Answer:
As weak.
Explanation:
The very first lines of the short story "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin begins with the description of the character of Mrs. Mallard. She writes that
Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.
From the use of the words 'afflicted with heart trouble' and 'great care', 'gently' etc all resonates with a sense of careful action being done/ needed. These initial words give the reader an impression of the weak nature of Mrs. Mallard and why it was needed to share the information of her husband's death as gently as possible. Thus, the character of Mrs. Mallard was perceived as someone who is weak.
