Feminist Issues In The Yellow Wallpaper

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Feminist and socialist issues are imperative for progressive thinking and actions in today’s society. These issues were particularly new and diverse within the 19th and 20th century, when men were more in control of woman and women were required to fulfill specific roles. Most notably, writer, Charlotte Perkins Gilman became very active on these issues personally and incorporated them in her stories. One story in particular is The Yellow Wallpaper, where she brilliantly associates real life depictions alongside fiction to illustrate a misguided, repressed woman who has been overpowered physically and emotionally most notably with her medical diagnosis of the “rest cure” conferred by her husband. In the story The Yellow Wallpaper, Gilman uses personal experience with a vivid fictional ending to accomplish her goal of informing her readers of feminist and social issues. Characters within the story are the narrator, who becomes known as Jane at the end; John, the narrator’s husband and physician; Jennie, John’s sister who becomes the typical housewife in that time to allow the narrator to rest; and Mary, who takes care of the baby. The narrator and John rent an estate in the country, which could also be looked upon as “a haunted house” (2) in the narrator’s eyes. Ever since the birth of their child, the narrator has developed a temporary nervous depression. John, being a high standing physician, feels the “rest cure” is exactly what she needs to help with her newfound depression, which restricts her emotions and does not allow expression, ultimately making it worse. However, with her husbands esteemed profession she blindly accepts what John recommends. John places her in a large airy room where she is completely confined. She noti... ... middle of paper ... ... issues that affected women in general. I was fascinated at how her symbolism of the yellow wallpaper displayed the entire outlook on the story, and I thought this short story would be perfect to write about for my essay. In conclusion Gilman’s use of the six important literary elements and her passion for feminist and socialist issues, created a fantastic and informative short story that is The Yellow Wallpaper. Her simple yet effective symbolism allowed her readers to not only enjoy a short story but also become informed of these important issues of gender inequality. Using personal experiences Gilman was able to truly understand what women were going through the late 19th and 20th century. Thus, even as a male teenager, I was captivated and choose The Yellow Wallpaper to have a deeper understanding and analyze its literary elements used in Gilman’s short story.

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