It is not hard to see why this piece by Chopin would be so controversial, especially in the time it was written. On the surface it certainly appears to be, on some level, endorsing infidelity. It seems to be saying that what people don't know won't hurt them. The last line seems to contradict how most people, including myself, feel about infidelity.
So the question is, what is this happiness? Is it real or is it facetious? Can someone truly be happy both in their marriage and their affair? I certainly don't think so, not if there is really any love in the marriage.
No one in this story seems to be truly satisfied. They are content, in a way, to be fake, to put forward a version of themselves that appeases their spouse. No one is faithful, except maybe Bobinôt, but who knows what he would have done if not trapped inside of the store with his son. The author doesn't show us remorse from any of the characters.
What I am trying to say is that these characters are not truly “happy.” Their happiness is haphazard and as destructive as the storm can be. Their relationships are as much in turmoil as the dark clouds that hung overhead.
I feel like there is a deeper symbolism that goes beyond the obvious, that indeed contradicts how the characters appear to feel.
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