Friday highlights

Chopin's "The Storm" drew a lot of attention, the ending in particular. Like a lot of writers who use techniques associated with Realism, Chopin seemed to raise more questions than she answered at the end of the story.

Kassie asks:

The story does not go on to say that she live the rest of her life with guilt. Maybe she did and maybe she didn’t. Who knows?

 GW weighs in one how much stock we should put in the sincerity of the last line:

I think it’s a great ending because it really leaves the door wide open for the reader. Was everyone really happy? Were Calixta and Alcee just happy that no one found out about the affair? Is this a sarcastic ending in which by “happy,” they actually mean horribly miserable?

Bree argues that Chopin's story actually celebrates the affair. Do you agree?

Chopin celebrates their affair and doesn’t condemn it because Calixta doesn’t get caught up in Alcee and have emotional attachments, she doesn’t want to up and leave with him, and it’s rather the opposite because she accepts Bobinot and Bibi when they come trudging in through the back door with a renewed sense of commitment. 

Weston isn't so sure:

No one in this story seems to be truly satisfied. They are content, in a way, to be fake, to put forward a version of themselves that appeases their spouse. No one is faithful, except maybe Bobinôt, but who knows what he would have done if not trapped inside of the store with his son. The author doesn't show us remorse from any of the characters.