- According to one examination of āThe Yellow Wall-Paperā and its publication history, the story did remain in print in between its reprint in 1920 and its feminist re-discovery in the 1970sāin horror story collections. In what ways do you see āThe Yellow Wall-Paperā as a horror story? Include specific references to the text to support your claims.
I believe the most terrifying type of horror movie isn’t the one with monsters, aliens or a lot of blood; it’s the one with a character who loses his/her mind. That is perhaps because I do have the fear of losing control over my conscious one day. The main character in “The Yellow Wall-Paper” goes through some hallucinogenic situations– which later in the piece become more evident– Ā that I have no doubt could be featured in a horror story. Examples are “I think that woman gets out in the daytime!Ā And I’ll tell you why–privately–I’ve seen her!Ā I can see her out of every one of my windows!”;Ā “I don’t like toĀ lookĀ out of the windows even– there are so many of those creeping women, and they creep so fast.”; ”Ā I’ve got a rope up here that even Jennie did not find. If that woman does get out, and tries to get away, I can tie her!”. She narrates her experience dealing with women who come out of the wall-paper in her room.
Also, the setting is terrifying: windows with bars, decadent state of walls, bed nailed down to the floor. Interesting is how the main character doesn’t seem to mind it that much, and focuses on the wall-paper as a form of escapism.
These are some great moments to highlight. What else would you focus on if you were turning this short story into a horror film? Anyone is welcome to reply. I can think of some scenes that would be especially powerful in conveying a sense of horror, or at least something eerie and off-putting.