Symbolism In Kate Chopin's The Storm

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One of the best ways a writer can express valuable information and leave this information open for interpretation is though symbolic representation. Symbols portray an underlying message without stating the direct message clearly. In Kate Chopin’s “The Storm,” Chopin’s uses of symbols are quite remarkable. Chopin’s story has many symbolic ideologies including the actual storm, the repetitive description of the color white, the can of shrimp the husband had returned to her, and the red lips, which all are a part of a struggle of a decision during desire.
First off, the storm in the story could represent many different things to different individuals. It could represent a struggle, a dark time in Calixta’s life, or excitement and desire. …show more content…
“Bobinot arose and going across to the counter purchased a can of shrimps, of which Calixta was very fond.(88)” This can of shrimp could represent loyalty, compassion, and effort that Bobinot (the husband) has for his wife. (Calixta) He holds on to this can of Shrimp through the duration of the storm as if it was vastly important to get it back to his dear wife. This effort which shows his loyalty brings a tearing controversy to the read with situational irony by showing how much compassion he has for her as a spouse. This symbol is a very important attribute Chopin used to show the struggle of what Calixta is facing. Chopin was very creative in the way she expressed valuable information throughout the story with symbols. There are many symbolic representations of color, items, and events in Chopin’s “The Storm” but some of the most pronounced symbols were mentioned above. The storm, which could represent a desire, a struggle, or excitement. The repetitive use of colors, which represents purity, innocence, and dangerous desire, and lastly the can of shrimp which could represent the loyalty for which her husband has for his wife putting the biggest gut wrenching twist to the
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