As the storm goes through its progression, so does the passion between Calixta and Alcee. The storm outside is unstoppable nature just like the storm brewing inside between Calixta and Alcee seems a force of nature also.
The setting for “The Storm” is the late 1800's in the deep rural south. The reference to Assumption: a parish west of New Orleans and the cajun accents help set the location. Alcee, Calixta's lover arrives traveling on horseback. Freidheimers store is not too far away, as the four year old was able to walk home through muddy roads and wet fields, which implies a rural setting. The action takes place in a small house with only a few rooms, dining, sitting, utility and bedroom. The view out of the window is of far off cabins and distant woods.
A thunderstorm is coming, Calixta is separated from her husband Bobinot and 4 year old son Bibi who are a few miles away at Friedheimer's store. She is home alone when she notices the sky getting dark. When bringing in her husbands clothes from outside she sees a romantic friend from the past riding up to the house and he asks to wait out the storm. They had not been alone together for five years since Calixta was married. Alcee who is also now married, still is very attracted to her. “Her blue eyes still retained their melting quality.” As the storm becomes more violent with thunder and lightning Calixta nervously moves about. When he puts his arms around her the lightning strikes amplify as does the beating of there hearts. The isolation from the storm seems to distance them from their spouses. There close heated contact awakens their passion and they make love while the storm crashes violently outside.
Calixta and Alcee felt the same changes the storm felt. Just as the storm did, Calixta and Alcee's adulterous passion was ignited and intensified as the storm raged. As the storm grew Calixta and Alcee became more intimate with each other. Soon came the climax of the afternoon, just as the storm was hitting its peak, Calixta and Alcee's lust peaked and then diminished along with the storm. The storm dissipated, just as the passion between Calixta and Alcee faded. As Calixta watched Alcee ride away he smiled and she laughed in the bright sun.
Although Calixta and Alcee enjoyed their passion during the storm, they did not love each other. Just as Alcee left Calixta's, both Calixta and Alcee realized that their real love was for their spouses. Their intense passion and the storms fury couldn't linger over them forever.
