The Yellow Wallpaper

A detailed Summary of The Yellow Wallpaper


The Yellow wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is an autobiographical story describing the turmoil she suffered after the birth of her first child. The story is filled with symbolism that describes different stages Charlotte went through while she struggled to overcome her postpartum depression.

Charlotte's husband John was a stereotypical man for this era. He believed that women were to be wives and mothers and nothing more. John diagnosed Charlotte with a "temporary nervous depression" and felt it would be in her best interest to take her to the country and isolate her from the excitement and change of her everyday life. The country mansion symbolized to Charlotte that it was not her own and it would never provide the security she craved and needed. In fact when Charlotte first saw the house she claimed "I will proudly declare that there is something queer about it." To Charlotte's mind, the country mansion could never become


The turning point for Charlotte was when her husband left for a business trip and she was again left alone. She saw this as her opportunity to transform her life by embracing her illness and taking charge to overcome her depression. Charlotte began to tear down the wallpaper as a symbol of her freeing herself of restrictions. Once the wallpaper was completely off the walls, she felt a new sense of accomplishment. She found her inner strength. She believed that John would be very proud of her. She "wanted to astonish him" with the fact that the wallpaper was not gone and she was beginning her recovery. John's reaction was with great surprise and he fainted at the sight of his wife creeping around the un-wallpapered room. Charlotte explained "I've got out at last" (p718), and she crawled over John's body as a symbol that he would never stand in her way again of a healthy life. She says "In spite of you...I've pulled off most of the

Some common words found in the essay are:
Perkins Gilman, , country mansion, yellow wallpaper,

Approximate Word count = 633
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

join now Save Paper

Related Essays

  • The Yellow Wallpaper The Analysis Essay Charlotte Perkins Gilmanamp39s ampquotThe Yellow Wallpaperampquot graphically depicts the treatment of a woman by a man in a way that expresses a universal ... 673 words
  • The Yellow Wallpaper ampquotThe Yellow Wallpaperampquot, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, is the story of a submissive wife whose husband pushes her from depression into insanity. ... 1176 words
  • Yellow wallpaper The Yellow wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman A repressive patriarchal society is successfully displayed in Charlotte Gilmanamp39s ampquotThe Yellow Wallpaper.ampquot170 ... 1594 words
  • Yellow Wallpaper 5 In the short story ampquotThe Yellow Wallpaperampquot written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman we enter a story that is a cry for freedom. This story ... 1403 words
  • Yellow Wallpaper Comparison and Contrast ampquotThe Yellow Wallpaperampquot and ampquotA Rose for Emilyampquot In ampquotThe Yellow Wallpaper,ampquot by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the relationship between an ... 1001 words
  • The Yellow Wallpaper 6 The Yellow Wallpaperampquot In ampquotThe Yellow Wallpaperampquot by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the narrator becomes more depressed throughout the story due to the recommendation ... 711 words

Professional Essays

  • The Yellow Wallpaper ... In this way, men ensured the passivity and docility of women, and the medical professions godlike attitude in The Yellow Wallpaper demonstrates this arrogant ... 1409 words
  • Yellow Wallpaper CHARLOTTE PERKINS GILMAN The Yellow Wallpaper Charlotte Perkins Gilmans The Yellow Wallpaper is partly autobiographical and it illustrates the fight for ... 1739 words
  • The Yellow Wallpaper CHARLOTTE PERKINS GILMAN The Yellow Wallpaper Intelligent writers often ridiculed, thought crazy because of their convictions, and oppressed by society come to ... 589 words
  • Positive Analysis of The Yellow Wallpaper The Yellow Wallpaper The short story is one of the most enjoyable and underrated genres in literature. It is fast and easy to read ... 591 words
  • ampquotThe Yellow Wallpaperampquot The short story ampquotThe Yellow Wallpaperampquot by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a representation of a deteriorating mind. The protagonist ... 1687 words
  • The Yellow Wallpaper The Yellow Wallpaper Introduction Feminist criticism offered by Charlotte Perkins Gilmans Women and Economics seeks to correct or supplement what they ... 1532 words


Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

  • "Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
    Jack M.
  • "With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
    Brian P.
  • "I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
    Sara J.
  • "I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
    Rachel W.
  • "I love this site!!!"
    Marie N.
Home Join Now Support
Acceptable Use Policy About us FAQ
All papers are for research and reference purposes only!
© 2002-2009 DirectEssays.com. All Rights Reserved.