Kate Chopin makes use of symbols of fecundity early in the story; the imagery of the farm's "furrows," the chickens, the "plows and a harrow," and of course the "big drops of rain" all suggest fertility, growth, and life. These themes center around Calixta, a mother and domestic goddess who looks after the house, sews, and does laundry. The setting, the farm of Calixta Bobinôt and their son, amplifies this symbolism.

The characterization of Calixta continues the theme of fertility and the sexuality that drives it. She is a woman in the full bloom of maternity with a full figure, "vivacity," and even hair that "kinked...about her ears and temples." Her movements are brisk and purposeful; there is nothing tentative or undeveloped about her.

The story's exposition sets up the circumstances that will lead to the inevitable sexual encounter of Calixta and Alcée. Calixta's son and husband are away and will be unable to travel home through the storm, and her son establishes the fact that Calixta will be home alone because her helper would not be there, either. The natural build up of heat and stillness in the air, and Calixta loosening her gown as she feverishly sews, sets up the arrival of Alcée.

The imagery of the view into the bedroom, with its open door, invites the lovers into a "dim and mysterious" shuttered room where they will pursue their passion in privacy.

The resolution of the story is that life goes on undisturbed by the moment of passion that Alcée and Calixta enjoy. She slips seamlessly back into her role of loving wife and mother, and he writes a loving letter to his wife. Chopin uses the symbol of the storm to represent an outpouring of natural passion that leaves no lasting damage.

Many of Kate Chopin's stories are set in Creole Louisiana, and this one seems to be no exception. The French names of some characters like Bobinot and Alcee and a few French words uttered by characters help to locate the setting in this location. There is also a parish called Assumption in Louisiana as well. In addition, the story was written in 1898—not definite evidence that this is when it is set, but there is little reason to assume the story does not take place around this year (no details in the story oppose such an assumption). Again, characters' names and their manner of speaking also seem to support this.

There are really only a few characters in the story. Calixta and Alcee, of course, perform the most significant parts of the plot; then there are Calixta's husband and son, Bobinot and Bibi, who are away from home when the storm breaks. In the end, we very briefly meet Clarisse, Alcee's wife. The storm is such a powerful component of the story that many people even talk about it as a character as well.

The storm is symbolic. The tension and pressure in the atmosphere seems to mirror the sexual tension in Calixta's house. Just like the lightning caused by the storm, Calixta's "generous abundance of [...] passion [...] was like a white flame." The fire and power without symbolizes the fire and power within when these two people who cared for one another for so long finally acknowledge their attraction. As the storm wanes, so does their passion, having been released.

One possible theme of this story, then, is that passion is an incredibly powerful emotion, more powerful, perhaps, than guilt or responsibility. Despite their happy marriages, Calixta and Alcee find insurmountable passion with each other, and then they return to those marriages; "So the storm passed and every one was happy."

The theme is sexual awakening. The title "The Storm" is a metaphor for sexual stirrings. This metaphor is a mirror for Calixta's passion that is stirring inside of her. The oppressive heat that requires her to loosen her collar is symbolic of emerging sexuality. (She is loosening her inhibitions.)

The setting is in 19th century Louisianna. There are strict morals about marriage vows. Also women were supposed to not have sexual passion but only "let" men have sex with them, within the boundaries of the marital relationship. Chopin went against the grain this way presenting women characters that opening responded to their sexuality and passion.

In the setting it shows the onset of a fierce storm. In the beginning she is not even aware a storm is coming but she feels the heat; then when the storm becomes bad a man(Alcee) appears asking for shelter from the storm.

He helps her with the clothes. While they are together in the house sexual tension builds and  she stumbles into his arms by accident but lets her passions go naturally. In the end they both go back to their regular lives.