In Kate Chopin's time, women, their sexuality and sexual passion were considered a negligible, even improper, aspect of female life. Yet Chopin courageously addresses a woman's sexual desire in his story "The Tempest." This story puts in great detail a torrid extramarital sexual encounter between Calixta and Alcee in the midst of a raging storm. While “The Storm” could have been presented in a traditional light, perhaps as a lesson on the evils of uninhibited female sexuality, Chopin maintains a non-judgmental stance by refraining from moralizing about the sanctity of marriage or the impropriety of Calixta's actions. By failing to condemn, and even condoning, Calixta's behavior, as well as acknowledging the existence and depth of sexual desire in women, Chopin infuses “The Storm” with a strong feminist quality. Chopin questions the very institution of marriage with this story. The mere presence of Calixta's sexual desire and its remarkable intensity make this story innovative in its feminist statement on women and their sexuality. Chopin uses the symbolism of a thunderstorm to describe the passion between Calixta and Alcee. First, Calixta is not entirely aware of the coming storm, and her desires may not be that obvious to her; however, as the storm continues, Calixta becomes more and more excited. I believe Chopin deliberately juxtaposed these events when he wrote “he felt very hot… he untied his white saque around his neck. It began to get dark and suddenly realizing the situation he got up and hurriedly closed the windows and doors” (Chopin, 1898, page 1). The ever-growing storm serves as a metaphor for Calixta's growing passion, suggesting that both the tension in the air and the sexual... middle of paper... neither have a socially sanctioned excuse. This expression of sexual passion does not become a moralizing tale of intrinsic female value or virtue. Therefore, Chopin presents a bold and new idea; that is, women experience desire and should be allowed to act on that desire with selfish intent, just as men have been allowed to do throughout history. In conclusion, I believe this story relates to today with how some people view female sexuality. Even though a woman's uninhibited sexuality is more acceptable nowadays, it is still frowned upon to some extent. When a woman sleeps with more than a few men, she is sometimes considered a slut or a whore. But if a man does the exact same thing, all he does is wreak havoc. Is this right? I would think not, but this shows society's point of view on what is acceptable and what is a