The Yellow Wallpaper Argumentative Essay Example

This lack of validation is a common experience for women who were not taken seriously for what they said or believed (Source: http://thinkers.com/quotes/Charlotte_Perkins_Gillian/3.html). Due to mental illness being primarily an emotional pattern, her husband lacked true comprehension and empathy for it. Consequently, he imprisoned and suppressed her while denying any form of self-expression or creativity that could have potentially helped her.John's treatment of Jane led to her severe depression and loss of sanity. He prohibited social interactions, outings, and intellectually stimulating activities for her. However, the only solace she found was in expressing herself through writing. John treated her like a child, reflecting the prevailing belief that women and children had similar mental capacities. The room being used as a nursery further symbolized Jane's disdain for it. Throughout the story, John referred to Jane as his "little girl," highlighting his low opinion of women in general. According to Charlotte Perkins Gilman, blindly following old doctrines or new propaganda is a weakness still prevalent in society (Gillian). In the beginning, Jane obediently followed her husband's demands but found comfort in secret writing where she expressed her true emotions.The noteworthy aspect is that only after Jane thoroughly examined the wallpaper did she begin to assert control over her own life. The wallpaper served as a reflection of Jane's oppressive relationship with John, leading her to despise him and ultimately seek independence. From the beginning, Jane found the pattern on the wallpaper repulsive due to its numerous artistic flaws. Her fixation on the pattern and its significance grew as the story progressed. She became haunted by its yellow smell, which clung to her clothes like a toxic substance,

and started seeing it everywhere. This obsession symbolized Jane's realization that both the paper and patriarchal society were inescapable aspects of her life, illustrating her disgustingly unhealthy relationship with John. Gradually and unknowingly, she connected the wallpaper with John, understanding they were one and the same. Despite John expressing that Jane was improving "despite" the wallpaper, she disagreed secretly believing that her improvement was actually because of it. She feared disclosing this to John as he might want to take her away. The wallpaper represents Jane's growing understanding of her life with John and the reasons for her depression. The pivotal moment occurs when Jane starts perceiving a woman trapped behind the pattern of the wallpaper in the storyThe woman attempts to escape by shaking the paper, but Jane also observes her sneaky and secretive movements. This woman represents Jane's feeling of being restricted and her longing to challenge societal norms. Jane yearns to behave like the woman hiding behind the wallpaper, but only allows herself to do so where there are no witnesses. Over time, Jane starts breaking free from her traditional role by lying and concealing things from her husband more often, without as much guilt as before. It is clear that John is aware of how he negatively affects Jane's well-being. He desires her submissiveness and passivity because he believes women should be that way, even if it leads to her illness. At one point in the story, Jane realizes that the paper acknowledges its harmful impact when she sees herself in it and understands that her husband is the one restraining her. She describes John saying, "He asks me all sorts

of questions, pretending to be loving and kind. Like I can't see through him!" (13). Charlotte Perkins Gillian once said,"To achieve happiness in another world, all we need is belief; while in this world, we must take action" (Gillian).

Towards the end of the story, Jane becomes more proactive in fighting against John.
Despite the difficulty and exertion, Jane started tearing at the wallpaper, ripping it off the walls because "it sticks horribly and the pattern Just enjoys it!". This desperate act represents her attempt to break free from societal norms and patriarchy's oppressive control. Removing most of the wallpaper, she found that she enjoyed the room more with bare walls. Referring to herself as the liberated woman behind the wallpaper, Jane triumphs in her battle against John. She explains, "I want to astonish him," reveling in her freedom from his dominance and patriarchy. She expresses delight in freely roaming in the spacious room as she pleases, indicating her clear victory. However, this accomplishment comes at a cost – her mental stability. Even though she achieved liberation by pulling off most of the paper so she can't be put back, she completely loses her sanity. Her success in shocking John is evident as he faints at the story's end while Jane continues to creep over him every time she walks along her path in the room.
Her consistent "creeping" conveys her firm rejection of societal norms by descending into insanity indirectly challenging these normsThe protagonist is now free from the pressure to conform and can defy societal expectations. Being labeled as insane and non-conformist allows her to resist any demands placed upon her, whether in terms of actions,

emotions, behaviors, or speech. "The Yellow Wallpaper" not only presents a dark depiction of women's lives in the late 1800s but also examines authority and suppression in society, which still persist today. It argues that one should not be driven to literal madness when rebelling against perceived societal roles.