The Yellow Wallpaper

In “The Yellow Wallpaper” I found it unusual that she described how much John loved her and it always seemed like he treated her well, but she does not seem to love him. Maybe with her disease she is incapable of loving someone because she is so paranoid. On the right side of page she comments, “I’m sure I never used to be so sensitive. I think it is due to this nervous condition.”

John may be considered controlling, which would fit in with the “man’s role” of that time period but he also shows love for his wife. On the right side of page 3 she says, “He loves me very dearly, and hates to have me sick…” Also on the same page, she describes him, “And Dear John gathered me up in his arms, and just carried me upstairs and laid me on the bed, and sat by me and read to me till it tired my head. He said I was his darling and his comfort and all he had, and that I must take care of myself for his sake, and keep well.” While there are certain words that she uses that may make this sound less romantic and more like John has power over her, I think it sounds like a loving gesture. When she says he “gathered me,” and “carried me” it makes it sound like he is in control while he seems kind.

Evidence that she does not appreciate this and is paranoid of him is found on the left side of page five. “The fact is I am getting a little afraid of John.” Also, on the right side of page one she says, “I get unreasonably angry with John sometimes.”

Also, this made me think about how the typical “man’s role” and “woman’s role” have changed since then. But how much have they really changed? At the time this story was written the man was supposed to be in control and the women submissive. This has obviously changed greatly, now some women are the one’s who work while the men stay at home. But sometimes the women are still supposed to wait for the man to open the door, buy the meal, or carry the heavy things. There is still some remnants of those past “roles” in our relationships today.