For centuries society has viewed women as inferior to men, doubting their intuitions and intelligence. Male doctors often did not understand the biology of a women and frequently misdiagnosed women’s illnesses. This vicious cycle gave power to men and demeaned women. “The Yellow Wallpaper” (1899) by Charlotte Perkins Gilman reveals others don’t always know what is best for another person. In the story Jane’s feelings and ideas are dismissed by her husband John who happens to also be a doctor. Jane believes she is sick but her husband's dismisses the possibility and locks her in a room. Men will act like they know more than women, and men will ignore the opinions of women; however men do not always have the right answer.
Men act like they know …show more content…
When men refuse to listen to women’s thoughts on their health condition their health will decline. Increased cases of ignorance leads to the social expectation that men are more intelligent than women and women’s intuitions hold no value. “John does not know how much [Jane] really [suffers] he knows there is no reason to suffer and that satisfies him.” (3). John believes Jane is fine although she is enduring pain, because he dismisses her feelings. Humans possess the ability to emphasize, however humans are incapable of experiencing one another's pain. John is under the impression that Jane “shall be as sick as she pleases” (7). Even when Jane “tried to have a real earnest reasonable talk with [John] …. and tell him how [she wished] he would let [Jane] go and make a visit… [John] said [Jane] wasn’t able to go… It is so hard [for Jane] to talk with John about [her] case, because he is so wise” (6) and Jane feels John will not listen to her opinions. Men have a tendency to overlook women’s judgements, leading to a society where women are not socially equal to …show more content…
Men are closed minded and refuse to accept the possibility that they don’t know everything. John decided to treat Jane by giving her medication, rest, and isolating her from the outside world. He believes that because he is “a doctor… [he knows]. [Jane is] gaining flesh and color, [her] appetite is better… [however Jane believes she doesn’t] weigh a bit more… and [her] appetite may be better in the evening when [John is home], but it is worse in the morning when [John is] away” (7). John in this case may be wrong but refuses to admit he has mistreated Jane. In response to being locked away in the room with the yellow wallpaper Jane gets “angry enough to do something desperate. To jump out of the window would be admirable exercise, but the bars are too strong even to try.” (11). John continues to uphold his treatment plan despite the lack of improvement in Jane’s condition, and remains oblivious to Jane’s struggles and feelings. Jane would “sometimes fancy that if [she] had less opposition and more society and stimulus--[she would get better] but John says that the very worst thing [Jane] can do is think about [her] condition”(1). John refused to accept that he was wrong and his treatment was not helping Jane. Denial is common among men, because society has convinced the majority of the population that men are more intelligent than women and that they are always
Men act like they know …show more content…
When men refuse to listen to women’s thoughts on their health condition their health will decline. Increased cases of ignorance leads to the social expectation that men are more intelligent than women and women’s intuitions hold no value. “John does not know how much [Jane] really [suffers] he knows there is no reason to suffer and that satisfies him.” (3). John believes Jane is fine although she is enduring pain, because he dismisses her feelings. Humans possess the ability to emphasize, however humans are incapable of experiencing one another's pain. John is under the impression that Jane “shall be as sick as she pleases” (7). Even when Jane “tried to have a real earnest reasonable talk with [John] …. and tell him how [she wished] he would let [Jane] go and make a visit… [John] said [Jane] wasn’t able to go… It is so hard [for Jane] to talk with John about [her] case, because he is so wise” (6) and Jane feels John will not listen to her opinions. Men have a tendency to overlook women’s judgements, leading to a society where women are not socially equal to …show more content…
Men are closed minded and refuse to accept the possibility that they don’t know everything. John decided to treat Jane by giving her medication, rest, and isolating her from the outside world. He believes that because he is “a doctor… [he knows]. [Jane is] gaining flesh and color, [her] appetite is better… [however Jane believes she doesn’t] weigh a bit more… and [her] appetite may be better in the evening when [John is home], but it is worse in the morning when [John is] away” (7). John in this case may be wrong but refuses to admit he has mistreated Jane. In response to being locked away in the room with the yellow wallpaper Jane gets “angry enough to do something desperate. To jump out of the window would be admirable exercise, but the bars are too strong even to try.” (11). John continues to uphold his treatment plan despite the lack of improvement in Jane’s condition, and remains oblivious to Jane’s struggles and feelings. Jane would “sometimes fancy that if [she] had less opposition and more society and stimulus--[she would get better] but John says that the very worst thing [Jane] can do is think about [her] condition”(1). John refused to accept that he was wrong and his treatment was not helping Jane. Denial is common among men, because society has convinced the majority of the population that men are more intelligent than women and that they are always