Querulous – Adjective
Definition: complaining in a petulant or whining manner (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/querulous)
From “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Page 5 – 9th paragraph – “I don’t feel as if it was worthwhile to turn my hand over for anything, and I’m getting dreadfully fretful and querulous.”
In this sentence, querulous indicates that, the person is getting extremely distressed, becoming more like a complainer and grouchy.
I don’t see how the definition makes her seem grouchy. You might need to also look up petulant to understand the definition better.
Ultimately, what do you understand about the character’s situation, and how is it significant?
Petulant: having or showing the attitude of people who become angry and annoyed when they do not get what they want. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petulant)
Querulous: complaining in an annoyed way. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/querulous?show=0&t=1392084277)
I thought this meant of her being grouchy at the same time, so I guess not. Being grouchy would be actually showing an attitude of it then.
The significance of it is that she feels overwhelmed and she says how she cries most of the time for nothing. She feels distressed and doesn’t feel worthwhile to go ahead and do something about things.