Literature & Poem Analysis

Literature & Poem Analysis

The Storm

How does Bobinôt's role as a husband inform his self-identity? How does Calixta's role as a wife inform hers?

In the Storm, Bobinôt, husband of Calixta and father of Bibi is presented as a playful, friendly, reliable husband who is not capable of grown passion. Ultimately Bobinot's identity and sense of worth is lost. The Storm" is set in rural Louisiana before, during, and after a torrential rain. The first section describes Calixta's husband, Bobinôt, and son, Bibi, at a store, where they decide to wait until the coming storm passes, despite their concern about Calixta's being at home alone. The second section focuses on Calixta, who is sewing, not thinking about her family. Alcée Laballière arrives at Calixta's house, seeking shelter from the rain. As the tempest rages outside, the two consummate their long mutual attraction (Ruby, 1999).

After the storm passes, Alcée rides away as Calixta laughs. Her husband and son return in section three; Bobinôt has given her a can of shrimp and meticulously avoids tracking mud into the house. The seemingly happy family enjoys dinner together. The Laballières are similarly unaffected by the affair. Sections four and five summarize letters exchanged by Alcée and his wife, Clarisse, who is vacationing. He tells her not to rush home because, although he misses her, his first concern is for her health and pleasure. Clarisse is in no hurry to return, however, for "their intimate conjugal life was something which she was more than willing to forgo for a while" (596). The final line of the story absolves the lovers of any guilt (Madden, 2009).

What claim about marriage does “the Storm” imply? Point to specific evidence in the story that supports this claim? Are you convinced? Why or why not?

The Storm" (composed in 1898) is the prequel or companion story to "At the 'Cadian Ball," set five years later. "At the 'Cadian Ball" portrays the strong attraction between Alcée Laballière and Calixta when each was single. "The Storm" concerns the reunion of Alcée and Calixta, now married to other people. Though it contains dialect and local color, "The Storm" is more akin to modernism than regionalism because of its moral ambiguity and frank eroticism. I am totally convinced with the way Kate Chopin has portrayed the concept of marriage through narrating the story of two people. Kate Chopin never tried to publish the story that, for its time, contained graphically sexual detail. It was finally published in 1969 in The Complete Works of Kate Chopin (Knickerbocker, 2000).

Digging

What common assumptions about the differences between metal labor and physical labor are challenged in this poem?

The speaker recalls memories of his grandfather at turf digging, "going down and down / for the good turf." The craft of handling a spade has been passed down through the generations and has provided families with the necessities of food and home fuel. By emphasizing the expertise and endurance necessary for the task, Heaney pays tribute to and dignifies the easily ...