The tone of “The Storm” is a deeply empathetic one. While many literary depictions of infidelity feature a judgmental or disapproving narrator, the narrator in “The Storm” tells the story of Calixta and Alcée’s affair in a loving manner, highlighting the beauty of their sexual connection. Take the following passage, for example, which comes during Calixta and Alcée’s sexual encounter:
When he touched her breasts they gave themselves up in quivering ecstasy, inviting his lips. Her mouth was a fountain of delight. And when he possessed her, they seemed to swoon together at the very borderland of life’s mystery.
Here, the narrator demonstrates their earnest support for Calixta and Alcée’s connection by capturing the subtle movements of their bodies (“When he touched her breasts they gave themselves up in quivering ecstasy”) alongside the immensity of their emotional experience (“they seemed to swoon together at the very borderland of life’s mystery”). The narrator does not judge this experience, raise questions about the ethics, or imply that either party should feel guilty for what they’ve done. By staying in the moment with the characters, the narrator suggests to readers that sex is a natural part of life that can be appreciated and even celebrated.
The romantic energy of the story shifts after Calixta and Alcée part ways, but the earnest and compassionate tone is still present as the narrator captures the joy that stays with Calixta and Alcée, as well as the joy that they channel into their relationships with their spouses after their loving experience together.
