According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, feminism is defined as the theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. Feminism is an important part of the short story “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin, which is a story that depicts the lack of freedom of women in the 19th century. Women had no rights and had to provide for all their husbands' needs. The main character of "The Story of an Hour" is a woman who suffers from heart problems named Mrs. Mallard. When Mrs. Mallard learned of the death of her husband, she was initially moved, but thanks to the death of her husband, she found freedom and was carried away by joy. The story is ironic because Mrs. Mallard learns that her husband was not dead and, instead of rejoicing at her husband's sudden return, she regretted giving up her moment of freedom. An analysis of "The Story If an Hour" through a historical and feminist perspective suggests that the story is actually about the identity of women in the male-dominated society of the 1800s, and how this caused the lack freedom of women. During the 1800s, men dominated and were the superior sex in society. Women's rights and feminism did not exist. In the 1800s, divorce was frowned upon and everything was given to men. In the Declaration of Sentiments, Stanton lists specific complaints regarding the oppressed status of women in American society: their inability to vote; exclusion from higher education and professional careers; subordination to male authority in Church and State; and legal victimization in terms of wages, property rights, and divorce (Driscoll 1). Since men acquired all property and children in a divorce, a woman's only hope of gaining freedom and property was to re...... middle of paper ...... forced, men do not obtain everything; men and women have an equal chance to prove that they are worthy enough to obtain property and children. Usually, the woman acquires the children and the man the property. “The Story of an Hour” might make some modern-day wives stand up to their husbands if their marriage isn't going very well. This story made me realize my equal rights as a woman and how much I take these rights for granted. Works Cited Chopin, Kate. “Story of an hour.” New York: Vogue Magazine, 1894. 156-158. Driscoll, Kerry. "Feminism." American history through literature 1870-1920. Ed. Tom Quirk and Gary Scharnhorst. Flight. 1. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2006. 380-386. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale of wind. Niles North High School. March 3, 2008. Merriam-Webster Online. 2005. Merriam-Webster Online. February 20. 2008 .