The_Storm-19th_Century_Eroticism

Teresa Thorne-Owens Romero English Comp 1301-425 Feb. 20,2010 “The Storm- 19th Century Eroticism” Kate Chopin’s “The Storm” is set in a time and place, where it was highly improper for a woman; a lady, to have feelings of desire. God forbid if she should have thoughts of infidelity too. The author was a sexually progressive woman. Although there are romantic and metaphoric tones throughout the story, it is clear to me that the author writes to express that passion and sexuality is undeniable and natural in a woman’s mind. The story was written as eroticism. The projection of pleasures and hedonism protrudes blatantly and had it been revealed in the time it was written, would most likely have been considered pornographic. Whether the authors’ fantasy or innuendo, sexual tension mounts as Calixta sits at that window sewing furiously. Lost in her thoughts and the, “perspiration gathered in beads” as she wipes it. Her body moist with sweat and described vividly and portrayed as sexy more than once. Reference is made to her breasts and body being voluptuous, ripe and still attractive. I can feel that arousal building between the characters from the moment they speak to each other. The lack of control she feels speaking his name, “_Come “long in M’sieur Alcee_” Her mind is reeling faced with his presence after not seeing him alone for so long. Here he was asking if he could seek shelter with her. They had had a private moment long ago when they kissed and nearly slept together. What desire left untouched then, unrequited passion carries through to the present when they face one another alone for the first time. The character Alcee had sent his family on vacation so he’s not worried about being caught. He thinks of Calixta’s husband and son being gone and stuck in town for awhile and knows he can comfort Calixtaall the way into a heated naked frenzy. He knows she wants him. She just can’t be forthcoming as it wouldn’t be proper. She waits to be seduced. He is persistent in putting her at ease and reassuring her that the storm will cause no harm to her family or her house. I love the lustful risqué passages throughout. “_He pushed her hair back from her face that was warm and steaming. Her lips were red and moist as pomegranate seeds. Her white neck and a glimpse of her full, firm breasts disturbed him powerfully_.” He has passed the point of no return, but Calixta is ahead of him already. “_As she glanced up at him the fear in her liquid blue eyes had_ given place to a drowsy gleam that unconsciously betrayed a sensuous desire.” She’s already resigned herself to what will happen. Foreplay resumes where it left off 5 years before. The kiss seals their fate. They reminisce about their past encounter as it fuels the heat of their desire. Then, “_They did not heed the crashing torrents and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms.”_ She has given into her passion and revels in it. Yet all the clever euphemisms portray 19thcentury porn disguised in romanticism. No wonder the story surfaced so much later than when it was written. I imagine it would have been censored or pulled from the shelves if it ever made print. What we translate today as acceptable would have been perceived as trashy and erotic in that era.