The Representation of Women

In Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper,” I was extremely distraught over how helpless and inadequate she portrayed herself. I do recognize that she was suffering from post-partum depression and that she was clinically sick, suffering from what she deemed her “nervous condition,” but it was difficult for me to accept how submissive she was to her husband John (1).

Now I realize I am reading this from the perspective of an independent college student and the only reason I am even able to think this way is because of the forerunners from years past who fought for these rights (the rights I am clearly taking for granted) but I simply could not get over the infinite number of pet names and labels that John insisted upon using. These pet names do nothing but undermine her abilities as a grown woman.

I find it interesting (also maddening) that John enforced such rules upon her and not once attempted to treat her as an adult. Not only does he treat her as a child, but also forces her to sleep in a nursery, a room she despises. It is not a surprise she went crazy! I would have done the same!

I believe her image of a woman beneath the wallpaper was a clear representation of her view of women living in the society of her time. They were oppressed and had very limited rights. Even though Gilman represents herself as one of these repressed individuals she is able to express her opinion through her writing.