What is the opression in "The Story of an Hour" and "A Doll's House"?

This is a great question! There are lots of ways that you
can compare and contrast the two central protagonists in these texts, Mrs. Mallard and
Nora. However, the wording of your question seems to identify the central way that you
can explore their presentation. Both characters are oppressed females in a patriarchal
world full of patriarchal institutions, especially marriage, that force them to become
something that they are not. Likewise, both characters experience liberation through the
action of the story, although in the case of Mrs. Mallard, this liberty is short-lived.
Both reveal that the patriarchal institution of marriage has the potential to squash and
inhibit the growth, maturity and development of a female from occurring along natural
lines, as the wife has to meet a whole host of societal expectations to fulfil her
"role" as wife.

Therefore, if you are writing an essay on
this topic, I would explore the nature of the word "oppression" as applied in this case
and the way that both characters reveal. Then I would consider how Nora and Mrs. Mallard
gain liberation. Hopefully the points I have given you above will give you lots of ideas
for what you can talk about. Good luck!