Rebellion, opposition to one in authority or dominance. During the late nineteenth century, patriarchal societies dominated various cultures. Many authors during these patriarchal times wrote about subjects of freedom and rebellion. Famous author, Kate Chopin, wrote on rebellion and freedom in many of her works on the women in patriarchal times. "Not only Edna Pontellier, the rebellious heroine in The Awakening, but also the independent minded women in her Creole stories received extensive commentary- (Brown page 1). Critical readings of Chopin's works often note the tension between female characters and the society that surrounds them. .
"In one group of stories men and women are already established in a social identity and gender role, the men in the workplace and the women in marriage- (Brown). In the "The Story Of An Hour-, Chopin illustrates freedom in the character Mrs. Mallard. In "The Awakening- and "The Storm- she shows rebellion through the protagonist in the stories. As a feminine writer, Chopin often displays women's defiance in a society. They tend to go against the grain or take the road less traveled. Therefore, the women in her stories become strangers to the conventional role of women in a stereotypical society.
In "The Story Of An Hour-, the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard, represents the desired freedom by the oppressed women in nineteenth century marriages. Mrs. Mallard, in the beginning of the story, has received news that her husband has just passed away. He was involved in a train accident. Mrs. Mallard's initial response to the news of her husband's tragic death suggests that this tale may not progress as expected. She immediately boats into tears. After this tragic event she goes up to her room to be alone. Chopin foreshadows Mrs. Mallard's awakening with an open window when she enters the room. Which tells us that she is no longer trapped in a room but can be free is she chooses.