“The Yellow Wallpaper” (Charlotte Perkins Gilman)

“The Black Cat” (Edgar Allen Poe)

Similarities:

  • Both protagonists have engaged in actions contrary to societal expectations/norms.
  • Imagery and Symbolism are prominent techniques.
  • Interior monologues expressed by both protagonists.
  • Both protagonists acted specifically against their spouses.
  • Both protagonists utilized first person narration.
  • Both protagonists are externally perceived as a threat to society and capable of harming others.
  • Symbolic/allegorical creatures that behaved supernaturally. (The Fantastic)
  • Both characters experienced gothic emotions.

Differences:

  • “The Black Cat” protagonist glorified perversion to a greater extent.
  • “The Yellow Wallpaper” protagonist embraced perversion, but as a strategy to achieve redemption(verb) to set herself free by force.
  • “The Black Cat” protagonist is penalized for their wrongdoing (central Gothic irony) even though they had promoted societal deviation.
  • “The Yellow Wallpaper” protagonist had benefited from their embracing of perversion since the antagonistic husband had fainted and his authority was challenged.
  • “The Yellow Wallpaper” did not contain central Gothic irony.
  • “The Black Cat” contained gore and horror.
  • “The Yellow Wallpaper” encompassed terror because of the psychological aspect of the protagonist’s actions and hallucinations.
  • “The Black Cat” protagonist engaged in Gothic actions such as acting chaotic and acting violent beyond expectation.
  • Conclusion includes how the narrator similarities are notable and how the Gothic definitions applied to each story.