In Kate Chopin's Story of an Hour, the reader is exposed to a marriage that took place in 1894. In 2002 the definition of marriage is very different from what it meant to be married in 1894. In over a hundred years since this story was written marriage has transformed significantly. The beliefs associated with marriage either no longer exist or are not as significant as they once were in 1894.
When Louise Mallard is informed that her husband has past away she appears to be devastated by the news, but when left alone she is overwhelmed with joy. She dies immediately after realizing that her husband is still alive. This story would not be probable in the 21st century because women are able to maintain their individuality and are not forced to succumb to the demands a husband may put on his wife. For example, the number of women in the workforce continues to increase significantly and some women have even chosen to keep their maiden name instead of replacing it with their husband's last name. In any case if she did not love him anymore because of other reasons she would be permitted to get a divorce. Divorce was socially unacceptable in Chopin's time but occurs in half of all marriages in the 21st century. .
The marriage between Richard Mallard and Louise is a common marriage of the times where a woman was forced to succumb to her husbands needs and prohibited to go against him or leave him. Chopin acknowledged that women had very little rights as individuals. A woman would be forced to obey her husband and follow his orders because of monetary comfort, social status and acceptance by society. Chopin justifies Louise's joy over her husband's death stating: "There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature." .
In the past 100 years women have gained a lot more freedom in marriages.