Compare and Contrast the Roles of Gender in The Yellow Wallpaper Essay Example

the accepted social status, striving for equality with men and white individuals. Particularly, the character Percola idolizes the ideal depiction of a flawless female and is willing to go to any lengths to achieve that ideal and gain acceptance within society.

Percola, unlike Jane, is constantly striving for perfection and a higher social status. She has a deep fondness for the Shirley Temple cup and takes any opportunity to drink milk from it. Holding and seeing the lovely face of sweet Shirley brings her joy. Despite knowing that it is impossible for someone of her race and current position to achieve such a feat, she continues to pursue this unattainable goal. This relentless pursuit causes Percola to lose touch with reality. However, her only desire is to surrender, unlike Jane who wishes to defy societal norms.

Percola also establishes a distinct identity and interacts with it, finding the acceptance she has always desired. "You are my best friend. Why didn't I know you before?" "You didn't need me before." Society not only imposes norms and values on women for societal acceptance but also places similar expectations on men. In "The Yellow Wallpaper," John conforms to the male role of being the provider, devoting his entire day to work, reflecting the ideal masculinity. He is often away during the day, and sometimes even at night for severe cases.

In accordance with societal dictates, John is a practical physician who believes Jane's condition is nothing more than a "slight hysterical tendency." As a result, he prescribes her the rest cure, confining her to the nursery and depriving her of intellectual pursuits that may be viewed as creative. He treats her

in a childlike manner as part of his practical approach.

Despite the fact that John continuously addresses her as his "little girl" and "blessed little goose" and disregards Jane's attempts to communicate her unhappiness with the current situation, denying her any acceptance as an equal as society demands, and instead simply carrying her off to bed for more rest, it is evident that John, in his role as both a husband and a doctor, is committed to his love and care for his wife and is acting in accordance with what he believes is best for her. However, it is precisely this reason that is driving Jane to the brink of insanity.

In The Bluest Eye, the role of men in society as providers and workers is portrayed as socially acceptable. However, Cholly, who is Percola's father, does not meet these expectations and is instead seen as an outcast with degrading qualities. He is incapable of supporting his family, which leads to the burning down of their house and physical abuse towards his wife. Cholly's inability to meet societal standards can be attributed to his past experiences of being abandoned as a baby and enduring humiliation at the hands of white men.

He is a man with a propensity for violence, yet he is also susceptible, which is evident when he defecates himself after encountering his father. When his freedom transforms into a complete disinterest in life, he crumbles, and he reaches out to his daughter as a reminder of his existence. Cholly's inability to find solace through conventional means contributes to Percola's descent into extreme circumstances. Both writings depict the gender stereotypes of women and men in

distinct manners, but social acceptance and the struggle to conform underlie both narratives.