Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” was first published in the Forerunner, in 1913, and it aroused a lot of controversy among the readers. Those who read the story were totally confused and unable to understand the author’s intentions.
As Gilman writes in her essay Why I Wrote “The Yellow Wallpaper” : “[A] Boston physician made protest in the Transcript. Such a story ought not to be written, he said; it was enough to drive anyone mad to read it.” [Gilman 1913:1] Why was the doctor so affected by Gilman’s story? What was so extraordinary about it?
First of all, the story was written at the time when women’s roles were solely defined by men. At the beginning of the twentieth century, women were mainly supposed to be devoted to the needs of their families. As stated in The Changing Role of Womanhood: From True Woman to New Woman in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Deborah Thomas, men created:
(…) an ideological prison that subjected and silenced women. This ideology, called the Cult of True Womanhood, legitimized the victimization of women. The Cult of Domesticity and the Cult of Purity were the central tenets of the Cult of True Womanhood. [Thomas 1998 :1]
Women attempted to reject the traditional model of behaviour their fathers and husbands imposed on them. However, most of their endeavours were doomed to failure. Thomas quotes Welter who states that: “If anyone, male or female, dared to tamper with the complex virtues which made up True Womanhood, he was dammed immediately as the enemy of God, of civilization, and of the Republic.” [Ibid]
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Social Context of Gilman's Story
- The Contrast of Two Worlds
- The Yellow Wallpaper as a Symbol
- The New Woman and Her Aspirations
Objectives and Key Themes
The main objective of this analysis is to explore the portrayal of the "New Woman" in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," considering its historical and social context. The analysis examines the author's critique of societal constraints on women and her advocacy for female autonomy.
- The depiction of the "New Woman" and her struggle for self-expression.
- The contrast between traditional female roles and the aspirations of a modern woman.
- The symbolism of the yellow wallpaper and its representation of societal oppression.
- The critique of patriarchal structures and their impact on women's mental health.
- Gilman's feminist perspective and its influence on the story's narrative.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This section introduces Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" and its controversial reception upon publication in 1913. It highlights the immediate reaction of a Boston physician who deemed the story potentially detrimental to mental health, thereby setting the stage for an examination of the story's radical portrayal of female identity and societal constraints.
The Social Context of Gilman's Story: This chapter delves into the socio-historical context of the story, emphasizing the restrictive societal roles imposed upon women at the turn of the 20th century. It examines the "Cult of True Womanhood," an ideology that confined women to domesticity and silenced their ambitions. This chapter contextualizes the protagonist's plight by highlighting the limited options available to women and the societal pressures that led to their subjugation. The chapter further explores the futile attempts of women to challenge this traditional model of behaviour.
The Contrast of Two Worlds: This section analyzes the stark contrast presented in the story between the female world of emotions and intuition and the male world of logic, intellect, and dominance. The author explores the lack of understanding between the protagonist and her husband, John, a physician who dismisses her illness and restricts her creative expression. This analysis critically examines John's treatment of his wife and the limitations imposed on her, demonstrating the incompatibility between the two contrasting perspectives.
The Yellow Wallpaper as a Symbol: This chapter focuses on the symbolic significance of the yellow wallpaper, exploring its transformation from an object of dislike to a focal point of fascination and obsession for the protagonist. The analysis interprets the wallpaper as a representation of the protagonist's repressed self and the societal constraints that confine her. Different interpretations of the yellow color and its pattern are presented, highlighting the multifaceted nature of its symbolism and its connection to the protagonist's deteriorating mental state. The destruction of the wallpaper at the story's end symbolizes the protagonist's rebellion against these confining forces.
The New Woman and Her Aspirations: This chapter examines the concept of the "New Woman" as presented in Gilman's story. It connects the protagonist's experiences to Gilman's own feminist views and her advocacy for women's rights and self-determination. The analysis explores the protagonist's yearning for self-expression, intellectual stimulation, and autonomy, contrasting it with the traditional expectations of women during that era. This section delves into the protagonist's positive feminine qualities, highlighting the inherent contradictions within the societal expectations placed upon her and the consequences of suppressing her natural desires.
Keywords
New Woman, feminist literature, "The Yellow Wallpaper," Charlotte Perkins Gilman, gender roles, societal constraints, patriarchy, female autonomy, mental health, symbolism, repression.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper"
What is the purpose of this analysis of "The Yellow Wallpaper"?
This analysis explores the portrayal of the "New Woman" in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," examining its historical and social context. It investigates the author's critique of societal constraints on women and her advocacy for female autonomy.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the depiction of the "New Woman" and her struggle for self-expression; the contrast between traditional female roles and the aspirations of a modern woman; the symbolism of the yellow wallpaper and its representation of societal oppression; the critique of patriarchal structures and their impact on women's mental health; and Gilman's feminist perspective and its influence on the story's narrative.
What topics are covered in each chapter of the analysis?
The analysis includes an introduction to the story and its reception, a discussion of the social context of Gilman's story (including the "Cult of True Womanhood"), an examination of the contrast between the female and male worlds presented in the story, a detailed interpretation of the symbolism of the yellow wallpaper, and a discussion of the concept of the "New Woman" and her aspirations as presented in the story.
What is the significance of the yellow wallpaper as a symbol?
The yellow wallpaper is interpreted as a representation of the protagonist's repressed self and the societal constraints that confine her. Its transformation from an object of dislike to a focal point of obsession symbolizes the protagonist's deteriorating mental state and her eventual rebellion against these confining forces.
How does the analysis address the concept of the "New Woman"?
The analysis connects the protagonist's experiences to Gilman's own feminist views and advocacy for women's rights and self-determination. It explores the protagonist's yearning for self-expression, intellectual stimulation, and autonomy, contrasting it with the traditional expectations of women during that era.
What is the overall takeaway from this analysis?
The analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of "The Yellow Wallpaper" within its historical and social context, highlighting Gilman's powerful critique of patriarchal structures and her advocacy for female autonomy and self-expression.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include New Woman, feminist literature, "The Yellow Wallpaper," Charlotte Perkins Gilman, gender roles, societal constraints, patriarchy, female autonomy, mental health, and symbolism.
What is the Table of Contents of this analysis?
The analysis includes an Introduction; The Social Context of Gilman's Story; The Contrast of Two Worlds; The Yellow Wallpaper as a Symbol; and The New Woman and Her Aspirations.
- Citation du texte
- M.A. Anna Dabek (Auteur), 2008, The Portrait of a New Woman in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/284452
