In Chopin's "The Storm," the fulfillment of passion and
desire has a cleansing effect like that of rain on the marriages of the
adulterers.
Alcee and Calixta, with a history of sexual
encounter, find their passion reawakened when Calixta, scared by the storm, reacts by
moving into Alcee's arms. The sexual descriptions would have been controversial enough
in Chopin's day, but the approval the story grants to the encounter even more
so.
Instead of her usual grouchiness and condemnation when
her husband and son enter the house after walking through the aftermath of the storm,
Calixta is welcoming and warm, fulfilled by her passion. Alcee, too, is loving to his
wife, and tells her to stay away on her vacation for longer than planned if she'd like
to.
Alcee's wife, too, finds marriage confining, and her
vacation from her husband is welcome for her, too.
The
story suggests that not only is adultery not harmful, but it is liberating and
cleansing, and even necessary for a succesful marriage. The brief adultery is harmless,
and even helpful.
No comments:
Post a Comment