A feminist is a person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes. However, in the 1890s, feminists did not exist due to patriarchal oppression. This time, women had to devote themselves to their husbands and children while continuing their mundane role as housewives. Although in the 19th century women began to feel stifled by living in strict social roles, they had to follow the norm, even though some wanted freedom. Feminist ideas can be expounded in feminist literature and literary theory, focusing on the complex journeys of women without social power and expected roles in a "man's world". According to Donald Hall, one of his key tenets on feminist analysis is: “Language, institutions, and social power structures have reflected patriarchal interest throughout history; it had a profound impact on women’s ability to express themselves and the quality of their daily lives” (Hall 202). Three literary works related to Hall's theory are the novel The Awakening and the short stories "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin and "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins. These literary pieces feature women suffering from repression who are looking for a way to break free from their ordinary way of life. Expectations of traditional domestic roles limited the very limited opportunities for expression and independence of women in the late 1800s. For Edna Pontellier, the protagonist of Kate Chopin's Awakening, she was prevented from seeking her own desires. Throughout the novel, Edna attempts to discover her own identity and recognize her emotions and sexual desires which become her “awakening”. Initially, Edna experiences her series of “awakenings” as nothing more...... middle of paper ...... eeper. In the narrator's consciousness, she sees herself "free" from her marriage, from society and from her repressed spirit. Consequently, Edna, Mallard, and the narrator free themselves from their husbands, children, society, and domestic roles. All three characters realized that women lacked social power and self-expression and wanted to break free from the set ideas that society expects. Honest and wise words from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a writer from Nigeria, says: “Because I am a woman, I am supposed to aspire to marriage, I am supposed to make my life choices, always keeping in mind that the Marriage is most important…but why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and not teach boys the same (Knowles). Women have always been expected to live up to society's expectations, but now they have a voice to speak out, bring change and break a patriarchal world..