Gilman in “The Yellow Wallpaper” states in one of the story passages that “there are things in that paper that nobody knows but me, or ever will” p.63. The yellow wallpaper is just a tangible object. But the narrator sees it differently and senses it in a different manner that we do. I believe that the narrator sees it as a symbol, a symbol of life and energy. That’s what the color yellow usually refers to. Overall Gilman was trying to show the horror in a way that mental illness was treated at the time. While reading the story and getting to this passage I can feel this horror of this patient with mental illness treated as a child.
The narrator expressions are strongly related to the desire of her being outside, being somewhere besides that place. As the author mentions ” I am getting angry enough to do something desperate. To jump out of the window would be admirable exercise, but the bars are too strong even to try.” p.69. All this energy that the narrator has, turned into anger and depression. I believe the reason is women were mistreated that time especially the ones with disabilities such as mental illnesses. According to the story, women had a limited role and small things to do which makes their interference with the society very little.
In the story, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the narrator feels trapped. She sees herself in the yellow wallpaper that she hated so much. Her husband appears to be very patient with her and trying to help her overcome her depression by taking her to the country. His insistence for her to stay in the room with the yellow wallpaper only worsen her depression and made her delusional. Her husband was too controlling and did not listen to her opinions on things that would be better for her. Moving her to a room she liked and allowing her to write would help her overcome her depression.