An Inactive Mind
Through history women have always been the subjects of suppression, and the author of “The Yellow Wallpaper” was no exception. Charlotte Perkins Gilman was born in Connecticut in 1860; she was known for being an unenthusiastic housewife. She enjoyed her work as a writer, but knew she lived in a male dominant society, therefore she feared being a housewife because it might interfere with her work. After giving birth to her first child, she became very ill and depresses. During, that time period mental illness was a stigmatize, and was considered to be just nervousness. A well known physiatrists, recommended the rest cure prohibiting any physical or intellectual work. Gilmen, disobeys seeing that the rest cure was only pushing her over the edge to mental ruin and begins …show more content…
Jane beyond being depressed she feels isolated and urges for some company, but when she questions John about visiting cousin Henry and Julia, he completely discourages her replying that she is not in good condition to go. “ But he said I wasn’t able to go, nor able to stand it after I got there; and I did not make out a very good case for myself, for I was crying before I had finish” (Gilmen pg. 367). Jane’s tears represent her need for human interaction, and inability to control her emotions; seeking deeper into her depression, and the company of her imagination. Even though, John is portrayed as a loving and caring husband he does not take into consideration any of Jane’s needs; neither as her doctor nor as her husband. “ 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 a temporary nervous depression-a slight hysteria tendency- what is one to do?”(Gilman pg. 364) John truly believes there is nothing wrong with his wife, and ignores June’s feelings. Eventually, Jane is somewhat outcast and force to deal with her condition
Through history women have always been the subjects of suppression, and the author of “The Yellow Wallpaper” was no exception. Charlotte Perkins Gilman was born in Connecticut in 1860; she was known for being an unenthusiastic housewife. She enjoyed her work as a writer, but knew she lived in a male dominant society, therefore she feared being a housewife because it might interfere with her work. After giving birth to her first child, she became very ill and depresses. During, that time period mental illness was a stigmatize, and was considered to be just nervousness. A well known physiatrists, recommended the rest cure prohibiting any physical or intellectual work. Gilmen, disobeys seeing that the rest cure was only pushing her over the edge to mental ruin and begins …show more content…
Jane beyond being depressed she feels isolated and urges for some company, but when she questions John about visiting cousin Henry and Julia, he completely discourages her replying that she is not in good condition to go. “ But he said I wasn’t able to go, nor able to stand it after I got there; and I did not make out a very good case for myself, for I was crying before I had finish” (Gilmen pg. 367). Jane’s tears represent her need for human interaction, and inability to control her emotions; seeking deeper into her depression, and the company of her imagination. Even though, John is portrayed as a loving and caring husband he does not take into consideration any of Jane’s needs; neither as her doctor nor as her husband. “ 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 a temporary nervous depression-a slight hysteria tendency- what is one to do?”(Gilman pg. 364) John truly believes there is nothing wrong with his wife, and ignores June’s feelings. Eventually, Jane is somewhat outcast and force to deal with her condition