In Kate Chopin's "The Storm," it shows her creative use of theme and symbolism throughout which is what makes it such a descriptive and detailed short story. She discusses sexuality using the elements of theme and symbolism. .
In "The Storm," the theme, feminine sexuality and passion is important. The title of The Storm, with its obvious connotations of sexual energy and passion, is of course critical to any interpretation of the narrative. Chopin's title refers to nature, which is symbolically feminine; the storm can therefore be seen as symbolic of feminine sexuality and passion, and the image of the storm will be returned to again and again throughout the story. .
Chopin talks about sex, as if it is enjoyable, which is very inappropriate for this time period. This quote shows an example of sex being made enjoyable "When he touched her breasts they gave themselves up in quivering ecstasy, inviting his lips. Her mouth was a fountain of delight. And when he possessed her, they seemed to swoon together at the very borderland of life's mystery." The affair that takes place during the storm, between two married people, does not ruin either of their marriages, but instead strengthens both of them. .
Symbolism is another important element of "The Storm," because it is used many times throughout the story. Calixta does not mean for this adulterous encounter to occur, and that it is accidental and innocent. In the stifling heat of the cabin, as the tempo of the storm builds, the love scene occurs. Alcee tries to calm Calixta down by touching her, when the thunder and lightening brought on a rise of sexual desire between the two. As usual Kate Chopin is trying to show that freedom nourishes. .
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The importance of nature symbolizing femininity throughout the story is that femininity is often seen as an analysis about nature. Here is one occurrence, of when nature symbolizes femininity; "Her lips were as red and moist as pomegranate seed" This quote explains how in "The Storm" nature is used to symbolize femininity, because it is comparing her lips to a pomegranate, which is a fruit, and fruits are part of nature.
