A comparison of the theme of sexual freedom in the literary works of Susan Minot and Kate Chopin.
This paper analyzes the short stories “Lust,” by Susan Minot and “The Storm,” by Kate Chopin in terms of female sexual freedom. It illustrates how we view sex differently today, as the writers are from two different eras, one hundred years apart. The paper’s author states that the young women’s sexuality in Minot’s story is more like a recreation, while in Chopin’s time it was based on real romantic passion.
“In “Lust,” Minot recounts the numerous sexual encounters of a young woman at college. Because none of the encounters mean a thing, by the end of the story, the girl is curled “up like a shrimp, something deep inside you ruined” (Minot 16). Not only is she pathetic, it is clear that her sexual encounters are not making her feel better, in fact, they are diminishing her, and how she feels about herself.
In both stories, those surrounding the pair have no idea of what happened, it helps add to the “naughtiness” of the encounters. “My parents had no idea. Parents never really know what’s going on, especially when you’re away at school most of the time” (Minot 5). “So the storm passed and every one was happy” (Chopin 347). Everyone has gotten away with something, and so they each have something to smile about, think about, and remember.”