Male Dominance In William Faulkner's The Yellow Wallpaper
In the past, women have often been victims of unjustness and oppression, being forced to endure numerous hardships that had an impact not only on their physical health, but their psychological health as well. These struggles were particularly visible during the 19th century, when male dominance was a prevailing and ubiquitous aspect of society. Women of this time period had to cope with the drudgery of being under constant control of their male counterparts and not being able to voice their emotions or opinions. As a result, the subject of male preeminence has appeared in multiple pieces of literature that have not only denounced this inequitable condition, but have disclosed its negative side effects as well. The Yellow Wallpaper, written
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The narrator, just like the rest of her gender, is expected to be obedient and submissive, while at the same time having the ability to discipline her thoughts, attitude, and actions. John, the narrator’s husband, serves as a representation for the masculine sovereignty within their society. Although the narrator suffers from a serious condition, John does not pay attention to this and his only concern is that she remains a compliant wife. Therefore, he treats her like a frail child and does not allow her to make her own decisions, giving his wife no other option but to become fully dependant on him. In addition to ensuring that his wife is subservient and reliant, John strives to make sure that she is sane and well behaved. He claims that her condition is merely “a slight hysterical tendency” and decides to confine his wife to a state of isolation and inactivity. By doing this, John encourages the narrator to conceal her issues and frustrations, hoping that she will learn to control herself better. Furthermore, John “seems to consider fancy an inner weakness of [the narrator] and registers fancy as a real threat that exerts its influence on [her]” (Suess). Since John regards his wife as a second class citizen and restrains her from any meaningful activity, he demonstrates that the society in which
The narrator, just like the rest of her gender, is expected to be obedient and submissive, while at the same time having the ability to discipline her thoughts, attitude, and actions. John, the narrator’s husband, serves as a representation for the masculine sovereignty within their society. Although the narrator suffers from a serious condition, John does not pay attention to this and his only concern is that she remains a compliant wife. Therefore, he treats her like a frail child and does not allow her to make her own decisions, giving his wife no other option but to become fully dependant on him. In addition to ensuring that his wife is subservient and reliant, John strives to make sure that she is sane and well behaved. He claims that her condition is merely “a slight hysterical tendency” and decides to confine his wife to a state of isolation and inactivity. By doing this, John encourages the narrator to conceal her issues and frustrations, hoping that she will learn to control herself better. Furthermore, John “seems to consider fancy an inner weakness of [the narrator] and registers fancy as a real threat that exerts its influence on [her]” (Suess). Since John regards his wife as a second class citizen and restrains her from any meaningful activity, he demonstrates that the society in which