Narrator and point of view

The short story “The Storm” by Kate Chopin is mostly told in the past tense by a third-person omniscient narrator. The only exception is the dialogue, which is in present tense.

The narrator’s omniscience can be observed in her/his ability to jump across narrative time and space. For example, the narrator is present at Friedheimer’s store, where she/he follows Bobinôt and Bibi, and then jumps to Calixta’s home, where she/he follows her and the affair she has with Alcée.

The narrator’s omniscience can also be observed in her/his insight into what characters are thinking and feeling. He narrator uses Calixta's point of view to present what she is thinking – for example, he shows that, at first, she is not worried about Bibi and Bobinôt: “felt no uneasiness for their safety.” (l. 17). He also provides insight into Alcée’s feelings, using his point of ...