One may wonder how a woman could marry a man if she did not love him, but it is clear that she is doing exactly what society -- not her heart -- tells her to do. With all the references in the story to Louise's heart condition, one can't help but see the metaphor of the weak heart as the repressive nature of marriage in those days.
Overall, I believe that your story is eloquently and elegantly told. The personification, imagery, and metaphors are all used wisely. The reader never feels like they are being bombarded with too much symbolism and drama, which is important for gathering meaning. The story is an important one about freedom and the importance of freedom for all -- not just women. Louise Mallard...
It would have been satisfying to see Louise act in some way that was not normal for her as opposed to her just smelling things as if for the first time. This, of course, is just opinion and more of a testament to how much the character was cared for throughout the reading.
