Upon the first reading “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, one can inference that Gilman was a women activist. “The Yellow Wallpaper,” is a short story shown through the use of diary entries from the perspective of a woman that utilizes postpartum depression and the implication of societal pressures on women. When I first read, “John’s Love For His Wife,” written by Emma Newton respectively, a counterargument appeared, where Emma stated that John’s love for his wife could be causing him to suppress the worry surrounding her sickness. Although I find her interpretation of John’s character insightful, it was the denial he held towards her sickness, rather than “suppress[ing] the worry [John] wants to show for [Jane 's] well-being.”
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But what is one to do?” (25). Which causes me to believe that the protagonist knew she was sick. The general assumption that a few readers would make - was to perceive John as a sympathetic character. Which causes me to come to a proper conclusion that most individuals I believe, would come to when they delve into the mind of the protagonist. The purpose of this essay is thus to explain and provide concrete evidence of why John is not a character that is sympathetic, but rather a character that regards the lead as a patient that he cannot cure, rather than sympathize with her as his …show more content…
Which makes me state that the issue that arises is that John particularly doesn’t care of her on a personal level, and for her own benefit. This is evident when John is belittling and degrading her suggestions regarding her own treatment; which is seen when Jane quotes his words,“no reason to suffer, and that satisfies him” (28), and that she “must take care of [herself] for his sake” (32). These quotes highlight the basis of her oppression place upon her by her husband - which can play into her basis of madness and longing for freedom. John continuously denies Jane’s illness, by “John laughs at me” (24), and dismissing her obsession with the wallpaper. Which ultimately leads her to the brink of insanity. With John’s belief in the rest cure being powerful and extreme, he mentions that if she does not “pick up faster he shall send [Jane] to Weir Mitchell” (30). With hierarchy pertaining to power, as a result of societal normalities in the 19th century, resulting in misogynistic principles in medicine and scientific fields in the 18th century - women were seen as house domestic labourers. In this quote, the threat of John causes me to believe that he makes the threat not in the effort of her well-being, but indirectly emphasizing she is not carrying the role of a “women”; resulting in him to take extreme measure as she is seen as an inadequate wife. With the denial John has
But what is one to do?” (25). Which causes me to believe that the protagonist knew she was sick. The general assumption that a few readers would make - was to perceive John as a sympathetic character. Which causes me to come to a proper conclusion that most individuals I believe, would come to when they delve into the mind of the protagonist. The purpose of this essay is thus to explain and provide concrete evidence of why John is not a character that is sympathetic, but rather a character that regards the lead as a patient that he cannot cure, rather than sympathize with her as his …show more content…
Which makes me state that the issue that arises is that John particularly doesn’t care of her on a personal level, and for her own benefit. This is evident when John is belittling and degrading her suggestions regarding her own treatment; which is seen when Jane quotes his words,“no reason to suffer, and that satisfies him” (28), and that she “must take care of [herself] for his sake” (32). These quotes highlight the basis of her oppression place upon her by her husband - which can play into her basis of madness and longing for freedom. John continuously denies Jane’s illness, by “John laughs at me” (24), and dismissing her obsession with the wallpaper. Which ultimately leads her to the brink of insanity. With John’s belief in the rest cure being powerful and extreme, he mentions that if she does not “pick up faster he shall send [Jane] to Weir Mitchell” (30). With hierarchy pertaining to power, as a result of societal normalities in the 19th century, resulting in misogynistic principles in medicine and scientific fields in the 18th century - women were seen as house domestic labourers. In this quote, the threat of John causes me to believe that he makes the threat not in the effort of her well-being, but indirectly emphasizing she is not carrying the role of a “women”; resulting in him to take extreme measure as she is seen as an inadequate wife. With the denial John has