Kersti Sharron
Bleck
English 111
June 5, 2009

The Yellow Wallpaper

Charlotte Perkins Gilman writes a story called ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’. She recounts the reason behind the story and noting the story is based on her personal experience. In ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ the character Jane suffers not only from a physical sickness, but from a psychological one as well brought on by John’s (her husband) lack of support. Jane has just given birth to a child and it is very likely that she is suffering from post partum depression. Postpartum depression is serious and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Postpartum isn’t a cover; the symptoms are real and can be very serious. It’s important to know the woman in question to better identify if something may be wrong.
Jane writes “I’m sure I never used to be so sensitive. I think it’s due to this nervous condition” (Gilman 113). John comes across as loving and overly protective but borderline controlling. She writes “he is very careful and loving, and hardly lets me stir without special direction” (Gilman 113). John forbids her to write, which seems to calm her spirit. Jane writes “I did write for awhile in spite of them; but it does exhaust me a good deal-having to be so sly about it, or else meet with heavy opposition” (Gilman 112).
The theme behind this story seems to be ‘John knows best’. John is a physician and feels that he knows what is best for his wife while neglecting to actually listen to her concerns. He laughs at her often and almost pokes fun at her. “He laughs at me so about this wallpaper” (Gilman 114). He refers to her sometimes as ‘little girl’ and has said to her “What is it little girl? Don’t go walking about like that-you’ll get cold” (Gilman 120). The ongoing argument is that Jane either isn’t smart enough in John’s eyes to explain what’s ailing her or that she’s to be treated as a little girl who just doesn’t know any better. Either way, that’s the wrong mental attitude. As a physician it was his job to diagnose but listening to the patient should have been his first task. He treats her as if she isn’t his equal and she isn’t bright enough to be on the same level as he considered himself to be on; when he continuously ignores her pleas.
The ongoing point of view from John’s perspective seems to be one of superiority. He assumes without listening and continues to tell her that she is “gaining flesh and color, her appetite is better, he feels really much easier about her” (Gilman 120) despite how she desperately tries to talk with him about letting her move out of the bedroom with this hideous wallpaper that seems to disturb her. From Jane’s point of view, this yellow wallpaper is really causing her to go insane. She talks about the colors of yellow and orange and compares them to negative thoughts. “When you follow the lame uncertain curves for a little distance they suddenly commit suicide-plunge off at outrageous angles, destroy themselves in unheard-of contradictions” (Gilman 113). Sadly, her comparison of the wallpaper has a striking resemblance to her own life in her present condition. She feels trapped with no way out.
Ever wonder why this sort of thing matters? She was most likely suffering from post partum depression as earlier concluded. It’s a depression unlike anything else. Post partum depression is defined as “depression that may appear to be the baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks” (www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-depression). Other symptoms according to the Mayo Clinic are not limited to but are as follows, loss of appetite, insomnia, overwhelming fatigue, intense anger and irritability, feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy and the list goes on. In Jane’s particular case, one can guess her depression was severe and what the Mayo Clinic refers to as Postpartum Psychosis. Postpartum Psychosis is rare condition that typically develops within the first two weeks after delivery — the signs and symptoms are even more severe. Signs of postpartum psychosis are as follows, confusion and disorientation, hallucinations and delusions, paranoia, and attempts to harm yourself or the baby (www.mayoclinic.com). This matters because although post partum isn’t considered a sickness, it is a hormonal imbalance that affects the mother and can affect the rest of the family if not properly treated. “About 10 - 15% of women, especially first-time mothers, experience post-partum depression, a severe depression (sometimes accompanied by psychosis) that occurs within the first year after giving birth. The rapid decline of reproductive hormones that accompany childbirth is likely to play the major role in postpartum depression in susceptible women” (New York Times).
After reading a short autobiography about the narrator/author, one can conclude that she is a reliable source. “The Yellow Wallpaper” was closely based on her own experience (Gilman’s introduction 110). Gilman who immediately got pregnant after getting married at the age of twenty-four had a baby and fell into depression. A distinguished doctor known as S. Weir Mitchell treated her with his now infamous ‘rest cure’ which is identical to Jane’s treatment in the story. The inevitable result as Gilman wrote in her autobiography was “progressive insanity” (Gilman’s introduction 111). Gilman said that her own treatment drove her ‘as far as one could go toward insanity and get back’ (Gilman’s introduction 111). When she published this story in 1892, doctors praised the accuracy of psychological illustration and apparently Mitchell subsequently abandoned the rest cure (Gilman’s introduction 111).
Jane’s character is seemingly round; there are many facets to her character although John fails to notice. When John and Jane first moved into this mansion, Jane talked initially about the beauty of the garden, sunshine and she talks about yearning to be in the room downstairs with roses outlining the window. Jane appreciates nature’s beauty and desires to be a part of it. Jane also loves to write. Writing seems to calm her spirit and aid to her healing. John’s character seems to be flat. There isn’t much to John other than his incessant need to control the situation. His way of being in control is by belittling his wife and making it known that he knows what is best for her. Jane has mentioned that she loves to write but if John were to find out she would find herself opposite heavy opposition.
The general plot of the story starts off with good intensions. However, good intensions don’t amount to much if actions aren’t followed through. John initially seems to mean well, but as the story progresses it becomes clear that John is at a loss. He doesn’t know how to help his wife so he tries to take control of everything she does in order to convince himself that everything really is okay, when it isn’t. Jane’s depression seems to worsen by the day. The way she goes on about the wallpaper regardless of what else is going on, shows how deep she is falling. She starts off with what may be considered as mild to medium depression and she falls into insanity.
The theme affects both characters. While John tries convincing his wife and himself that everything is fine, that causes his wife to feel neglected. Jane at one point says “The fact is I am getting a little afraid of John. He seems very queer sometimes, and even Jennie has an inexplicable look (Gilman 122). The theme also seems to be part of what is driving Jane into this insanity. Jane starts to believe that there is some correlation between herself and the woman inside the wallpaper; as if they are both prisoners in the same room. Jane’s depression quickly progressed into insanity and proves that her case was worse than originally thought.
John brought Jane to this beautiful but isolated mansion that was far off the road and three miles from town (Gilman 112). John brought Jane to this mansion because he said their house needed repairs done; however John actually brought Jane to the mansion for her rest cure. In the mid 1800’s post partum depression was common I’m sure, but no one knew a treatment for it so the rest cure came about. Jane refers to this mansion as a haunted house; it’s beautiful but seems empty to her.
All in all, one can conclude the importance of staying open and aware to our surroundings and to pay close attention to those close to us. If behaviors change that is a sure sign something could be wrong. In light of having a child, it is not uncommon for the woman to experience depression. The Mayo Clinic has estimated that most women experience some form of the baby blues but a rare 10% are affected by postpartum depression which is considered more severe.