The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - Research Paper Example

The narrator gives an account of her life under a certain mental condition, and how she was secluded from the rest and kept in an upstairs room. Critics have argued that this story was on the writer’s own life. Like the protagonist, Gilman was once medically advised to keep off any intellectual stimulation and physical activities. Charlotte married in 1884, and later gave birth to Katherine, her only child. She later suffered from postpartum depression. During this time, very little was known about the condition.

Women were generally viewed as hysterical, frail, and nervous, and the cause of such a condition was, therefore, unknown. She was advised to get a bed rest, avoid any stimulation or stress, and advised to isolate from the family. Gilman tried following the advice, but her situation worsened to the extent that she almost became mad. She, therefore, rebelled against the advice and began writing, The Yellow Wallpaper being the result of her writing. It is arguable that this story criticizes the role that the society placed on women and the late Victorian era mental treatment.

The Yellow Wall paper is generally an intimidating story of a woman with a deteriorating mental condition. From a careful analysis of the story, it is arguable that this woman is suffering from postpartum depression. . John her husband, who is also her doctor, advices her to take a bed rest and do nothing active. She is also advised not to write. During the time when the story was set, this treatment given to her was common for women suffering from postpartum depression. Moreover, during this time in history, women suffering from postpartum depression after being advised to get a bed rest felt that they needed to do something active.

For instance, the narrator in this story complains John belittles her thoughts, illness, and concerns. She argues that to her, freedom, activity, and work would help her feel better (Jean and Gilman 56). This feeling moves her to begin writing a journal, though she does it secretly. She prefers describing the house because thinking of her condition makes her feel bad. Another factor form the story that convinces the reader that the narrator is suffering from postpartum depression is her statement that Mary is doing well with the baby.

She further says that though the baby is dear, she cannot stay with him, because he makes her feel nervous. This tells us that the narrator is suffering from postpartum depression. This is because it the birth of babies has been known to be one of the major causes of postpartum depression. The fact that she loves the baby but cannot be with him evidences that she suffers from postpartum depression. She even goes further to say that, she can stand the wallpaper better that she can stand the baby.

This further evidences her condition. A further evidence form the story that the narrator is suffering from postpartum depression is her reaction to her doctor’s instruction. Since she