me for them but they don't put that much effort into attempting to get home. They seem to believe that everything will be all right if they just stay there and wait out the storm. These characters aren't seen as uncaring, but more as unconcerned about the welfare of the mother. The only thing that they do that is seen as kind and thoughtful is when the father purchases a can of shrimps to take home for her.The next section of the story shows Calixta, the mother, sitting at a window sewing. She isn't concerned for the safety of her family and doesn't realize that there is a storm approaching. Like many relationships, things may be going along just fine until 'opportunity' flashes, like lightening, and a decision has to be made that will change the future. Calixta's opportunity is in the shape of a man named Alcee Lavalliere. He shows up at her gate as she is attempting to get her husband's clothes off of the porch. He asks for shelter and Calixta offers to let him wait out the storm inside. She realizes that she hasn't been alone with Alcee since she was married and feels the temptation that she knows she must suppress. At this point, Chopin takes a little time from the action of the story to give a description of the house and especially the bedroom. She says about how Calixta and Alcee are in the dining room that adjoins with the bedroom that is described as dim and mysterious. Chopin is giving a sort of 'hook' for the rest of the story by giving these precise descriptions of the bedroom. The reader wants to know what will happen in that room and what the consequences will be. Chopin then sets her characters in a classic 'love scene' next to the window. Alcee is standing behind Calixta. The action begins when lightening strikes a tree across the field and Calixta basically falls into the arms of Alcee. At first she pulls herself away from him and tries to evade his charms. She goes through an inner turmoil that is equ...
