"The Storm" can be interpreted as a story of sexual desire, a topic not publicly discussed in the 19th century, written in a third-person omniscient point of view. The relationship between Calixta and Alcée holds a degree of passion that is absent from both of their marriages. Calixta is scared of the storm, but Alcée's calmness relaxes her. Alcée embraces her after a lightning strike hits a chinaberry tree, rekindling the lust she once had for Alcée: "A bolt struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field. It filled all visible space with a blinding glare and the crash seemed to invade the very boards they stood upon."[4] Calixta's sexual desire seems to be directly tied to the storm.
Throughout the story, there is no bias from the narrator. This is an effective way to provide a completely open interpretation of the morality of the characters' actions.[6] This choice is interesting, as it can be said that the emphasis of this story rests less on the ethics of the affair and more on the simple present actions. Had the narrator shown a judgment, the audience may interpret the entire story in a different light.
In the article, "The Kaleidoscope of Truth: A New Look at Chopin's 'The Storm'", Allen Stein explains how some people believe that Chopin supports and defends Calixta's affair as an act of human nature; that women deserve to fulfill their sexual desires.[7]
Another thing to look at is how "everyone was happy"[4] after the affair, which can suggest the affair was a good thing. The story gives the impression that before the storm, Calixta was lacking excitement from her marriage, but after the passionate reconnection with Alcée, everything is better than before despite her adulterous acts.
