What does Josephine & Richards represent in "The Story of an Hour"?

In Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" Josephine (Mrs.
Mallard's sister) and Richards (a friend of Mr. Mallard's) represent two typical
stereotypes regarding gender.

Josephine tells her sister
about her husband's death in "in broken sentences; veiled hints that revealed in half
concealing." This shows the typical female reaction to both death (an overly emotional
time) and the hint that something else may be of concern (many sisters have very close
relationships-Josephine probably knows about Mrs. Mallard's concerns about her own
life).

On the other hand, Richards made sure
to:

the time
to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram, and had hastened to forestall any
less careful, less tender friend in bearing the sad
message.

This indirect
characterization shows the procedural mind of the man. A woman, like Josephine would
have probably not taken the time to check the message twice. Richards is calculating and
wants to make sure he knows everything before giving Mrs. Mallard the
news.

This being said, Josephine seems to represent one
side of Mrs. Mallard: the emotional side; whereas, Richards seems to represent the
analyzing side. Readers see the transformation of Mrs. Mallard in her bedroom. She, for
purpose only, seems to 'turn male'- is able to detach emotion and look at the bigger
picture.

In the end, her female self returns and the
emotion kills her.