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Chopin wrote of something that was not publicly discussed. The relationship between Calixta and Alcée brought out a spark of passion that was not present in their marriages. Calixta was scared of the storm but Alcée's calmness relaxed her physically. Emotionally it brought out her sexuality that was kept dormant from her younger years. When Alcée embraced her after lightning and thunder hit, it reminded her of the passion and love she once had for Alcée. It was as though her sexuality was driven by nature. The storm was brewing outside and leaving destruction in its path, like the bruise she put on her marriage by having the affair with Alcée.

The focus is on her vivacious body after Alcée not seeing her for five years and becomes entranced in it. Calixta's husband seemed not to look at her the same way Alcée did. When the narrator said "The rain was over and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems," it symbolized that they both had new outlooks on their marriages. Calixta was able to take her affair and use it to her advantage by helping her remember what a sexual person she once was. This metaphor could also mean, since the rain was the passion they had, and the world was their perception of both their marriages. The story ending with the quote "So the storm passed and every one was happy" symbolizes that Calixta and Alcée were happy to have the affair since it helped their marriages and both spouses would know nothing of the affair.