The Yellow Wallpaper is a short story written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It was first published in 1892 and is widely regarded as one of the earliest and most important feminist literature during the 19th century. It follows the story of the narrator named Jane who has been confined in a bedroom of a summer house by her own husband, John. The physician husband believes that Jane suffers from a “temporary nervous depression” and thus, bars her from doing anything but be locked in the room. With nothing to mentally stimulate her, the main character soon spirals to psychosis and becomes fixated by the patterns of the yellow wallpaper. Within the narrative, the author uses theme of subordination tied in with gender and marriage – therefore creating a powerful feminist message.
One of the most significant themes of this story is gender. It particularly explores the suffering endured by the female gender in the hands of patriarchal society. In the narrative, Jane has been locked up in a bedroom in which all the windows are barred. Her confinement was largely because her husband believes that she should take a rest after giving birth to their child. Such scenario is a representation of the position of women during the 19th century wherein they are given very little or no freedom at all. The main character’s confinement symbolizes how women are expected to simply stay in the confines of their home and perform domestic functions. The story similarly reveals how the society dictates how women should behave which in turn, limits their possibilities, in the same way that Jane is limited to the four corners of the bedroom where she is confined.
Alternately, the very fact that the female character is confined in the bedroom is indicative of the situation of women in the institution of marriage. It is as if marriage fortifies the limit that the male-dominated society imposes upon women. The character of the narrator shows how gender, even in marriage, prevents her from being free to express her own potential, believes, and values (St. Jean 34).
Another prominent theme communicated in this story is the subordination of women. It is interesting how the author portrayed the female character as a mentally unstable individual being locked up in a room while the male character is someone who is highly respected and is active at work. This type of societal gender subordination is best expressed when the protagonist narrates:
“If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression – a slight hysterical tendency – what is one to do?… So I take the phosphites – whichever it is, and tonics, and journeys, and airs, and exercise, and am absolutely forbidden to work until I am well again. Personally, I disagree with their ideas” (Gilman 11).
This passage indicates the authoritative order of the male gender, or in this case the husband, and the powerless and “choicelessness” of women. Although in her heart and mind, she does not agree with such decision to confine her, she is left with no choice but to abide and follow as her opinions bear very little weight (Troll 24).
Based on the points provided, it can be argued that the main the author used the themes of gender, subordination, and marriage to put across powerful feminist messages. The scenarios in the story, which includes the confinement of the narrator, is symbolic how women are powerless and voiceless in a male-domininated society. It similarly shows how the male gender along with the institution of marriage, limits the freedom of women.
Works Cited
Gilman, C. The Yellow Wallpaper. NY: Courier Dove Publication, 2012
St. Jean, S. The yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Ohio: Ohio University Press, 2006
Troll, Y. Writing Oneself into existence: The Yellow Wallpaper and the Question of Female Self-Definition. NY: Books on Demand, 2009