The cultural norm discussed in The Story Of an Hour is the societal standard that women must be married- regardless of the presence of love in the relationship. Mrs. Mallard reacts to the news of the death of her husband with overwhelming euphoria. She begins to look forward to living a long life independently and free from marriage. When she comes to find her husband is actually still alive, she is so overcome by the grief of losing her new found freedom- that she dies of a heart attack.
