The Yellow Wallpaper

“Personally I disagree… Personally, I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good. But what is one to do?”. The statement shows that the married couple’s relationship lack communication. This statement shows her opinions doesn’t count when she says “what is one to do?” She has completely accepted John’s method of rest as the cure. John’s wife listen to whatever he says.

“Blessed little goose”. This is another quotation from the story that presents the married couple’s relationship. This statement shows that john treats his wife like a child. He even insist that she sleeps in the nursery. He believes her sleeping in the nursery is a way to monitor her condition at night.

“John has cautioned me not to give way to fancy”. This quotation also presents the married couple’s relationship. When she tires to tell him that his rest treatment is not working, he simply ignores her feelings. He didn’t want his wife to think much because he would loose control over her.

After reading “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman I came to an understanding that John is not only overbearing but he also ignores his wife’s opinions. Although he presents himself towards his wife as sweet and caring, he is actually a controlling person. His wife is suffering from depression but he believes it is just a “slight hysterical tendency”. His method of curing his wife actually limits her social activities as well as deny her access to things that make her happy such as writing. He orders her to stay in bed all day and do absolutely nothing. He forbids her to do any sort of work, even to write. His manipulative actions is the reason his wife feel inferior and afraid to voice her opinions.

1 thought on “The Yellow Wallpaper

  1. I agree totally with your statement. This story kind if makes me wonder if she is actually in a facility and using the house as a metaphor. You brought so e great points to life , John, seemed to me, more like a facilitator than a husband.

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