Alcée Laballière

Alcée Laballière is also a protagonist in the short story “The Storm” written by Kate Chopin.

Outer characterization

Readers are introduced to Alcée’s character in the second part of the story. Alcée arrives at Calixta’s house, looking for shelter from the upcoming storm. He asks Calixta for permission to wait in the house’s gallery: “ ‘May I come and wait on your gallery till the storm is over, Calixta?’ he asked. ‘Come ‘long in, M’sieur Alcée.’ ” (ll. 29-30). The fact that Calixta addresses him in this way shows that he is from a different social class. This is not directly referenced in “The Storm”, but is explained in Chopin’s earlier story “At the ‘Cadian Ball” – Alcée is Creole, and like other Creoles in Chopin’s stories, he is most likely wealthy. Furthermore, Alcée is also the only character in the story who has a last name. This might also indicate his higher social status compared to Calixta and her family.

There are no references to his physical appearance except after the affair takes place: “He stayed cushioned upon her, breathless, dazed, enervated, with his heart beating like a hammer upon her.” (ll. 96-97). We also learn that he has muscular shoulders (l. 98), which alludes to his manliness.

Inner characterization

Alcée’s inner characterization is constructed through his language, his actions, and his perception of Calixta, which is conveyed through the narrator’s words.

His initial actions show that he is a gentlem...