Kate Chopin's

The late 1800s were not an era where “erotic” literature was popular, where feminists flourished, or where contemporary feminist ideas were typically thought, written about, or published. Kate Chopin, however, wrote “The Storm”, a story in which the protagonist, Calixta, is a sexually and spiritually frustrated housewife who has a one-time affair to improve her state of mind and her life. In “The Storm”, Chopin uses modern day feminist ideas and beliefs, metaphors and symbolism, …

…to understand the views and ideas that she is advocating. After Calixta’s infidelity, the fact that she is able to continue in her everyday life without guilt, remorse or retribution would seem improbable. However, Chopin’s plot allows the readers to understand Calixta, her thinking, and her actions. Chopin’s writing also allows readers to understand the societal views of sexuality in the 19th century and also to understand Kate Chopin’s opposing beliefs.