The Storm’s Socio-cultural Setting: Louisiana.
Written in 1898 but published 70 years later, The
Storm obviously creates a huge hurricane in the publication process. Kate
Chopin who was famous as a feminist author
bravely discussed adultery in this short story. However, the society was
not open to this and the publication is delayed for a very long time and it’s
finally published 65 years after Kate’s death. The background of this story is
based on Louisiana in the late 80’s where Catholic influences was predominant. Throughout
this story, Kate’s milieu largely affecting it in many aspects.
Kate Chopin highlighted Catholicism in this story.
However, she rendered adultery which is a sin that could bring to divorcement
according to the Catholic Law. Louisiana’s population generally is catholic and the society was opposed
to adultery, rationale for delayed publication of The Storm. Kate had her
education in The Sacred Heart Academy, she mentioned Assumption which is a
Catholic village and the honor of a man prevent himself from fornication
because Assumption is related to purity and virginity and Mary’s ascent to
heaven after her death. Yet, the
author was being sarcastic when the man don’t stop himself from adultery in
Louisiana.
Louisiana is closely related to France and Spain.
Before Louisiana become a part of The States ,it was claimed by France and
named after King Louis XIV in 1682. Later , Spain gains control of Louisiana
from The Treaty of Fontainebleau in1762. However, in 1800, Louisiana territory
was yield to France again and purchased by United States for 15 million dollars
.This explains the different dialect used by the characters which were Creoles
and Acadian, the descendants of the 17th century French Creole Group. The way the characters
spoke also different according to their social class.
In addition, this story is actually a sequel
of “At the Cadian’s Ball” , where
agriculture hugely stressed throughout the story. Louisiana’s residents were
mostly farmers. Many fields were mentioned in this story as they practiced
agriculture thus clarify the background in The Storm. The field that was
visible through the windows where they saw a tall chinaberry tree struck at the
edge of a field and the harrows that piled up at the side of Calixta’s house
are evidence of their lifestyles.
In 1898 ,Atlantic hurricane season had happened
and Louisiana was hit by hurricane in 20th September ,later the wind
dispersed over Illinois on 22nd September. The storm’s speed was 60
mph and its fit perfectly the setting in this story where the author
emphasized how bad the storm was. The
author folds many events during The Storm and ended the story with “So the
storm passed and everyone was happy” without revealing the happiness that was
described lied on the foundation of a hidden wicked act. Kate Chopin’s story
touched the sensitivity line but it does told the truth of life reality.
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