The Yellow Wallpaper Panopticism Essay

“Panopticism” and “The Yellow Wallpaper” Discussed

Society needs to have harmony and fruitful relations among all the parties that make it up for it to prosper. At any given time, no part of it should feel neglected and thus suffering as others grow and enjoy. However, women have suffered a long history of mistreatment, secondary position, emotional deprivation, and prejudiced allocation of resources among other evils. Foucault brings out the Panopticon idea in his text “Panopticism” as Gilman discuss the plagues of women in her text “The Yellow Wallpaper.” This paper therefore discusses the way the two texts can aid in the analysis of themselves.

Gilman critiques the position of women in society by giving scaring psychological tales. She depicts how the perceived “respectable” mistreat their women. In her text, one can see how cruel sometimes society can be towards women. An image of a woman in extremely pathetic state of consciousness is seen and lingers in one’s mind. Though to some it might be a false portrayal of reality, Gilman

makes it have a plausible ground as she brings out the idea of the 19th century family being split and highly sensitive. The men participated in the perceived “active” roles and the women in the “domestic” ones (Gilman 13). This therefore ensured that women remained secondary individuals as the men take the lead.
The division of the roles to be done by men and women kept women at a childish position. They could not take part or provide any reasonable influence in any decision making. They are consequently not to realize any meaningful development of themselves. They are to continue experiencing opposition and subjugation from the men. It is through the effective and consistent denial of freedom and the reluctance of the women to resist the established male superiority complex that has impeded women from attaining success. Can a woman not stand up on herself? Should the man be always around to assure women success? These are some of the many questions that Gilman ponders and tries to provide answers to. Her examples are meant to convince women to rise beyond mere submission. She provides them a basis with which they should do so by writing this text.
To further advance her argument, she presents fault in John’s conclusions and deeds. He is presented as too much egocentric and chauvinistic. He cannot accept his limited scope in thinking and actions. However, he is rigid to accept any willful advancement of counsel from his wife. The home environment he has set is that of mistreatment and excessive patronage. His wife carry all the blame as he takes all the credit. This is so even when there was nothing he did to warrant the success. His wife is to great extent traumatized yet he is “helping” her. The narration is made to have a tinge bitterness to express Gilman’s anger and by extension the anger of the plagued women having gotten the awareness on how they can succeed male chauvinism and the general oppressive environment they are living in. According to Gilman, women should have control over their lives and none should decide over their fate. They should be open and free to compete for any end with their male counter parts (Gilman 9). There is no limit women’s capabilities. The fantasies of John’s wife can yield more concrete results than the vague comfort it provides her now. For this to happen, however, the women should brace themselves up to counter the men. They should speak out their torments and what they would like to have in their lives. They should express their autonomy in deciding over the direction of their destinies. According to her, the concealment of her tribulations. In the process of providing her the comfort brought about by silence, they allow the thriving of their misfortunes. She calls this the “resting cure” and thus capturing the reluctance of the women to alleviate their situation. In the name of controlling her wife’s mannerisms and character, which is in the first place ironical, John manages to subdue her. At any point in time, John should be the one to cut off his intolerance and restrictions (Gilman 8). His wife is a better individual without him according to Gilman’s perspective. The silence of considered ironic as the woman is wrong in not defending her rightful place and the man is also is wrong in claiming all the powers to rule and influence the lives of the women negatively. The overarching dominion by the men is so intense and everywhere as if they are on a panopticon.
A panopticon as Foucault depicts is a humongous tower from which one can see all the activities transpiring in a cell. The prisoners can be seen from all corners and there is no way they can get freedom to do what they consider relevant to them (Foulcault 213). This building therefore represents the mechanisms with which men utilize in extending their negative influence on women. Their mistreatments are ever present and everywhere. Women in almost al households, including those from the perceived “stable and happy”, undergo the same harsh treatment. The “wallpaper” from which they get the instructions and guidelines on how they should lead their lives (Gilman 56). The yellow wallpaper is thus universal in homes and all women have to read it for the maintenance and retention of the male position.
The fact that women have to be watched and corrected every now and then by men are humiliating and disturbing. It is just like being in prison and having to bear the watchful and suppressive watch by the men (Foulcault 225). The men stand strategically and command the world of women. Their established panopticons gives them opportunities to see deep into the ways which they deem correct to be followed by the women. Foulcault depicts this tower as a control unit. It enables the prison warders to easily monitor the movements and the actions of the prisoners. Additionally, the prisoners cannot communicate among themselves. Similarly, women in Gilman’s view are not given enough room to exchange ideas even among themselves. This is a critical and most dehumanizing denial. Women’s growth and self-realization is brought to a halt (Gilman 67). They do not exchange ideas and thus has limited worldview that restraints them from escaping the male dominion.
Foulcault presents the monumental and authority related significance of the panopticon. It is first of all raised and thus provides an opportunity for a wider view. With the ability to see far and wide, one can be at a better position to extend influence and prevent oneself from possible retaliation. It is also a place where experiments are carried out on the prisoners to test on their adherence to regulation and rules (Foulcault 200). On the same idea, women are given no place to practice what they know. They have to listen and obey all the established rules and regulations set by the men. These regulations however tend to place them at a losing end. They make them secondary to men and thus helpless. They are like servants to the men. They have to look up for support and care from the uncaring men who are after their own interests and pleasures. Foulcault thus captures Gilman’s idea that men kill the dreams and aspiration of women before tampering fully with their destinies (Gilman 43). This comes out clearly when Foultcault uses the symbol of this tower to illustrate power and influence. The men have the capacity to take control over the women by placing themselves strategically and obstructing the growth of women. The panopticon increases the scope of one’s view and chance to wield excessive power over the subjects.
Foulcault exposes the key significance of the panopticon.

He argues that with the increasing number of people who are to be controlled in society, a tool that provide chances for the person watching over the rest to do so with ease is necessary (Foulcault 199). The panopticon is thus instrumental in ruling a large number of people at a go. Gilman’s argument also portrays men as busy individuals always seeking the most effective weapons to use against women. They have the intention of completely closing women from making any intrusion into their comfort zone. The results have also shown the extent of their brutality (Gilman 14). Women cannot speak out at will and are down trodden. They live under the mercies of men. Any attempt to counter their negativity is met with joint repulsion and hatred. The support men show on each of them is tremendous and Gilman is yearning to a time when women will be united to build their own

panopticon.
In conclusion, women still undergo many challenges even in our modern societies. These range from economic, mental, to emotional subjugation and torture. Their disunity and silence are part of the catalysts that provide the men with easy ascent up the panopticon. Gilman is however hopeful that society will come to realize the importance of women’s role and contributions to the wellbeing of the general society. Nevertheless, she is saddened by the reluctance of the women to take control over their destinies.