In "The Storm" how does Chopin use the storm as a symbol? In other words, what does it represent?

In Kate Chopin's "The Storm," the "tempest" functions in
several capacities.

First and foremost is the literal
occurrence of the storm. It is what keeps Bobinôt and his son, Bibi, from returning
home. It is also that which leads Calixta outside to take in the laundry, running
into Alcée, (her lover from Chopin's previous story, “At the ’Cadian Ball”), who is
looking for shelter from the weather. (Since the affair, Clarisse has married Alcée and
they have children as well.)

The storm is the catalyst for
the events of the story: had the weather been clear, the lovers would not have been
forced together, and thereby given the opportunity to pick up where they left
off.

Symbolically, however, the storm refers to the passion
between the two lovers as they make love. It can also, however, refer to the angst they
feel in their "restrictive" marriages where frustration, boredom, responsibility, and
desire all explode with the violence of a thunder and lightning
storm.

The calm after the storm refers to the improved
state-of-mind for Calixta, who because of this physical release is joyful when her
family returns; for Alcée, who writes to his wife that evening (she is away) to tell her
he misses her, and to generously tell her that she can stay longer if she wishes (with
no evidence that he has plans to see Calixta again); and, Clarisse, who is also finding
marriage restrictive, welcomes the opportunity to enjoy her freedom a little
longer.

The lovers, from Chopin's
view, have had some "innocent adultery," (something I disagree with—but which
is typical of Chopin's themes); this allows them now to return to their lives happier
people, seeing to the greater good of all—as Chopin sees it.