Yellow Wallpaper Flaws
In Charlotte Perkins “The Yellow Wallpaper” the narrator, who is also the main character, has a mental breakdown. Her mental changes throughout the story make her a dynamic character and is caused by her being limited to a room and is forbidden to express her thoughts through her writing. She also has her husband/physician, John, who has good intentions but forbids her to do any work, makes all the decisions for her, and refuses to take her seriously.
Throughout the story the narrator has to be secretive when she writes; she is not allowed to do anything to stimulate her mind. She says “I did write for a while in spite of them; but it does exhaust me a good deal—having to be so sly about it, or else meet with heavy opposition” (Perkins, 65). Writing is her way of expressing herself and when she has to be sneaky about it she becomes tired. Although she …show more content…
hates the wallpaper it gives her a way to stimulate her mind and she becomes intrigued by it. She states “I lie here on this great immovable bed… and follow that pattern about by the hour. It is as good as gymnastics” (67). By her stating this it shows she has found another way to express her mind besides writing.
As the narrator descends into her fascination with the wallpaper she becomes further away from reality. She starts to give the wallpaper human attributes “There is a recurrent spot where the pattern lolls like a broken neck and two bulbous eyes stare at you upside down" (67). She then starts to hallucinate, “And it is like a woman stooping down and creeping about behind that pattern” (70). Afterwards she becomes paranoid, “The fact is I am getting a little afraid of John. He seems very queer sometimes, and even Jennie has an inexplicable look” (72). Then she starts to creep around, “I always lock the door when I creep by daylight” (75). It is clear by these statements that her mental state is declining.
Her husband does not help the situation, although he thinks he’s doing what is best.
She states “… and am absolutely forbidden to “work” until I am well again. Personally, I disagree with their ideas” (64). John has driven the narrator to boredom all she is able to do is immerse herself into the wallpaper. John also makes all the decisions for her from when she eats to when she sleeps. She states “Indeed he started the habit by making me lie down for an hour after each meal” (72). The narrator has no freedom to do what she wants to do causing her to feel like the woman in the wallpaper, trapped.
The husband also does not take his wife’s condition seriously she states this in several different places throughout the story. “You see, he does not believe I am sick” (64). She also says “If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression—a slight hysterical tendency—what is one to do” (64). These statements make the narrator feel like nothing is wrong with her and that it is all in her
head.
Over the course of three months the narrator’s mental state declines drastically. It is only when she identifies herself as the woman trapped behind the wallpaper that she feels freedom. It is obvious that anyone in this predicament would lose their mind
Throughout the story the narrator has to be secretive when she writes; she is not allowed to do anything to stimulate her mind. She says “I did write for a while in spite of them; but it does exhaust me a good deal—having to be so sly about it, or else meet with heavy opposition” (Perkins, 65). Writing is her way of expressing herself and when she has to be sneaky about it she becomes tired. Although she …show more content…
hates the wallpaper it gives her a way to stimulate her mind and she becomes intrigued by it. She states “I lie here on this great immovable bed… and follow that pattern about by the hour. It is as good as gymnastics” (67). By her stating this it shows she has found another way to express her mind besides writing.
As the narrator descends into her fascination with the wallpaper she becomes further away from reality. She starts to give the wallpaper human attributes “There is a recurrent spot where the pattern lolls like a broken neck and two bulbous eyes stare at you upside down" (67). She then starts to hallucinate, “And it is like a woman stooping down and creeping about behind that pattern” (70). Afterwards she becomes paranoid, “The fact is I am getting a little afraid of John. He seems very queer sometimes, and even Jennie has an inexplicable look” (72). Then she starts to creep around, “I always lock the door when I creep by daylight” (75). It is clear by these statements that her mental state is declining.
Her husband does not help the situation, although he thinks he’s doing what is best.
She states “… and am absolutely forbidden to “work” until I am well again. Personally, I disagree with their ideas” (64). John has driven the narrator to boredom all she is able to do is immerse herself into the wallpaper. John also makes all the decisions for her from when she eats to when she sleeps. She states “Indeed he started the habit by making me lie down for an hour after each meal” (72). The narrator has no freedom to do what she wants to do causing her to feel like the woman in the wallpaper, trapped.
The husband also does not take his wife’s condition seriously she states this in several different places throughout the story. “You see, he does not believe I am sick” (64). She also says “If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression—a slight hysterical tendency—what is one to do” (64). These statements make the narrator feel like nothing is wrong with her and that it is all in her
head.
Over the course of three months the narrator’s mental state declines drastically. It is only when she identifies herself as the woman trapped behind the wallpaper that she feels freedom. It is obvious that anyone in this predicament would lose their mind