An Obstacle by C. P. Gilman - Essay Example

The matters the storyteller has to achieve are not only for herself but also in the ability of all of these duties, which she plays (Gilman, 2013). The "obstacle" she deals with is "Prejudice." It is imperative to note that it is capitalized, which not only indicates its significance but personifies it through granting it a proper name (Gilman, 2013). As the poem goes on, the personification involved here is confirmed, particularly in reference to "he." Lines such as “my strength and time were limited” and “I carried quite a load” proved that she was limited to accomplish her desires by men.

According to the speaker, this was a form of “prejudice.” In the age where Gilman lived, society commanded women live by a "code of conduct"—and; therefore, the speaker talks about "the obstacle" "civilly." "Huge and wide" mean how extensive this prejudice is: with the poet’s proclivity to writing feminist literature, this obstacle saturate all through every corner of society putting restrictions upon what a female is permitted to do or not (Gilman, 2013). When Prejudice beams, probably it is carried out patronizingly.