The Role Played by Nature

The Role Played by Nature

The Storm and the Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

In these two stories, nature symbolizes happiness to the main characters. In the case of Calixta and Alce, a storm enables them to meet in the absence of Calixta's husband it reignites their emotions and desire for each other. After the storm ends, the sun reappears and illuminates the vegetation to bring out a beautiful scene; this depicts the joy and happiness that Calixta and Alce have after satisfying their sexual desires. On the other hand, the scenery of treetops, the sky and sound of birds tweeting signify the coming of better days for Louise, who has received information of the passing of her husband. To her, the start of spring symbolizes the beginning of a new life free from the bondage of marriage. The imagination of life without her husband fills her with the joy she no longer weeps her loss instead she celebrates it (Chopin, 1969).

Louise’s view through the open window brings her at ease with herself as she starts to imagine life without her husband; she enjoys the tweeting of birds and the sound of people singing. To Calixta, the downpour during the storm calms her nerves to the point of laughing as she enjoys the time they spend with her lover Alce. Nature acts as a soothing agent in both of these occasions, the calmness of the environment breathes new life into Louise whereas the ferocity of the rain erases Calixta’s emotional turmoil (Chopin, 1969).

The use of nature symbolizes the clash of emotions between the characters of the two stories. In the story of the storm, the tempest expresses the difference in the feelings of Bobint, Calixta's husband. He sees it as a means to evade his wife's feelings whereas to Calixta it acts as a bringer of joy because her lover arrives at her gate just as the rain starts to pour. In the story of an hour, the use of nature displays the clash of two different emotions that of grief from the loss of a husband and the joy of living alone...