In the late 1800’s in American literature, people began rebelling against society’s standards. People started to realize that their liberation and individuality were being oppressed. The two short stories, “Araby” by James Joyce and “The Yellow Wallpaper,” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman are similar in the way that both stories emphasizes how complying to a set of ideals will cause a person to behave in a manner of society’s strict norms. Both protagonists in the two short stories reveal how conformity is not important, but self-worthiness and happiness is. Joyce and Gilman create similar characters and themes as they both display indirect characterization and the theme of society versus individuality. However, they demonstrate diverse symbolism
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Gilman reveals how the protagonist had no say in leaving her room as her husband states, “If that woman does get out , and tries to get away, I can tie her!” (p.316). Due to her confinement, the protagonist does not stand up for what she believes in because she is shamed by both her husband and her postpartum depression. However, she learns to love the person who she is by leaving behind her family and going after what she wants. By escaping, the protagonist no longer allows her illness to cause misery and insanity to control her. Likewise, in “Araby,” the protagonist tries to get a girl to develop feelings for him by buying her love and doing what she favors. However, as the protagonist tries to please others, it results in him getting oppressed. With this intention, both Joyce and Gilman aim to convey how in order to maintain a happy life people need to accept themselves and go after what they want, rather than reaching other people’s standards and …show more content…
The whole story takes place at night, in a dimly lit house. The light symbolizes the youthfulness in children, but when there was a sudden change after the children “played until [their] bodies glowed,” it resembles a loss of innocence (Joyce 188). Through the darkness, Mangan’s sister represents the light as she is depicted as the pale lamp. Joyce asserts, “she was waiting for us, her figure defined by the light from the half-opened door,” in which the protagonist comes to a realization that he is only a child and does not have a chance to date Mangan’s sister even if he bribes her with a gift (p. 187). In like manner, there is religion symbolism and allusions noticed such as Adam and Eve, the priest, the bazaar, and the Christian schoolboys that represent how the protagonist is trying to escape from the church. Evidently, the protagonist struggles to break free from his society’s strict rules and away from his church. Nevertheless, even though the two authors illustrate different symbolism, their protagonists both tend to shy away from their individuality to fit into society, but their consciences fight for their originality and
Gilman reveals how the protagonist had no say in leaving her room as her husband states, “If that woman does get out , and tries to get away, I can tie her!” (p.316). Due to her confinement, the protagonist does not stand up for what she believes in because she is shamed by both her husband and her postpartum depression. However, she learns to love the person who she is by leaving behind her family and going after what she wants. By escaping, the protagonist no longer allows her illness to cause misery and insanity to control her. Likewise, in “Araby,” the protagonist tries to get a girl to develop feelings for him by buying her love and doing what she favors. However, as the protagonist tries to please others, it results in him getting oppressed. With this intention, both Joyce and Gilman aim to convey how in order to maintain a happy life people need to accept themselves and go after what they want, rather than reaching other people’s standards and …show more content…
The whole story takes place at night, in a dimly lit house. The light symbolizes the youthfulness in children, but when there was a sudden change after the children “played until [their] bodies glowed,” it resembles a loss of innocence (Joyce 188). Through the darkness, Mangan’s sister represents the light as she is depicted as the pale lamp. Joyce asserts, “she was waiting for us, her figure defined by the light from the half-opened door,” in which the protagonist comes to a realization that he is only a child and does not have a chance to date Mangan’s sister even if he bribes her with a gift (p. 187). In like manner, there is religion symbolism and allusions noticed such as Adam and Eve, the priest, the bazaar, and the Christian schoolboys that represent how the protagonist is trying to escape from the church. Evidently, the protagonist struggles to break free from his society’s strict rules and away from his church. Nevertheless, even though the two authors illustrate different symbolism, their protagonists both tend to shy away from their individuality to fit into society, but their consciences fight for their originality and