Medical practices have drastically changed throughout our nation’s history, almost all of which have been for the better. An example of an old common practice was that for any condition affecting a person’s mind, the treatment was usually complete isolation and many drugs thought to help overcome the disease. These common medical practices are the basis for Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper.” The narrator of the story, or Jane Doe for lack of a given name, writes in a journal that exposes her unraveling mental state. The diminishing of her mind is evident mainly through how she writes at the beginning compared to near the end. She also reveals that she is losing sight of what is important to her and getting caught
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John, along with Jane’s brother, suggests that she take tonics and other medicines to help relax her. At first she plays along, “If a physician of high standing…assures friends that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression…what is one to do?”(308). This statement early on shows that she still holds a level of respect for her husband and his profession, rather than immediately trying to fight his prescriptions. However, after some time spent in the house, Jane writes about the wallpaper, “The front pattern does move−and no wonder! The woman behind shakes it! (317)” She obviously is at the point where she can’t process things as she should be able to, proving that the time spent in the room had undoubtedly worsened her …show more content…
The examples in her writing show us multiple proofs her sanity quickly escapes her due to the ordinary medical practice. Jane also exhibits actions, such as tearing the wallpaper down to free a woman trapped by it, which would indicate that she is worse off than we she got to the house. However, because the common proceeding for any mental condition was as drastic as it was, there were many cases similar to Jane Doe’s. Luckily, medicine and medical practices have come a long way since those times, and these cases are finally being treated
John, along with Jane’s brother, suggests that she take tonics and other medicines to help relax her. At first she plays along, “If a physician of high standing…assures friends that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression…what is one to do?”(308). This statement early on shows that she still holds a level of respect for her husband and his profession, rather than immediately trying to fight his prescriptions. However, after some time spent in the house, Jane writes about the wallpaper, “The front pattern does move−and no wonder! The woman behind shakes it! (317)” She obviously is at the point where she can’t process things as she should be able to, proving that the time spent in the room had undoubtedly worsened her …show more content…
The examples in her writing show us multiple proofs her sanity quickly escapes her due to the ordinary medical practice. Jane also exhibits actions, such as tearing the wallpaper down to free a woman trapped by it, which would indicate that she is worse off than we she got to the house. However, because the common proceeding for any mental condition was as drastic as it was, there were many cases similar to Jane Doe’s. Luckily, medicine and medical practices have come a long way since those times, and these cases are finally being treated