The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
First published in 1892 in the New England Magazine, The Yellow Wallpaper is said by many to be Charlotte Perkins Gilman best short story. This is the first story I have read by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. If her other shorts are only half as good as The Yellow Wallpaper, I want to read them all.
Narrated in the first person by an un-named woman, The Yellow Wallpaper delves into the woman's post-partum depression. Her husband, John takes her to a rented summer home, where she is kept in a roon with yellow wallpaper, that use to be a nursery. Her husband/doctor prescribed total rest without any stimulation what so ever. She is not even allowed to see her baby.
The woman thinks that some work, going outside, and meeting with friends would help her but her husband will not allow it. So the woman goes about stimulating herself by staring at the ugly yellow wall paper for hours at a time. She notices different patterns and shapes where the wallpaper has torn away from the wall and eventually she sees that there is a woman trapped in the wallpaper.
Total rest and no stimulation was the prescription for postpartum depression and depression for women back then. Both were viewed by men as "in the woman's head" rather than an actual disease. Luckily things have changed. Now exercise other stimulating activities are seen as very beneficial.
This is a gem of a story. It's very deep and contemplative and explores the treatment of women. Ms. Gilman had trouble getting anyone to publish it at first. I would guess that it dug a little too deeply into woman's issues. Highly recommended. You can read it here.
Also reviewed by:
Also reviewed by:
If you reviewed this story as well, please leave a link and I will post it. Also, if you have any other writing by Charlotte Perkins Gilman to recommend, please leave a comment. Of course any and all comments are always welcome.
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Gilman packs so much in so few pages - there's definitely lots to think about here!
Ana S. said... December 20, 2010 at 1:23 AM
I'm just stopping in to wish you and yours Happy Holidays!
Lezlie
Lezlie said... December 20, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Nymeth, there sure is. It would make for an excellent book club discussion.
Lezlie, Happy Holidays to you and your's as well!
Teddy Rose said... December 20, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Hi-glad to see your post on this wonderful story-here is a link to my blog post on it
http://rereadinglives.blogspot.com/2010/04/yellow-wall-paper-by-charlotte-perkins.html
Mel u said... December 20, 2010 at 10:12 PM
Sounds fantastic-- I bookmarked it for later.
John Mutford said... December 21, 2010 at 7:42 AM
Mel u, I am on my way to read yours.
John,it's geared more towards women but it would be great to get a man's perspective on it.
Teddy Rose said... December 21, 2010 at 10:23 PM
It's a great story!
It might have been geared towards women when it was written, but I think men enjoy it too. It's not "chick lit"!
Em
Anonymous said... December 22, 2010 at 1:51 PM
Emeire, I'm so glad you see it that way. I wasn't sure what a guy would think. I don't read "chick lit". I can't stand it, but I loved this story.
Teddy Rose said... December 22, 2010 at 10:08 PM
I really liked this story! Definitely very well-written, with a lot to think about. And so, so scary, too! I thought it was fantastic.
Aarti said... December 24, 2010 at 2:20 PM
Oh, this sounds like a VERY interesting read! And such a sign of the times! I've added this to my TBR list.
Laura H. said... December 24, 2010 at 2:43 PM
Aarti, it has really stuck with me. I keep going back to it over and over again in my head. It's a story I know I will want to read again.
Laura, I think you would really like it. I would love to read your thought when you read it.
Teddy Rose said... December 24, 2010 at 10:30 PM
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