The Repression of Women in Victorian Society as Shown in 19th Century Literature

The Repression of Women in Victorian Society as Shown in 19th Century Literature

19th century literature reflects to a certain extent, several ways in

which women were repressed in Victorian society. They were considered

inferior to men, and given a stereotypical image, showing them as

gentle, loyal and angelic. They were rejected of any personal opinions

or independence, for these were only a man’s privilege. Class and

status also affected women of the era. Evidence for these and further

repressions can be found in the short stories of 19th century writers.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’, which relates

partially to her own personal experiences as a woman under her

husbands overwhelming influence. Charles Dickens’ story ‘The Black

Veil’ also displays a view on women, as does ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ by W.

W. Jacobs, which can be portrayed as a male-dominated narrative.

Comparisons and contrasts can be made between these two novels, and

‘The Yellow Wallpaper’.

‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ shows examples of men’s attitudes towards

women, as well as women’s responses to these attitudes. The story is

based on occurrences during Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s own first

marriage. The fact that the narrative is semi-autobiographical

slightly highlights this, as she describes her relationship to ‘the

yellow wallpaper’, as she falls deeper into what we know as post-natal

depression. This use of two narratives emphasises the woman’s mental

decline, as the third person narrative takes over towards the end. The

reader is given an insight into her slowly deteriorating mind as the

first per...

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...lpaper, making her rebel mentally against

her husbands influence, so he eventually becomes ‘that man’, instead

of John. He ‘stopped short by the door’ when he saw her improper

state, he had lost his dominant stature, for he could no longer have

any power over her actions or thoughts.

The stories altogether show that Victorian women were very much under

the influence of men and their suggestions in their thoughts and

actions. They were also taught to have certain qualities, expected of

them by men. Several 19th century stories however, although showing

this perception of women, have contributed to an alteration of

attitudes towards women. Writers such as Dickens and Charlotte Perkins

Gilman have helped provide 20th century women onwards, with a fairer,

equal society, by highlighting female repression in their stories.