What Is The Narrative Of A Woman's Slow Descent Into Madness

Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” is the narrative of a woman’s slow descent into madness. Ironically, Jane’s descent into hysteria is a symptom of the treatments presumed to cure her “nervous depression—a slight hysterical tendency” (Gilman 1392). Jane’s husband John is a physician and the prescriber of Jane’s treatments; even though, he originally does not believe she is unwell. The first treatment given to Jane is removing her from society and bringing her to the country, a common remedy during the Victorian era. To isolate Jane further, she is confined to a room, not of her choosing. John prohibits her from writing, a tool used by Jane to relax and express herself. The lack of activity incites Jane to focus completely on the yellow wallpaper