The question that characterizes the beginning of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story "The Yellow Wallpaper" (1892) is one that many women in the nineteenth and twentieth century will likely have posed to themselves. “What is one to do?” Gilman’s narrator asks repeatedly, when, as a woman in the late nineteenth century, one has no choice but to assume the role of the helpless wife and mother under the oppression of male authority. The Yellow Wallpaper challenges this stereotypical image of womanhood as well as the unequal relationships between women and men that come along with a male dominated society and its ideology of “masculine rationality vs. feminine irrationality” (Rodriguez Salas 2012).
As a result of being diagnosed with, what was then called, “nervous prostration” – generally regarded as hysteria – and prescribed the “rest cure” (Gilman 1935), Gilman also explores and brings to light the problematic views on and treatment of mental health in the nineteenth and twentieth century. At the time, hysteria was primarily associated with passivity, the result of leading a “softer life” and having an overactive imagination – all stereotypically feminine behaviours – and was thus diagnosed primarily in women (Kahane 1995: 10). In her autobiography Gilman talks about how she was not allowed to write, paint or have more than “two hours’ intellectual life a day” and how she was supposed to “live as domestic a life as possible” (Gilman 1935), all of which are elements that are closely reflected in the protagonist’s diagnosis in The Yellow Wallpaper.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Analysis of the gender dynamics in The Yellow Wallpaper
- 2.1. Gender stereotypes and the inequality within the protagonist's marriage
- 2.2. The protagonist's growing resentment towards her husband
- 2.3. Symbolism of the nursery and the yellow wallpaper
- 2.4. The woman in the wallpaper and the significance of “Jane”
- 3. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to examine the gender dynamics and hierarchies prevalent in the 19th century, and their continued relevance today, through a feminist and gender-critical reading of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper." The analysis focuses on the protagonist's experience and her development within a patriarchal society.
- Gender stereotypes and their impact on women's mental and physical health
- Power imbalances and inequalities within marriage
- The restrictive societal expectations placed upon women in the 19th century
- The critique of the "rest cure" and its implications for women's mental health
- The use of symbolism and imagery to convey the protagonist's internal struggles
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" and its central question: "What is one to do?" when faced with the limited options available to women in the late 19th century. The chapter establishes the context of the story, highlighting the societal pressures and medical practices that shaped women's lives. It emphasizes the stereotypical image of womanhood and the unequal relationships within a male-dominated society, referencing the concept of "masculine rationality vs. feminine irrationality." The introduction also notes the problematic views on and treatment of mental health at the time, particularly the diagnosis of "hysteria" and the "rest cure," which often restricted women's intellectual and creative pursuits, mirroring the protagonist's experiences. Finally, the introduction positions the paper's feminist and gender-critical approach as essential for understanding the story's enduring significance.
2. Analysis of the gender dynamics in The Yellow Wallpaper: This chapter delves into the complex gender dynamics depicted in Gilman's story. It examines the power imbalance within the protagonist's marriage, focusing on her husband's dismissal of her concerns and her acceptance of societal gender roles, despite her internal dissent. The chapter analyzes how the protagonist's growing resentment towards her husband stems from his infantilization of her and his dismissive attitude towards her mental health concerns. The chapter connects these dynamics to the prevailing medical understanding and treatment of women's mental illnesses during that era. It highlights the protagonist's use of a secret diary as a means of expressing her suppressed thoughts and feelings, further emphasizing the constraints imposed upon her by the patriarchal structure of her marriage and society.
Keywords
The Yellow Wallpaper, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, feminism, gender studies, 19th-century gender roles, patriarchal society, mental health, hysteria, the rest cure, power imbalance, marriage, symbolism, female oppression, women's liberation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Gender Dynamics in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper"
What is the overall purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic paper analyzing the gender dynamics in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper." It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, offering a structured overview of the paper's content and argument.
What are the main themes explored in the analysis of "The Yellow Wallpaper"?
The analysis focuses on several key themes, including gender stereotypes and their impact on women's health, power imbalances within marriage, restrictive societal expectations on 19th-century women, critique of the "rest cure," and the use of symbolism to convey the protagonist's internal struggles. The paper utilizes a feminist and gender-critical lens to examine these themes.
What is the scope of the analysis regarding gender dynamics in the story?
The analysis delves into the power imbalance in the protagonist's marriage, exploring her husband's dismissal of her concerns and her internal conflict with societal gender roles. It examines her growing resentment towards her husband, linking this to his infantilization of her and his disregard for her mental health. The analysis connects these dynamics to the medical understanding and treatment of women's mental illnesses during the 19th century.
How does the analysis interpret the symbolism within "The Yellow Wallpaper"?
The analysis examines the symbolism of key elements within the story, such as the nursery and the yellow wallpaper itself, exploring how these symbolic elements contribute to the portrayal of the protagonist's internal struggles and oppression within a patriarchal society. The significance of the "woman in the wallpaper" and the name "Jane" are also likely discussed.
What is the significance of the "rest cure" in the context of the analysis?
The analysis critically examines the "rest cure" as a medical practice of the time, highlighting its implications for women's mental health and its role in restricting women's intellectual and creative pursuits. The analysis likely connects this to the protagonist's experiences and her confinement within the narrative.
What is the methodology employed in this analysis of "The Yellow Wallpaper"?
The analysis employs a feminist and gender-critical approach, examining the story through the lens of gender inequality and patriarchal power structures prevalent in the 19th century. This approach allows for an understanding of the story's enduring relevance to contemporary discussions about gender and mental health.
What are the key chapters and their respective content?
The paper includes an introduction that sets the context, establishes the central question of the story, and outlines the societal pressures and medical practices affecting women at the time. The main chapter delves into the analysis of gender dynamics, exploring the power imbalance within the marriage and the protagonist's internal struggles. A conclusion chapter synthesizes the findings.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Key terms include: The Yellow Wallpaper, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, feminism, gender studies, 19th-century gender roles, patriarchal society, mental health, hysteria, the rest cure, power imbalance, marriage, symbolism, female oppression, and women's liberation.
- Quote paper
- Sophia Daffner (Author), 2018, Women Uniting to Defeat Patriarchy. A Feminist and Gender Critical Reading of "The Yellow Wallpaper", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/453220
