 White is also used throughout the story to describe Calixta's skin and her bed, symbolizing both innocence and purity.Although Calixta is described as innocent throughout the story, she and Alcée still have a sexual encounter.Calixta's body "know[s] for the first time its birthright," meaning that even though she is married and has a child, she is obviously not innocent but she is now aware of the pleasure that her body can achieve with a different man.