Theme Of The Yellow Wallpaper And The Story Of An Hour

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The two stories "The Yellow Wallpaper", by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and "The Story of an Hour", by Kate Chopin, have common themes that are related specifically to the role of women within their families, and within society as a whole. Both women suffer from ailments, one mental and the other physical, who are very emotionally detached from their husbands. This is mainly the reason why the two female main characters of each story share a number of character traits that, together, send out a universal message: women were grossly misunderstood and mistreated by society. “The Yellow Wallpaper" is an 1892 short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman about a woman 's postpartum depression and her response to her husband 's ministrations. The subjugation of woman to man is the most significant point in the story. In "The Yellow Wallpaper" we witness the unnamed female narrator, a woman who has just had a child, shows evidence of post-partum blues. Rather than being tendered to be supported, the men of her family prefer to give a "rest cure" to the woman which has done more harm than good. All this, merely …show more content…

Mrs. Louise Mallard has a "weak" heart. In Louise 's case, a reader also can see the disenfranchised woman who was not able to guide her own life due to the social constraints of a male-dominated society. Louise 's reaction to her husband 's death was shocking even to herself. As she is told the news, Louise goes to her room to be alone. The fact that "she would have no one follow her" could possible symbolize the beginning of her acceptance and understanding that "she would live for herself." She wanted to be alone in order to allow her emotions to react freely to the news of her husband 's death. This clearly shows that the protagonist can’t allow herself to show her emotions in public. She’s scared of being

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