Sometimes the most liberating experiences are those not sought. In Chopin’s stories: “The Story of an Hour”, and “The Storm”, we are exposed to different views of liberation. The opportunity to venture with or without someone will be further elaborated. Furthermore, the act of gaining something is not necessarily always accomplished by addition.
In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”, Mrs. Mallard was a woman trapped in a marriage. You quickly realize exactly what type of marriage and level of confinement she was in. When Mrs. Mallard learns of her husband’s death, “It was her sister Josephine who told her, in broken sentences; veiled hints that revealed in half concealing” (Chopin ...view middle of the document...
The confinement she had on earth was finally over, as Mallard was her reason for disconnect on earth and also the cause for her final release.
In Chopin’s, “The Storm”, Calixta was a wife to Bibinôt and mother to Bibi. The confinement and resentment was subtle yet no time is wasted when Calixta was given the opportunity to turn back on her marriage. Bibinôt, who was heading to Friedheimer’s with his son, was concerned with the turning weather. Calixta was not initially concerned with her family as the storm came through, “Calixta, at home, felt no uneasiness for their safety” (Chopin 191). With imminent danger and intuition that a parent unknowingly has, Calixta’s initial lack of care exhibited a larger problem. At no point did Calixta wish anything upon her family, by means of negativity, but the actions carried heavy throughout the story. Her freedom, rather momentary, grew larger as a past lover presented himself. “She had not seen him very often since her marriage, and never alone” (191). Alcée Laballiére appeared by horse at an opportune time to see a woman alone that previously displayed feelings towards him. If confinement and boredom where ever more obvious, it was present as Calixta invited Alcée to join her in the home. As the storm picked up, so did the fear, and the realization that yes, her family was valuable. It was not her husband she missed, but her son Bibi,”Bonte!*** she cried, releasing herself from his encircling arm and retreating from the window, the house’ll go next! If I only knew where Bibi was!” (192). her...
