Kate Chopin - Extreme Happiness and Fulfillment

Kate Chopin explains that extreme happiness and fulfillment can be found outside a marriage, involving even something as eccentric as an affair, without necessarily having any kind of consequences. Chopin's amazing use of symbolism and imagery helps her readers to understand this theme.

One example of Kate Chopin's use of symbolism was found when she created the strong, intense storm outside to symbolize the same kind of storm that was brewing inside. Calixta and Alcee were ex-lovers who were both married to different people. However, when they reunited after many years on a really stormy evening, they ended up alone in her house. Calixta was worried about her son, Bibi, being out in the storm but conveniently Alcee was there to comfort her. They were very sexually attracted to each other and with the rain beating outside, along with Alcee's comfort, emotions began to go wild similar to the outside storm.

Chopin's use of imagery was demonstrated when she explained Calixta's first orgasm, not only with Alcee, but ever in life. She explained it in this way: "Her firm, elastic

flesh that was knowing for the first time its birthright, was like a creamy lily that the sun invites to contribute its breath and perfume to the undying life of the world." This in part is an illustration of sexual happiness and fulfillment being found outside of a marriage without fear of any negative consequences. Alcee's feelings on the matter was also mentioned, he never felt complete, intense passion until having sex with Calixta. Chopin mentioned that, "The generous abundance of her passion, without guile or trickery, was like a white flame which penetrated and found response in depths of his own sensuous nature that had never yet been reached."

Kate Chopin's artistry was expressed again after Alcee and Calixta's affair to explain the bliss that they felt. When the emotional and physical storm settled inside, Chopin's use of both symbolism and imagery offered us insight on what happened outside. She said, "The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems." Delight came after the storm which was symbolic for the delight that the main characters felt after their intercourse.

Although Alcee and Calixta were both married for about five years, it wasn't until they were together that they experienced sexual fulfillment. Chopin mentions that, "when he possessed her, they seemed to swoon together at the very borderland of life's mystery." By the end of the story however, they both went to their respective home and reunited with their happy families. Kate Chopin ended the story with "So the storm passed and every one was happy," which was on behalf everyone, Alcee, his wife, their children, Calixta, her son and her husband.