Yellow wall paper

Essay by premedstud8University, Bachelor'sA+, May 2004

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The Transformation of Women in The Yellow Wallpaper

The Yellow Wallpaper is a story, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Although the work is short, it is one of the most interesting works in existence. Gilman uses literary techniques very well. The symbolism of The Yellow Wallpaper can be seen and employed after some thought and make sense immediately. The views and ideals of society are often found in literary works. Whether the author is trying to show the ills of society of merely telling a story, culture is woven onto the words. The female perspective of today has changed quite a bit. For one thing the role of the female in society has changed drastically since 1892. The women of today compete for the same jobs that men do and this causes them to take care of themselves and fight for themselves. For another thing the role of the male has changed since the book was written.

Since women today are a part of the working community, men are forced to reckon with the reality that women are as capable and stable as men. "I've got out at last," it is not until the end when John and Jennie get a peek of the disturbed narrator's imagination as she finally breaks and goes insane. She finally expressed herself without regard to her husband's wisdom or the fact that he is a doctor. The modern day viewer's perspective of the story is one of disgust or sickened compassion. The reader would read the beginning and think the narrator is a normal person who is controlled by her husband. As the reader continues a feeling of dislike and even hatred towards the husband for disregarding her opinions and feelings. A woman of today, if she were in the same position as the...