The Yellow Wallpaper Analysis Essay

The Yellow Wallpaper is a short story written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in 1892. It is a feminist literary work that explores the themes of gender roles, mental health, and the oppression of women in the 19th century. The story is written in the form of a journal, narrated by an unnamed woman who is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper as a treatment for her supposed "nervous condition." Through a close analysis of the story, including its plot, characters, and symbolism, it becomes evident that Gilman uses the yellow wallpaper as a metaphor for the protagonist's deteriorating mental health, the oppression faced by women in patriarchal societies, and the consequences of repressive gender roles.

 

The story is set in the late 19th century and is narrated by an unnamed woman who has been prescribed a "rest cure" by her physician husband, John, for her supposed nervous condition. The protagonist and her husband, along with their baby, move into a rented house for the summer. The protagonist is confined to a room on the top floor, which has yellow wallpaper that she finds repulsive. The story is written in the form of a journal that the protagonist secretly keeps, documenting her thoughts and experiences during her confinement.

 

 

As the days go by, the protagonist becomes increasingly obsessed with the yellow wallpaper. She begins to see patterns and images in the wallpaper, and becomes convinced that there is a woman trapped behind it. She becomes fixated on the idea of setting the woman free and starts to peel off the wallpaper in an attempt to release her. The protagonist's mental health deteriorates rapidly as she becomes more and more consumed by her obsession with the wallpaper. She starts to behave erratically, including crawling on the floor and talking to herself.

 

 

The protagonist's husband, John, dismisses her concerns and attributes her behavior to her imagination and hysteria. He is portrayed as the embodiment of patriarchal oppression, as he belittles and dismisses his wife's concerns, refuses to acknowledge her agency, and insists on her complete dependence on him. The protagonist's confinement to the room with the yellow wallpaper becomes a symbol of her oppression as a woman in a patriarchal society, where her agency and autonomy are stripped away.

 

The protagonist of the story is an unnamed woman who is the narrator of the journal. She is a typical 19th-century woman who is expected to conform to the gender roles assigned to women at that time. She is described as having a "temporary nervous depression," which is likely a result of the oppression she faces as a woman in a patriarchal society. Throughout the story, the protagonist's mental health deteriorates as she becomes more and more obsessed with the yellow wallpaper. She is portrayed as a victim of her circumstances, as her husband, John, and society at large dismiss her concerns and deny her agency.

 

 

John, the protagonist's husband, is a physician who subscribes to the popular "rest cure" treatment for his wife's supposed nervous condition. He is depicted as a typical patriarchal figure who holds power and authority over his wife. He represents the oppressive gender roles that women were expected to conform to in the 19th century, where women were expected to be passive, obedient, and dependent on men. John's dismissive and condescending attitude towards his wife's concerns contributes to the protagonist's deteriorating mental health and highlights the detrimental effects of oppressive gender roles on women's mental well-being.

 

 

The yellow wallpaper in the story serves as a powerful symbol that represents several themes. Firstly, it symbolizes the protagonist's deteriorating mental health. As the protagonist becomes more obsessed with the wallpaper and its patterns, it reflects her descent into madness and the unraveling of her sanity. The wallpaper acts as a mirror of her deteriorating mental state, as the patterns become more chaotic and distorted, paralleling the protagonist's own unraveling mind.

 

 

Secondly, the yellow wallpaper symbolizes the oppression faced by women in patriarchal societies. The protagonist's confinement to the room with the yellow wallpaper, as prescribed by her husband and enforced by societal norms, represents the limitations and restrictions placed on women during the 19th century. The wallpaper becomes a metaphor for the societal expectations and gender roles that confine women to certain roles and deny them their agency and autonomy. The protagonist's attempts to free the woman trapped behind the wallpaper can be seen as a metaphor for her desire to break free from the oppressive gender roles that confine her.

 

 

Additionally, the yellow wallpaper symbolizes the consequences of repressive gender roles. The protagonist's repression of her own desires, thoughts, and creativity due to societal expectations and gender roles ultimately leads to her mental breakdown. The wallpaper becomes a manifestation of her suppressed desires and emotions that are now manifesting in a chaotic and disturbing manner. It serves as a critique of the detrimental effects of repressive gender roles on women's mental health and well-being.

 

In conclusion, Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" is a powerful feminist work that delves into the themes of gender roles, mental health, and the oppression of women in the 19th century. Through a close analysis of the story, it becomes evident that the yellow wallpaper serves as a multifaceted symbol that represents the protagonist's deteriorating mental health, the oppression faced by women in patriarchal societies, and the consequences of repressive gender roles. Gilman's work sheds light on the harmful effects of gender roles and the importance of agency and autonomy for women's mental well-being. "The Yellow Wallpaper" remains a relevant and thought-provoking piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today. It serves as a reminder of the need to challenge oppressive gender roles and strive for gender equality in society.