What is ironic about Mrs. Mallard's private reaction to her husbands death?

The irony in Mrs. Mallard's private reaction to her husband's death lies in her sense of liberation rather than grief. While society expects her to mourn deeply, she instead feels a profound sense of freedom and relief, recognizing that she can now live for herself without the constraints of her marriage. This unexpected response highlights the oppressive nature of her marital life and contrasts sharply with societal norms regarding a wife's expected behavior in such circumstances.