Water and The House
With the storm acting as an allegory for the forbidden passion overtaking Calixta and Alcée, Chopin uses the imagery of the rain that the storm brings to show how inescapable the couple's shared urges are. Alcée must go inside to escape getting drenched on the porch, and he and Calixta work together to keep water from coming in the door. Ironically, the rain is one thing they can escape, but the real storm is something they can not.
Mud
When Bibi and Bobinôt return home after the storm dies down, Bibi's clothes are covered in mud. Mud can be contrasted with the motif of white that highlights Calixta's female sexuality. Calixta's son returns home covered in mud, his clothes dirtied as a contrast to the pure white that marked Calixta's encounter with Alcée. The mud, therefore, is a reminder of Calixta's domestic obligations and entanglements.
The Chinaberry Tree
When a lightning bolt strikes a Chinaberry tree while Calixta and Alcée watch the storm, Calixta jumps back and falls into Alcée's arms. She cries out in worry about the safety of her son and husband, but she has already just about succumbed to the temptation to explore her old passions with Alcée. The Chinaberry tree serves to represent the lovers themselves, struck by their old desire as it if were a lightning bolt—yet more fallout from the raging storm.
