THE WALLPAPER SHORT STORY

The Wallpaper Short Story: A Deep Dive

This refers to Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s seminal short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” a work of American feminist literature often analyzed for its exploration of mental health, the constraints placed upon women in the late 19th century, and the oppressive nature of societal expectations.

Summary and Core Themes

The story is written as a series of journal entries by a woman (whose name is never explicitly stated) who is suffering from a temporary nervous depression and is prescribed complete rest by her physician husband, John. They spend the summer in an old colonial mansion, and the narrator is confined to a room with hideous yellow wallpaper. As she spends increasing amounts of time in the room, she becomes obsessed with the wallpaper, analyzing its patterns and eventually believing that there is a woman trapped behind it.

The core themes of “The Yellow Wallpaper” revolve around:

• Mental Illness and Treatment: The story critiques the medical practices of the time, particularly the “rest cure,” which is depicted as isolating and ultimately detrimental to the narrator’s mental state.
• Patriarchal Oppression: John, the narrator’s husband and physician, embodies the patriarchal control that silences and diminishes women. He dismisses her feelings and intellect, denying her the intellectual stimulation she craves.
• Loss of Identity: The narrator’s confinement and lack of intellectual freedom contribute to her gradual erosion of identity. She becomes increasingly detached from reality as she fixates on the wallpaper.
• Creativity and Self-Expression: The narrator’s desire to write is suppressed by John, hindering her ability to process her emotions and contributing to her mental decline. The forbidden act of writing in secret becomes a desperate attempt to maintain some semblance of agency.
• The Dangers of Confinement: The physical confinement to the room mirrors the societal confinement of women within domestic roles. The wallpaper symbolizes the complex and restrictive social structures that imprison women.

Characters

• The Narrator: The protagonist of the story, whose mental state deteriorates throughout the narrative. She is intelligent and insightful, but her voice is suppressed by her husband and society.
• John: The narrator’s husband and physician. He represents the paternalistic and controlling male figure of the late 19th century. He is well-intentioned but ultimately harmful to his wife’s mental health.
• Jennie: John’s sister, who acts as a housekeeper. She represents a more traditional woman who accepts the societal roles assigned to her. She assists John in controlling the narrator.
• The Woman Behind the Wallpaper: The figure that the narrator eventually identifies with, representing the oppressed and trapped woman behind the constraints of societal expectations.

Symbolism

• The Yellow Wallpaper: The central symbol of the story, representing the oppressive societal structures and the narrator’s own deteriorating mental state. Its chaotic and grotesque patterns mirror her fragmented thoughts and feelings.
• The Room: Represents the confinement and isolation experienced by women in the 19th century. Its barred windows and torn wallpaper suggest a history of imprisonment and struggle.
• The Rest Cure: Symbolizes the inadequate and harmful medical treatments prescribed to women suffering from mental illness.
• Writing: Represents the narrator’s desire for self-expression and intellectual freedom. The act of writing in secret becomes a form of rebellion against John’s control.

Impact and Legacy

“The Yellow Wallpaper” is considered a groundbreaking work of feminist literature. It brought attention to the plight of women struggling with mental illness and the oppressive nature of patriarchal society. The story continues to resonate with readers today, prompting discussions about mental health, gender roles, and the importance of self-expression. It has been widely anthologized and studied in literature and women’s studies courses, cementing its place as a significant and enduring work.