Themes: Role of Women
"The Yellow Wallpaper" delves into the position of women in 19th-century American society, highlighting the dynamics of marriage, women's economic and social dependence on men, and the suppression of female identity and sexuality. The Victorian era heavily shaped social norms in the United States, stressing that women should behave modestly and remain within the domestic sphere. After the birth of her son, the protagonist suffers from postpartum depression and is advised by her husband and brother to undergo complete bed rest, despite her yearning to write and read. Although she secretly maintains a journal, it is evident that her husband has the final authority, and her only expected roles are to be a compliant wife and a proficient mother. John frequently treats her like a child, referring to her as his "little girl" and his "blessed little goose." When the narrator engages in a "real earnest reasonable talk" with John, requesting to visit relatives, he refuses her request.
Expert Q&A
The Yellow Wallpaper: Narrator's Complex Relationship with Husband and Historical Context
In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the narrator's relationship with her husband, John, is marked by patriarchal dominance and lack of understanding. John, a physician, dismisses his wife's mental illness as "temporary nervous depression" and imposes a "rest cure," confining her to a room with disturbing yellow wallpaper. His condescending treatment, infantilizing her and ignoring her needs, exacerbates her condition. The narrator's anger and frustration stem from John's refusal to acknowledge her autonomy and opinions, ultimately leading to her mental breakdown.
Why did the protagonist's husband keep her locked in the room in "The Yellow Wallpaper"?
The protagonist's husband, John, does not physically lock her in the room but metaphorically confines her by restricting her activities and choices, believing she suffers from depression. As a physician, he decides she needs less stimulation and stress, denying her work and social interactions. Despite her requests, he refuses to change her room's wallpaper, further isolating her. This emotional confinement leads her to fixate on the wallpaper, symbolizing her entrapment.
What does the bedroom choice suggest about the narrator's relationship with her husband?
The bedroom choice highlights the oppressive nature of the narrator's relationship with her husband, John. Despite her preference for a room with roses and chintz hangings, John insists on a former nursery with barred windows and unpleasant wallpaper, disregarding her desires. His refusal to change the wallpaper and condescending attitude, calling her a "blessed little goose," reflect his dominance and insensitivity, contributing to her mental deterioration.
Marriage in "The Yellow Wallpaper."
In "The Yellow Wallpaper," marriage is depicted as a restrictive and controlling institution. The protagonist's husband, John, exercises authoritative control over her, dismissing her opinions and confining her to a room under the guise of treatment. This dynamic reflects the broader societal norms of the time, where women were often subjugated and their autonomy severely limited within marriage.
John's Role in Wife's Madness in "The Yellow Wallpaper"
In "The Yellow Wallpaper," John's actions significantly contribute to his wife's mental deterioration. As a physician, he dismisses her concerns, adhering strictly to the "rest cure," which isolates her and prohibits any form of stimulation or social interaction. He infantilizes her, refusing to acknowledge her feelings and desires, such as her wish to write or socialize. This oppressive environment, combined with her confinement in a room with disturbing wallpaper, exacerbates her condition, leading her to descend into madness.
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