While it has traditionally been men who were bestowed with more privileges in a marital relationship, Chopin broadened the intellectual horizons of the readers by presenting to them a woman’s point of view of marriage – both the psychological and physical aspects. While some of her other works of fiction carried a similar theme (most notably her novel “The Awakening”), the short piece of literature that is “The Storm” expounded on this theme in the most dramatic fashion (Encyclopedia of World Biography).
Kate Chopin was an author and a woman who was far ahead of her time, which attracted harsh criticism from reviewers and stigmatization from the members of her society. In this sense, she sacrificed a regular and peaceful life for the need to break open barriers to progress. In an era when women were considered subordinate to men and any expression of sexual desire from them deemed inappropriate if not blasphemous to the holiness of marriage, Chopin liberated all women with her adherence to truth. She liberated all women by forsaking her own liberties. In the final analysis, this fact is the strongest testament to the importance of this piece of literature (Seyersted).
Core sources perused for the essay alongside the original story text:
Seyersted, Per. Kate Chopin: A Critical Biography. Baton Rouge: LA State University Press, 1969.
Skaggs, Peggy. Kate Chopin. Boston: Twayne, 1985.
Farca, Paula Anca. “Foucault informs Kate Chopin’s short fiction.” Academic Exchange Quarterly 11.1 (Spring 2007): 120(4).
Dictionary of Literary Biography, Volume 12: American Realists and Naturalists. A Bruccoli Clark Layman Book. Edited by Donald Pizer, Newcomb College, Tulane University and Earl N. Harbert, Northeastern University. The Gale Group, 1982. pp. 59-71.
Chopin, Katherine (1851-1904)., “Encyclopedia of World Biography”. Thomson Gale, 1998., Academic OneFile. Gale., Prince George’s Community College. 22 Nov. 2007
Manning, S.L. “Kate Chopin Reconsidered: Beyond the Bayou.” The Review of English Studies 46.n183 (August 1995): 433(2).
Secondary sources referred in addition to the above:
Nash, Charles C. “Kate Chopin’s Private Papers.” Library Journal 123.n13 (August 1998): 89(2).
Mimken, Judy. “Kate Chopin Reconsidered: Beyond the Bayou.” Library Journal 117.n8 (May 1, 1992): 81(1).
Nash, Charles Crawford. “Unveiling Kate Chopin.” Library Journal 124.7 (April 15, 1999): 96(1).
Stearns, Melissa. “Introduction to Modern English and American Literature, 2 vols.” Library Journal 115.n9 (May 15, 1990): 120(1).
Simons, Judy. “Kate Chopin, Edith Wharton and Charlotte Perkins Gilman: Studies in Shorter Fiction.” The Review of English Studies 50.198 (May 1999): 263(2).