The Yellow Wallpaper Short Story Essay Example

reinforces traditional gender roles.

It can be inferred that John's unawareness of the speaker's emotions is indicative of his unawareness of a woman's position in society. The speaker's duty to conform to John's commands is also evident, as she repeats his guidance with great accuracy, though her tone implies disregard for its significance. The way in which she repeats his words reinforces this idea, as it appears she is unintentionally copying his advice. Perhaps John finds the speaker's writing ludicrous because it highlights her suppression and compels him to confront her discontent.

Alternatively, the narrator could view the wallpaper as a reflection of her illness and feel resentful that it serves as a daily reminder of her mental health struggles. The narrator may also feel frustrated by societal limitations that prevent her from fully overcoming her sickness, which may be more mentally and emotionally rooted rather than purely physical. The narrator finds solace in writing, which allows her to gain a sense of control over her circumstance by providing an outlet for her emotions. Consequently, the color of the wallpaper may be symbolic of the narrator's current emotional state.

John considers the narrator's statement, "It is such a relief," absurd, exposing the communication gap in their relationship. She feels repressed, as evidenced by her remark, "of course I never mention it to them anymore," indicating her inability to share her thoughts with a loved one. John's disinterest and lack of empathy further magnify his control over her, making her feel insignificant. It's no surprise that the protagonist struggles to become an independent woman as she is treated this way, possibly even before falling ill. The reader questions whether

the husband or her own frustration is causing her to be held captive in her room, denying her basic human rights.

Despite initially placing her faith in her husband John's advice and calling him "dear John," the narrator's opinions towards him appear contradictory. While sympathetic towards her condition and appreciative of John's caring and sympathetic character, she later portrays him as keeping her against her will, indicating that her perception of him has altered. Despite attempting to have an earnest talk with him, she seems to have been unable to reach a resolution.

The text provides insight into the narrator's condition as she appears to be restricted from leaving but does not fully comprehend why. The narrator's mixed feelings towards her husband and his control may be attributed to her illness, emphasizing that it is a mental illness. Although she initially dislikes the color and pattern of the wallpaper, her language suggests that it holds a deeper significance. The narrator observes "dim shapes" behind the outside pattern of the paper and even sees a "woman stooping down."

According to the text, the woman behind the paper symbolizes a woman who is limited and trapped, reflecting the same feelings the narrator experiences as a female. The narrator yearns for freedom and wishes her husband John would rescue her from her confinement, while also acknowledging her dependence on him. She admits to feeling weak and repressed due to societal expectations placed on women during the era. Gilman appears to be making a commentary on how women were treated during this time period.

The narrator's writing reveals her acceptance of her husband's influence and control over her. The story is

set in the late 19th century, during the feminist movement's push for women's rights. Despite this, the speaker's mental decline provides her with a form of escape from her husband's control. Ironically, giving into her illness allows her to ultimately triumph over him. With extensive punctuation and short sentences, the piece feels like a stream-of-consciousness, possibly reflecting the narrator's current emotions rather than a deliberate expression of thought. This may also be due to her husband claiming her illness is causing her feelings.

When discussing seeing her cousin, the speaker's sentences become smoother and more organized. However, when the topic shifts to something unrelated, she can momentarily forget her current situation and focus on a more positive subject. Unfortunately, John goes to great lengths to quash her optimism and make it clear that she will not be able to go on such an outing, enforcing his traditional masculine role and limiting what his wife can do.