In "The Storm," we see a woman who acts against all conventional boundaries associated with marriage, and breaks her marital vows in order to grasp what she feels is a moment of happiness for herself. Calixta was obviously not content to just obey her husband; if she was, she would have never sought solace or enjoyment in the arms of another man. A lot of people during that time period did feel that women should be totally and completely fulfilled being a wife, mother, and servant to all. That was women were born and bred to do, and fulfilling the role of loving and serving wife was their station in life. Calixta, though seemingly not completely unhappy in her situation, was not totally fulfilled. If she was, she wouldn't have turned to Alcee--the desire wouldn't have even been there.
After the affair, Calixta seems truly happy. Chopin writes,
"The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems. Calixta, on the gallery, watched Alcée ride away. He turned and smiled at her with a beaming face; and she lifted her pretty chin in the air and laughed aloud."
And, when her son and husband return, expecting her to be totally upset about their muddy shoes, instead they come home to a happy, bubbly, loving woman, where before she had been an "over-scrupulous housewife" who they had to be careful around in order to not displease her. In this story, the woman's foray into marital infidelity, into not being completely submissive and conventional, brought her the most happiness. I hope that those thoughts helped; good luck!
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