Mme. Mallard, from The Story of an Hour, is a great example of oppressed women of the 19th century. Her reaction to her husband's death highlights all the issues of a male-dominated society. There were particularly narrow stereotypes and duties for women during this time. Reacting with grief at first, the story shows the many quick reactions that shed light on how restrictive life as a woman was in the 19th century and how women eventually took control and made a change. From birth, a woman's existence, during Mrs. Mallard's time was dominated by the men in her life. If a woman had a brother, she should devote herself to making her and her father's lives as fulfilling as possible. It was a woman's duty. Wives were essentially seen as objects and slaves to men. When a man was at work, women were expected to care for the children and make sure the house was prepared for the husband. The reason women existed was to find a suitable husband and reproduce. The way Mrs. Mallard reacted to her husband's death can be directly linked to these stereotypes and d...