh with them so much and so loud” (84) and “express nothing but satisfaction at his safe return” (84). If “he” wants to cheat, drink, party, anything at all, it’s fine because he is the male and he is superior. The woman is supposed to totally commit to the man, and give him anything he could ever want or need, no matter how her husband treats her, This is shown by Bobinot “bringing some shrimp”(83) just for Calixta because “Calixta was very fond of them”(81) even though he knew she was unfaithful to him. Even if her husband barely acknowledges her existence, abuses her, cheats on her, or abandons her, she still has to respect him and do as he wishes. All the while, he gets a get out of jail free card. He gets to do what he wants when he wants because that’s what he wants to do. Chopin feels this is not the right way to regulate a relationship. The man can’t always be on top. The woman shouldn’t always have to be 100% devoted when the man doesn’t have to be, that just isn’t fair. The woman shouldn’t have to put up with neglect, hypocrisy, cheating, abuse;