"The Storm" by Kate Chopin is a great literary example of the use of
setting. Chopin uses setting to not only influence the reader’s senses, but
also, to illustrate the actions and feelings of her characters. Chopin uses a
great choice of short descriptive words to describe her setting such as: "[W]hile
the storm burst. It shook the wooden store and seemed to be ripping great
furrows in the distant field" (Chopin, 96), and "The rain beat on the
low, shingled roof with a force and clatter that threatened to break an entrance
and deluge them there" (96), to thrust the reader into the sense of being
in the storm that is baring down on her characters. The description of her
setting also helps to make the characters actions and feelings more powerful and
exciting to the reader than if the story had taken place in a different setting.
Chopin’s choice of setting also coincides with the actions and feelings of her
characters. In the depths of the raging storm the characters Alcee and
Calixta’s passion is as sudden and intense as the storm itself. Chopin
describes the lovers’ passion within the storm, "They did not heed the
crashing torrents, and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his
arms" (97). Even as the storm was intense, as was the lovers’ passion so
as the storm begins to tire itself out so do the lovers. "The growl of the
thunder was distant and passing away. The rain beat softly on the shingles,
inviting them to drowsiness and sleep." (98) As the storm ends and the land
is renewed, "The rain was over and the sun was turning the glistening green
world into a place of gems" (98), so it seems is the characters’
relationships. It is as if the storm has a profound effect on the characters
that make them appreciate those around them whom they love. Expecting his wife
to be worried and angry, Bobinot expects to find his wife to be ready to explode
when he and his son arrive home. However, "Bobinot’s explanations and
apologies which he had been composing all along the way, died on his lips as
Calixta felt him to see if he was dry, and seem to express nothing but
satisfaction at their safe return" (98). Not only did the storm and sudden
passion effect Calixta it also effected Alcee: "Alcee Laballiere wrote his
wife, Clarisse, that night. It was a loving letter full of tender solicitude. He
told her not to hurry back, but if her and the babies liked it in Biloxi, to
stay a month longer. He was getting on nicely; and though he missed them, he was
willing to bear separation a while longer-- realizing that their health and
pleasure were the first things to be considered" (99).

BibliographyKate Chopin. "The Storm". Literature: An Introduction to Fiction,
Poetry, and Drama. Ed. X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 7th ed. New York. Longman.
1999. Pages 95-99