In "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin, we are introduced to Mrs. Mallard. She is portrayed as an unloving and heartless woman, overjoyed by her husband's passing, or at least that is the common misconception. Mrs. Mallard, although perceived as inhuman, is actually more human than many would like to believe. While his actions may seem questionable or even condemnable, they are hardly unthinkable in light of the issues involving marriage and the role of women throughout history. The story itself presents a strong argument in Louise's favor as she is portrayed as the oppressed wife finally liberated after her husband's death. At the beginning of "The Story of an Hour," Mrs. Mallard is just a typical wife. It is only when she learns of her husband's death that she simply becomes Louise, now an individual, no longer overshadowed by her husband. After her husband's death, Louise feels that she will no longer suffer a "powerful will that bends her" (14), thus indicating that she had lacked a voice in the marriage. Chopin clearly indicates this lack of freedom and individuality in Louise's marriage by stating: "[. . .] that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have the right to impose a private will on their fellow man." (14). This statement reflects the way men and women oppress each other, denying each other freedom and a sense of identity. This is in line with the common belief that women have lost their individuality because their "legal existence has been extinguished by the status of marriage". (Robsson). Later, we learn that Louise actually begins to accept, even enjoy the idea of ​​a life alone, as Chopin writes the years "that would absolutely belong to her [...] she would live for herself." (14). Louise would like... half of the paper... ion. Ed. Sylvan Barnet et al. 7th ed. New York: Longman, 2005, 13-15. Friedan, Betty. The feminine mystique. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1963.Kearl, Michael C. “Marriage and Family Life.” A sociological tour through cyberspace. November 16, 2005. http://www.trinity.edu/~mkearl/index.html#in.Mink, Gwendolyn. "The Reader's Companion to U.S. Women's History: Legal Status." Houghton Mifflin Study Center. November 19, 2005. http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/women/html/wh_020600_legalstatus.htm.Robson, Ruthann. "The Reader's Companion to the History of American Women: Marriage." Houghton Mifflin Study Center. November 19, 2005. http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/women/html/wh_022200_marriage.htm."Women in Society: Great Britain." Facts On File Inc.. November 16, 2005. http://www.factsonfile.com/newfacts/Pdfs/46468/6-02.pdf#search='women%20in%20society%3A%20britain'.