Perspectives

To engage in a broader conversation about Kate Chopin’s short story “The Storm”, we encourage you also to consider the literary period in which it was written, as well as similar works.

Literary period

Written in 1898, the short story is part of the literary movement we call Realism, which began in literature in the mid-19th century and extended to early 20th century.  

Realist works are recognized through themes, context, and narrative techniques. In “The Storm”, we notice that Kate Chopin explores themes like sexuality and marriage through characters who lead regular lives. These themes are frequently encountered in Realist works.

In terms of narrative techniques, “The Storm” uses relatable characters in recognizable situations and focuses on describing the physical setting and the characters’ direct experience. The characters are given a realistic voice, and their language reflects the particular social classes they belong to. These narrative techniques are often used in Realist literature.

The story describes a relatable experience – the reunion of two lovers – without trying to elevate its meaning. The author makes no judgment on Cali...