Mallard, a housewife, trying to gain a freedom and personal identity not afforded to nineteenth-century women. In a short period she gained her freedom and had a blissful outlook on life, until that freedom was taken away from her, ultimately leading to her internal suicide. As the reader can deduce, Mrs. Mallard's actions were based solely on violating her rights, so anyone can point this out and support her with pride. Living in that era was difficult for all women due to the lack of women's rights. Yet today, women have equal rights with men in most parts of the nation, including in business, politics, multinational corporations, etc. Many Americans became feminists starting in the nineteenth century to right the life wrongs suffered by Mrs. Mallard. As far as the nation is concerned, we have the same thing: even when couples divorce, the man and wife remain equal in property and children. “The Story of an Hour” is an inspirational story that many modern wives and women would find insightful and perhaps even allow them to stand up to their husbands when necessary.