The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote this short literary gem in 1892. An active feminist and non-fiction writer, Gilman’s many other books addressed the harmful effects of women’s societal and legal subservience. She writes that without the autonomy to make decisions about their lives, women suffer under the weight of their subjugation. In ‘The Yellow Wallpaper,’ Gilman narrows her focus to the sexual politics of marriage.

A woman, whose name is unknown, and her husband, John, travel to the country so that she might rest after the birth of their child. John is a doctor and believes his wife has a “temporary nervous depression – slight hysterical tendency.” Her husband is not cruel but arrogant, condescending, and distant. He doesn’t see his wife as a person. The woman is exhausted trying to be what he wants her to be, “I take pains to control myself- before him, at least, and that makes me very tired.” In short order, this novel indicts the sexism of marriage and the condescension of doctors.

This woman narrator has tried to conform to the norms of her day - keeping house and bearing children. She wants to write, but her husband believes it will hinder her recovery. But without autonomy, her sanity is at stake. Her soul is crushed by the realization that societal norms, including her marriage, imprison her. No spoiler, but the yellow wallpaper and her emotional stability intertwine.

Women’s lives have improved since 1892. Women can vote, own property, attend college, pursue a career, and travel alone. Women and men marry for love and embrace equality. Women certainly have more independence. And yet, women’s rights are still under assault. The ERA has yet to pass, the Supreme Court has struck down Roe v. Wade, and contraception is on the chopping block.

When I read this book 40 years ago, I thought it was a historical glimpse into the treatment of women at the end of the 19th century. Rereading it, I am saddened that some people in power want to return to a time when men control women, even in marriage.

Gilman’s ability to convey so much in one short story speaks to her skill. ‘The Yellow Paper’ illuminates the cruel cost of women’s oppression and is a reminder that the struggle continues. 4/5