Morality In Kate Chopin's Short Story 'The Storm'

It may come as no surprise to find out that author Kate Chopin was unable to get her short story "The Storm" published. Written in 1898, "The Storm" sheds light on sex and sexuality despite these things being taboo topics that many did their best to avoid talking about. Chopin uses this story to draw attention to the complications of marriage, as well as the lengths one may go in order to satisfy his or herself and his or her desires. This, in turn, leaves readers to question the morality of the story- stuck between deciding whether the story is moral, immoral, or amoral. In the end, Chopin’s short story proves itself to be amoral more so than anything else. The story begins with Bobinôt and his son, Bibi, purchasing shrimp from their local store when a storm arises. Bibi is worried about his mother Calixta, who is at home, but Bobinôt assures his son that she will be fine. The two decide to wait in the store until the storm passes. Calixta, meanwhile, seeing the storm approaching and begins to shut her windows and doors, and gathers the clothing she had hanging outside to bring them inside. As she does this, she notices her ex-lover, Alcée, approach her home in search of shelter. Calixta allows

Right and wrong are subjective terms, but there is no denying that cheating on your spouse is not normally a good thing to do. However, neither Calixta nor Alcée seem to be concerned with the righteousness of their actions. In fact, they do not even seem to care or consider the feelings of their spouses and children. This would most definitely lead one to assume that the two lovers are immoral, making poor, selfish choices simply to benefit themselves and their own personal desires. That does not make their choices immoral, but instead