Jonathan Harrison

Kate Chopin

"Kate Chopin (born Katherine O'Flaherty on February 8, 1850 – August 22, 1904) was an American author of short stories and novels, mostly of a Louisiana Creole background. She is now considered by some to have been a forerunner of feminist authors of the 20th century."

This quote is a prime example of Kate Chopin for she had a strong feminist view point witch overwhelmed her writing. "The Storm" is a classic example of the new found awareness of women's rights which Chopin investigated thoroughly.

The story, "The Storm" starts out with a father and his son out in the woods when a terrible when they realize that a terrible storm is about to hit. The father and his boy make way for shelter when the setting shifts to the home where the mother awaits. The mom pretends to be worried until an ex lover arrives at her home. This event completely obliterates the memories of her husband and son stuck out in the cold as she proceeds to partake in a night of passion with her ex lover. The two wake up the next morning all smiles and the ex lover goes on his way as the storm has passed. The child and his father return home and the wife proceeds to shower them with pleasantries completely concealing her adulterous ways and they all live happily ever after.

This story, " The Storm" is a definite change of pace from past writers. It is the awakening to the fact that women are not controlled by men, and can do as they please as individuals. Morals seem to have no concept in this story as the wife shows no regard towards her son and husbands feelings. The only explanation to this tale must be that Chopin is a bitter woman and it shows. She had six kids to raise all by her self and this must have taken a toll. I realize that this is a great feminist piece but I feel that it has no place in literature and should have remained in the unpublished vault it came from. It loses its power in a message that needed to be said by introducing the subject in a pornographic manner. The reader is meant to see how women are free to make their own decisions but instead the writing evokes feelings of hatred towards a women that none of us men want to meet.