The short story “The Storm” by Chopin describes the events that happen during a storm, and, consequently, brings out the characters of those involved in the story. Among the characters in the story is Calixta, who plays the role of a homemaker and has several character traits as shown in the story. Chopin describes the character of Calixta through her interactions with numerous other characters, some of whom belong to her family as well as others who are not part of her family. Kate Chopin’s “The Storm” is an interesting take as shown by the theme and the nature of the characters used in the story. The essay, therefore, undertakes to analyze the character traits of Calixta as depicted in the story ‘The Strom’. Although Calixta’s fulfillment of household obligations such as cleaning and cooking create the impression of her being a noblewoman, she is portrayed as adulterous and deceitful, character traits that betray the trust of her family.
Calixta as a Good Housewife
Calixta in the story is brought out as a good housewife who understands her roles and is focused on keeping her home clean and favorable for her family. In the beginning, Calixta is sewing furiously hence an indication that she is eager to complete the task and engage in other activities before her husband and son came home (2.1). As a good housekeeper, Calixta is engaged in chores such as sewing, laundry, cleaning and preparing supper for her family. As a good wife and mother, Calixta realizes that she has to fulfill the expectations of her family by keeping the house clean at all times. Her first reaction when she learns about the coming storm is to go out and unhung the clothes she had washed. Such response creates the impression of how Calixta is much aware of her obligations as a wife and a mother too. Bobint is worried that they will make Calixta mad they drag mud into the house, hence proving the fact that Calixta takes her housework seriously as expected of a good wife and mother. Bobint and Bibi stop near the house to make themselves presentable before they enter the house and are aware of the over-scrupulous nature of Calixta (3.1). The two enter the house cautiously through the back door so as to avoid having a direct encounter with Calixta hence proving the way the latter liked to keep the house clean.
The Caring Nature of Calixta
The fact that she is uneasy because of the safety of Bobint and Bibi which makes her greatly occupied proves the care of a mother towards her family. Her motherly concern is further shown when Bibi says thus: “Mama will be afraid” because of the storm (1.2). With a disturbed look, Calixta looks through the window while crying since she is deeply concerned about Bibi and Bobint. She is not composed which makes her even unable to sit as she ponders the well-being of her family in the storm. Her worries can, therefore, be the reason why she readily falls into the arms of Alce whom she welcomes at the house. Calixta is much relieved when Bibi and Bobint return home, and she sprang up to receive them hence showing the extent to which she was worried that the storm might do some harm to her family. Calixta seems to be striving to make a happy family through her care and concern for the well-being of Bobint and Bibi. Her love for Bobint is reflected in the way she is worried about his safety when he is out in the storm. Calixta is also overjoyed when she is presented with the shrimp that Bobint bought for her hence indicating how much she appreciates the things her husband does for her.
Calixta as an Attractive Woman
Calixta is also a beautiful woman as proven by Alce whom she welcomes at her home. Alce is surprised by the fact that Calixta is so beautiful even in her fifth year in marriage. The reaction by Alce and the love of Bobint towards her wife, therefore, show the attractiveness of Calixta. Alce’s attraction to Calixta when he embraces her, and the fact that he is immediately aroused prove the appealing beauty of Calixta.
She was a little fuller of figure than five years before when she married; but she has lost nothing of her vivacity. Her blue eyes still maintained their melting quality; and her yellow hair, disheveled by the wind and rain, kinked more stubbornly than ever about her ears and temples (2.7).
Such description implies that Calixta’s is physical and sexually appealing and the fact that she has still managed to remain attractive even in her marriage.
Infidelity Character in Calixta
Her fond feelings for her ex-boyfriend make her engage in infidelity where she is involved in an intimate scene with Alce. Such actions prove the extent to which Calixta is vulnerable in her emotions since she fails to control herself in spite of her being married to Bobint. Calixta gets thrilled when she spots Alce coming into her backyard and is unable to contain herself (2.2). She experiences a pleasure unlike what her husband gives her thereby signifying that Calixta is given something that was lacking in her marriage. She pretends like nothing happened when at the dinner, she and her family are heard laughing out loud such that they can be heard from far. The adulterous moment and the fact that Calixta still has fond memories of her ex-boyfriend means that she is to an extent unhappy in her marriage and is only pretending to be happy. The fact that she enjoys her moments with Alce and that their encounter somehow brings out the best from her makes her still capable of engaging in infidelity in case the opportunity presents itself again.
Calixta as a Treacherous Woman
In spite of all the positive traits, Calixta’s character also has some elements of a treacherous individual. The guilt of having engaged in infidelity does not hurt her, and she goes on with activities in the normal way. In spite of Bobint having maintained her and that she still looked attractive five years into her marriage means that Calixta betrayed the love and sacrifice made by her husband when she commits adultery. Actions such as giving Bobint a smacking kiss upon his return and the fact that the laughing at the dinner table was so loud to be heard as far away as Alce’s place gives the impression of hypocrisy in Calixta (3.7). Her enthusiasm raises questions whether her reaction is genuine and shows the sign of a situation whereby Calixta was unperturbed by her encounter with Laballiere. She hypocritically emphasizes that she is still the good mother and wife by showing how much she loves her husband and son.
In spite of Calixta having the desirable character of a good homemaker who knows how to perform her household chores, her good traits are negated by her indulgence in infidelity. Calixta was not guilty of what she had done and pretended everything was normal when she laughs out loud at the dining table. In conclusion, therefore, Calixta is a woman whose secretive actions betrays the trust of her family.
Works Cited
Chopin, Kate. The Storm. New York: Short Story Press, 2005. Web. <http://americanliterature.com/author/kate-chopin/short-story/the-storm>.
