The Role Of Insanity In The Yellow Wallpaper

Normalcy is the conforming to a standard created by the expectations of society. People are demanded to conform to social norms. The more emphasis placed on norms, the more behavioural changes to become closer to the norm; however, when this is not attained, it has social ramification for the individual, such as being destroyed, stigmatized and attacked by society. The views and standards of society can lead to one becoming mad. In the text, “The Yellow Wallpaper”, by Charlotte Gilman, the narrator struggles to maintain her sanity after failing to find her place in the world as a new mother. To begin, the society’s views on gender roles and the lack of feminism force the narrator to negatively destroy her confidence and self-control. Moreover, society’s lack of knowledge about mental illness creates improper treatment and care associated with madness. Unequal, unfair and unattainable standards in society are detrimental to one’s success as one can never achieve perfection, ultimately leading to complete mental insanity of the unnamed narrator within “The Yellow Wallpaper”. To
begin, the lack of acceptance of women contributing to society creates a lack of hope in the narrator’s life. The narrator is under the authority and scrutiny of her husband John. She reveals, “John laughs at me, of course, but one expects that in marriage” (Gilman 647). She is not an equal in her marriage and as a result, she must be second to her husband and his beliefs. Her opinion is not important and not accepted. Likewise, a woman is not only considered second in a marriage, but is considered last in a family. After questioning her own sanity, her husband John pleads, “I beg of you, for my sake and for our child’s sake, as well as for your own, that you will never let that idea enter your mind” (Gilman 652). As John orders his wife to stop questioning his diagnosis, he commences with the importance of him and their child; she is an afterthought. John is most important as he is the breadwinner of the family and then it is his child because he is John’s offspring who will continue the family legacy. In society, the only useful role of a woman is to produce children; therefore, once the task is completed, her life is insignificant. Overall, the lack of value in society for women forces the narrator to not care about herself and her problems, thus leaving the madness to deepen.
In addition to the absence of value in women, there is a lack of awareness of the severity of mental illness. Doctors are recognized in society as some of the most intelligent humans in the world. Their opinions are valuable and therefore one must believe what they have said. The narrator internally questions, “If a physician of a high standing assures… that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression – a slight hysterical tendency – what is one to do (Gilman 648)? John is not worried about the condition of his wife. His nonchalance over the severity of her condition, gives permission to all who know about her condition to not be distressed. This only leaves the narrator frustrated as she is helpless. Nevertheless, with a lack of concern from doctors, a lack of concern within the victim eventually develops as well. The narrator is forced to believe everything her husband believes. She reveals, “It is getting to be a great effort for me to think straight. Just this nervous weakness” (Gilman 652). The longer madness is left untreated, the worse it gets and the less self-control the victim possesses. Unfortunately, her husband demonstrates a lack of interest in the condition and this idea is planted in the mind of the narrator. She blames her illness, instead of finding a solution to regain sanity. She never questions why she is mad, how it began or how it can be resolved. Her lack of desire to conquer the issue will merely continue the evolution of her illness. In summary, the society’s lack of concern of the severity of mental illness leaves its victims in a vulnerable and hopeless state further developing insanity.
In conclusion, the narrator is subject to multiple types of discrimination in society, causing her to question her self-worth; resulting in the further development of her mental insanity.
First, women are devalued in society and this destroys any self-worth the narrator has to create a healthier and more successful future. Likewise, the absence of mental insanity knowledge in society inflicts a discouraging atmosphere to overcome madness; instead she wholly succumbs to her madness. Overall, the text, “The Yellow Wallpaper”, by Charlotte Gilman, confirms the unrealistic standards in society aids in the destruction of one’s sanity. In order to overcome madness; one must challenge society to modify its ethics. Without acting upon the idea of altering society, it will continue its original ways. Change the normal. Mental illness awareness is the first step in mental illness
prevention.