" (Fisher). Compared to men, women were practically invalids and incapable of some of the simplest things. This is shown in "The Story of an Hour" in multiple places. The first of these is in the very beginning when we are told that "Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with heart trouble" which is not a completely necessary detail to the story, but does immediately show how she is weaker than others (Chopin). Later in the story when Mrs. Mallard begins to recognize the feeling of freedom washing over her, she "[strives] to beat it back with her will--as powerless as her two white slender hands would have been" (Chopin). By putting this in the story, Chopin effectively shows that Mrs. Mallard is supposed to be perceived as weak both in physical strength and willpower. Chopin also shows that Mrs. Mallard is weak when she writes that Mrs. Mallard's sister, Josephine, was by the door asking to come in. Josephine was saying to Mrs. Mallard, "Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door--you will make yourself ill" (Chopin). The fact that Josephine thinks that just by being alone Mrs. Mallard can make herself ill shows how frail women are perceived to be.
Aside from the weather and women being perceived as weak, Chopin also includes aspects of repression and emotional independence in "The Story of an Hour." One example of emotional independence can be seen when the reader learns of Mrs. Mallard's heart trouble. This could signify that Mrs. Mallard often felt alone throughout her life with Mr. Mallard. Another example is when Mrs. Mallard ".went away to her room alone. She would have no one to follow her," (Chopin). In the late nineteenth century a married woman was "to be subject to her husband as well, and often treated as a superior servant not as an equal," (Fisher). Chopin uses society's expectations for women to help shape Mrs. Mallard and her actions.