The title of this story suggests a metaphorical connection between the storm
outside and the storm of emotions going on in the individuals Calixta and Alcee.
The intensity of their sexual act inside the house follows the pattern of the
storm outside. Their passion climaxes and diminishes with the storm. They are
left replenished and fresh just like nature. The storm outside had been brewing
for some time, just as it had been brewing between Calixta and Alcee. They tried
to deter the storm by staying away from each other, but it was inevitable just
like the storm itself. They had set up barriers between themselves by not being
alone together but those barriers could be and were broken. Just like the storm
beating down the barriers of the house trying to expose them to the outside
elements, the barriers between Calixta and Alcee were diminishing with first
contact as shown in this excerpt. “The rain beat upon the low, shingled roof
with a force and clatter that threatened to break an entrance and deluge them
there.” This refers to the storm outside and their emotional state. They were
feeling this need and desire for each other and it was beating down all the
barriers they had set up within themselves to resist this temptation. Their
feelings were so dangerously close to the surface that they could hardly hide
them any longer. The storm was raging on and the drama of the lightning was very
shocking to them. They could almost feel its electricity. “The playing of
lightning was incessant. 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.” The lightning in the literal storm
was the symbol of the electricity felt between the Calixta and Alcee. It draws
them together by its magnetic force. She falls into his arms and their desire
could not be denied once they touched. The urge was too powerful for them to
deny, like a bolt of lightning. The intensity of the storm increases along with
their longing for each other. They did not turn and run from the internal storm
of passion within them, but instead it made them happy and giddy so they don’t
worry about the storm outside. “They did not heed the crashing torrents, and
the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms.” Her feeling
and emotions are very intense at this time. All she feels and needs is him to
fulfill the raging storm inside of them. Relaxation and calm is the feeling one
gets after a storm has passed. This is what they both felt after their sexual
encounter was complete. “The rain was over; and the sun was turning the
glistening green world into a palace of gems.” “He turned and smiled at her
with a beaming face.” His face beamed like the sun after the completion of a
storm. The storm inside of him was satisfied and calmed by this act just as the
earth is satisfied and calmed by a rainstorm. He felt whole and replenished. A
storm does many things for nature. It replenishes, feeds, and allows nature to
grow. The storm between Alcee and Calixta did all of those things. Their desire
was fed and satisfied. The storm replenished their relationships with their
spouses and families. The following passage was used to describe Calixta and her
family at dinner that same night. “…The three of them seated themselves at
the table they laughed much and so loud that anyone might have heard them as far
away as Laballiere’s.” It also replenished Alcee’s relationship with his
wife. “Alcee Laballiere wrote to his wife, Clarisse, that night. It was a
loving letter, full of tender solicitude.” This storm rejuvenated their lives
with their families as the other storm rejuvenated and replenished the earth
outside. It made everything stronger and healthier. The storm beautifies the
world with freshness and new life. The storm between Alcee and Calixta
accomplished the same thing. “So the storm passed and everyone was happy.”
The storm between them gave them new life and satisfaction. They felt fresh and
renewed like they had been reborn. They could appreciate everything they have
once again.