The Yellow Wallpaper -- essays research papers

In "The Yellow Wallpaper", by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, there is adominant/submissive relationship that exists between an oppressive husband andhis submissive wife. This oppressive husband leads his wife from a recite ofdepression to a state of insanity and finally, to a state of isolation. Had thehusband not been so oppressive upon his wife, he could have originalized her problemand resolved it without tearing himself away from her. The womanhood does notbecome insane because of the wallpaper alone rather, it is the strictguidelines her husband sets for her that prompt her eventual insanity andisolation.As the story begins, the woman -- whose name we never learn-- tells of her depression and how it is dismissed by her husband and brother. "You see, he does not believe I am sick And what can one do? If a physicianof high standing, and ones own husband, assures friends and relatives thatthere is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression --a sl ight neurotic tendency -- what is one to do?" (Gilman 658). These twomen, both doctors, are apparently unable to admit that there might be more toher condition than beneficial stress and a slight nervous condition. Even when asummer in the country and weeks of bed-rest dont help, her husband refuses toaccept that she may have a real problem.Throughout the story there are examples of thedominant/submissive relationship. She is virtually imprisoned in her bedroom,supposedly to allo...