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Challenging Social Norms

Using her experiences as a woman confined within a patriarchal society, Kate


Chopin portrays female characters that struggle for autonomy amidst the social
limitations of nineteenth-century Louisiana. Chopin’s ability to persevere and provide
for her children after the death of her husband, Oscar Chopin, alludes to the strong-willed
and self-sufficient nature she believed to be inherently present within all women (214-
215). Chopin’s “At the ’Cadian Ball” and “The Storm” trace Clarisse and Calixta’s
battle to exert their own will and thus retain an identity separate from their husbands
Bobinôt and Alcée, respectively (Wikipedia). Chopin showcases Clarisse and Calixta’s
potential to usurp society’s norms as Clarisse actively goes in search of Alcée at the ball
while Calixta takes control of her own destiny by marrying Bobinôt and later succumbing
to an affair with Alcée.
Chopin employs a cyclone, a natural phenomenon, as a way of drawing readers’
attention to Clarisse’s newly awakened sexuality. The fact that she is willing to go to the
ball in search of the man she loves illustrates the emergence of Clarisse’s independent
nature as she steps away from the norms of society. In particular, the Kate Chopin
International Society indicates that it would have been unlikely for a Creole woman like
Clarisse to attend such a social gathering as the ball due to her social rank. Yet, she is
troubled by the thought of losing Alcée so Clarisse takes the initiative to go to the ball
and personally find him (221-223). In essence, Clarisse sexually lures Alcée away from
Calixta and the ball itself but, as readers notice in “The Storm,” Clarisse’s sexuality and
passion seem to subside and thus the lack of sensuality within her marriage persists. This
becomes evident when she responds positively to her husband’s letter in which Alcée
suggests a prolonged separation. Clarisse is delighted by her husband’s proposition as a
result of her belief that “their intimate conjugal life was something which she was more
than willing to forego for a while” (227). Ultimately, Clarisse’s initial sexual desires
fade away and she actually becomes pleased by the thought of embracing her independ-
ency, which becomes apparent when she looks favorably upon separation from her
husband as a renewal of her former maiden days (227).
Similarly, Chopin utilizes a force of nature, in this case a thunderstorm, in order
to explain Calixta’s mounting sexuality and lustful desires. The onset of the storm goes
unnoticed by Calixta because she is consumed by the domestic duty of sewing (224).
Nevertheless, there is a parallel between the increasing severity of the storm and Calixta’s
growing consciousness of her sexual longings. As the storm intensifies and reaches its
climax, Alcée is forced to take refuge inside Calixta’s home (224). Clearly, the act of
adultery that soon follows allows for Calixta to emerge as an individual with a separate
identity from her husband, but more than that, she parts from society’s norms because she
enjoys her sexual encounter with Alcée (226). Calixta’s sensuality deviates from
society’s norms because she expresses blatant signs of enjoyment and satisfaction as a
result of her involvement with Alcée. Whereas Clarisse wishes to shun sensuality and
intimacy, Calixta exerts her independent will and forsakes her domestic duties as she
gives in to the temptations of her lustful urges and commits adultery.
Consequently, Chopin implements natural forces as a way of highlighting Clarisse
and Calixta’s confrontations with their sexual desires and corresponding displays of self-
sufficiency. On the one hand, Clarisse willfully distances herself from her husband and
conjugal intimacy. On the other hand, Calixta is sexually unsatisfied in her marriage,
which helps fuel her willingness to overlook the consequences of adultery as she
surrenders to passion. Clarisse and Calixta have opposing views about the importance of
the necessity of sexual intimacy but, in the end, they emerge as women who challenge
social norms and their role within society as Clarisse demonstrates her capacity to live
independently of her husband and Calixta proves that she is able to take matters into her
own hands.
Works Cited

Belasco, Susan, and Linck C. Johnson. The Bedford Anthology of American Literature.

Vol. 2. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008.

“Kate Chopin At the 'Cadian Ball ” KateChopin.org. The Kate Chopin

International Society. Web. 18 May 2010.

“Kate Chopin." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 17 May

2010. 18 May 18, 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Chopin.

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