Peeling Away the Layers
The Yellow Wallpaper illustrates the narrator's plight in the Victorian era. The main character, the narrator, is a woman suffering from depression in a time when women were totally dependent on men, and often dismissed as being nervous and hysterical females. The inability of women to become active persons in their own lives as well as, society's decision making processes being dominated by men, contributed to the narrator's malaise. The story is told from the female perspective, a depressed woman struggling to survive. The story takes place at a summer vacation home, where the narrator's husband, a physician treats her depression in a condescending manner. He either placates her, or dismisses her feelings, typical of the Victorian era: "If a physician of high standing, and ones own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression-a slight hysterical tendency-what is one to do?" (658). This is an example of her oppressed female status in the existing society, as well as, in her own life. Other dominant males in her life also hold the same opinion: "My brother is also a physician, and also of high standings, and he says the same thing."(658). Again, th
Isolation takes its toll and she becomes obsessed with the wallpaper in her room. After disliking the wallpaper intensely, she begins to find it interesting and starts to spend all of her time studying it. She is a very creative person and without the creative outlet, she finds other areas for her mind to work: "I am getting really fond of the room in spite of the wallpaper. Perhaps because of the wallpaper."(662). The narrator has found a way to keep herself busy in a room with barely anything. She analyzes the wall paper to keep her mind active: "There are things in that paper that nobody knows but me, or ever will. Behind that outside pattern the dim shapes get clearer every day. It is always the same shape, only very numerous. It is like a woman stooping down and creeping about behind the pattern."(663). Her depression has forced her to look at herself, to discover the natural woman within her. What she found was a system that, "strangles them off and turns them upside down, and makes their eyes white."(666). She has discovered that she cannot go back. She has gotten out, "in spite of you and Jane! And I've pulled off most of the paper, so you can't put me back!"(669). There is a very funny mark on this wall, low down, near the mopboard. A streak that runs around the room. It goes behind every piece of furniture, except the bed, a long straight, even smooch, as if it has been rubbed over and over. I wonder how it was done and who did it, and what they did it for. Round and round and round - round and round and round - it makes me dizzy!"(666). The cause of her depression may be attributed to what we now call post - partom - depression. There were some references to her recently having a baby: " It is fortunate that Mary is so good with the baby. Such a dear baby! And yet I cannot be with him, it makes me so nervous."(660). Compounding the depression was the application by her physician-husband of a "rest-cure". Further compounding the depression, the "rest-cure" causes her to become increasingly introspective. The only outlet the narrator seems to have is her writing. However her husband does not approve of it, this too is a contributing factor to her depression. She
Some common words found in the essay are:
Yellow Wallpaper, Jane I've, round round, round round round, woman wallpaper, day day, compounding depression, wall paper, victorian era,
Approximate Word count = 1503
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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