Summary of the work - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Short summary - The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a masterpiece of feminist literature that delves deep into the psyche of a woman who is suffering from postpartum depression. The story is narrated by an unnamed woman who has just given birth to a baby and is struggling to cope with her new role as a mother. The story is set during the late 19th century, a time when the oppression of women was rampant and mental illness was often misunderstood and mistreated.

The unnamed protagonist's husband, John, is a physician who believes that his wife's illness is purely physical and that rest and isolation is the best cure. He rents a colonial mansion in the countryside for the summer, hoping that the fresh air and peaceful surroundings will help his wife recover. However, instead of getting better, the woman's condition worsens as she becomes increasingly fixated on the wallpaper in her bedroom.

The first key moment in the story comes when the woman becomes obsessed with the wallpaper in her room. She spends hours staring at it, describing it in great detail and seeing patterns that are not really there. This fixation on the wallpaper becomes a symbol for the woman's deteriorating mental state, as she becomes more and more isolated from the world around her.

As the story progresses, the woman's mental state continues to decline. She becomes paranoid and starts to believe that there is a woman trapped behind the wallpaper. This delusion is a powerful metaphor for the woman's own feelings of confinement and entrapment within her marriage and society as a whole. The protagonist's husband, who is supposed to be her caretaker, dismisses her concerns and insists that she continue to rest.

The climax of the story is when the woman finally loses her grip on reality and begins to tear off the wallpaper in an attempt to free the woman she believes is trapped behind it. This moment is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of mental illness, as well as the ways in which women were often silenced and oppressed in the early 20th century.

The final scene of the story is both shocking and poignant. The protagonist's husband discovers her in a state of complete madness, and the story ends with the suggestion that she will be subjected to even more oppressive treatments in an attempt to cure her illness. The use of the first-person narration allows the reader to experience the protagonist's descent into madness and the despair that comes with being trapped in a life that is not one's own.

In addition to exploring the themes of mental illness and the oppression of women, "The Yellow Wallpaper" also delves into the power dynamics within a marriage. The protagonist's husband is portrayed as a well-meaning but ultimately oppressive figure who dismisses his wife's concerns and insists on treating her illness in a way that is harmful to her. This is a powerful commentary on the ways in which women's lives were often controlled by men, even in seemingly loving relationships.

Overall, "The Yellow Wallpaper" is a haunting and deeply moving work that explores some of the most complex issues facing women in the early 20th century. Through its powerful use of symbolism and vivid descriptions of mental illness, Gilman's story continues to resonate with readers today, and remains a vital piece of feminist literature. It is a testament to the power of literature to shine a light on the darker aspects of our society and to inspire change.