The story takes place during the 19th century in the South of the United States, where storms are frequent and dangerous.

Finally, she notices that it is growing darker outside, so she decides to shut the windows and retrieve Bobinôt's and Bibi's clothes, which are hanging outside.

As she goes outside to retrieve the clothes, she notices Alcée, one of her former beaus, who has ridden up to the house in the hopes of riding out the storm with her.

Meanwhile, Alcée writes a loving letter to his wife Clarisse encouraging her to stay in Biloxi with their children as long as she needs.

[4][5] "The Storm" can be interpreted as a story of sexual desire, a topic not publicly discussed in the 19th century, written in a third-person omniscient point of view.

[6] This choice is interesting, as it can be said that the emphasis of this story rests less on the ethics of the affair and more on the simple present actions.

The story gives the impression that before the storm, Calixta was lacking excitement from her marriage, but after the passionate reconnection with Alcée, everything is better than before despite her adulterous acts.

Chopin's protagonist Calixta is portrayed as the typical housewife, as she is sewing and tending to Bobinôt and Bibi's clothes.

[1] By stating how "the storm passed and everyone was happy"[1] at the end of the story, it signifies how the affair is not viewed as negative.

Many critics have argued that "The Storm" narrows in on the topics of gender, and some view it as a sin committed between two "ex" lovers.

As Maria Herbert-Leiter suggested, "through this story, Chopin seems to be arguing for human passion and desire, but not at the cost of marriage.

Furthermore, Calixta's concerns for Bobinôt's physical dryness and Clarisse's continued devotion to her husband, prove the solidity of their marriages that are tested within the story.

"[10] In his book Women and Autonomy, critic Allen Stein stated that "From the first chapter to last, 'The Storm,' is pervaded by ambiguity.

That within the compass of the story's five chapters Chopin offers, to varying degrees, the points of view of five different characters suggesting no implicit consensus of vision but only a sense of fragmentation.

"[11] In 2009, John Berardo directed a short film adaptation of the story, produced by Major Diamond Productions.