Gender Inequality In The Yellow Wallpaper

Despite mankind’s attempts to create equality throughout history, today's society seems as far away from achieving that goal as it was years ago. The quote by George Orwell - “No advance in wealth, no softening of manners, no reform or revolution has ever brought human equality a millimeter nearer” - shows just how much more people have to do to create a society that is equal for all. An example of an attempt to shed light gender inequality is The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Stetson. It is a semi autobiographical literary piece which was written after the author underwent a tough period in her life comprised of psychosis, divorce and the loss of custody of her child. The story focuses on the life of a young married woman who, over
Initially, Jane describes the paper as “repellant, almost revolting...a dull yet lurid orange in some places, a sickly sulphur tint in others.” (Stetson 649). John initially intends to repaper the room but later decides not to, stating that “[Jane] was letting it get the better of [her]” (Stetson 649). Stetson starts to show that the wallpaper represents the manner in which the needs, opinions and voices of women were suppressed by men in society. John continues “nothing was worse for a nervous patient than to give way to such fancies...after the wallpaper was changed, it would be the heavy bedstead, and then the barred windows, and then that gate at the head of the stairs and so on.” (Stetson 649). The quote shows the internal fear in men that led to the inferior treatment of women and discrimination in society in an attempt to prolong the patriarchy. Therefore, the yellow wallpaper essentially represents the domestic prison that prevented social mobility amongst women. The woman behind the wallpaper that Jane sees as her condition worsens is an attempt by the author to paint a vivid picture of the injustice against