The thesis by W.E.B. DuBois, "The Souls of Black Folk" and the short story "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, share their theme as a common trait. Both works deal with the topic of oppression, albeit from different points of view, but they do expose the conflict of how people become oppressed by others.

The main argument in DuBois's story is that the black race should not just take the passive way in order to become respected and valued by society. Strongly against the policies of Booker T. Washington, DuBois is partial to a more active role, where black people can seek their equality by any means necessary and not just through

“…submission and silence as to civil and political rights.”

Gilman's story is about a fictional woman who is suffering from what seems to be post-partum depression. The time in history where the story takes place is one where these types of illnesses are merely considered "hysterics", and are not considered important enough. 

In a male-dominated society, the life of the main character in "The Yellow Wallpaper" is entirely dependent on her husband, as well as on the doctor who prescribes her isolated treatment. Meanwhile, her brain gets the best of her creating hallucinations connected to her current state of affairs: the notion that there is a woman trapped insider of the yellow wallpaper that covers her sad room, and who is fighting to become liberated. Clearly, the woman feels subjugated and trapped by the men who "call the shots" in all aspects of a woman's life. Like in WEB DuBois's argument, she too wishes that she could speak out and become free.

Although both works are entirely different in terms of genre, narrative style, author's purpose, and use of literary devices, the thematic element of both works bring them together: the struggle against humans oppressing each other, and the need to find a voice within adversity.