Yellow Wallpaper Mental Illness

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Recommended: The portrayal of women in 19th century literature

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s, “The Yellow Wallpaper” first published in 1891, is a story of discrimination in mental health and avoid of been heard, understood and acknowledged. This short story commences with the introduction of a married woman whom along wither her family vacates a rental home for the summer at a somewhat abandoned house in the country, in order to recover from what her husband and doctor, named John describes as a “temporary nervous depression - a slight hysterical tendency.” A mental illness referred to as hysteria in the late 19th century; an illness that was frowned upon by society of individuals of high standing; referred to in the 21st century as a state of depression. John seemingly loving and caring of his wife …show more content…

The narrator identifies her frustration; nonetheless, attributes her frustrations but succumbs to her “nervous condition.” It gives the impression however, that recognizing this course of treatment would cause her to remain in an incipient state of insanity. But realizes that “it does weigh on one so not to do no duty in any way.” However, she cannot come to bring herself to argument and submits to her husband’s demands. During her time in solitude she passes her time in her room observing the hideous wallpaper; although, she would have preferred to be in a much colorful room with beautiful foliage just out the window rather a tedium room that offered only further anguish. Both her motivation and rebellious actions turn to her imagination onto seemingly disinterested objects of the home and the wallpaper in an attempt to ignore her rising hindrance; as well as, documents her thoughts in a secret diary kept from her …show more content…

He does not see or relates to the struggle she felt. The relationship laces the loving and caring aspect in a marriage. He is often gone all day and for long periods of time leaving his ill wife at home with his sister-in-law watching over her. Jennie who attended to her needs seem to not interact with her. She exemplified the perfect woman of the 19th century era where they were likely to be submissive to their husbands and who “hopes for no better profession.” The woman was too being seen but not

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