The Yellow Wallpaper Analysis Essay
Many authors use objects to represent more than their literal meanings. Literary devices such as this can create depth and enhance the reading experience. Specifically in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Symbolism is apparent and used to emphasize allegorical concepts.
Gilman's descriptions of the nursery defines the idea that she is being treated not like herself, but like a child, and that her husband could care less about her problems. “He is very careful and loving, and hardly lets me stir without special direction. I have a schedule prescription for each hour in the day; he takes all care from me, and so I feel basely ungrateful not to value it more” (Gilman 2). Although the husband does care for her, it is like she …show more content…
It is apparent that the author feels society oppressive through her figurative use of bars. The main character’s visualization develops this concept; “At night in any kind of light, in twilight, candlelight, lamplight, and worst of all by moonlight, it becomes bars! The outside pattern I mean, and the woman behind it is as place can be” (Gilman 6). From this excerpt the reader can clearly tell the woman is trapped, metaphorically representing society’s use of the rest cure. The author reiterates the constant presence of the societal pressure through the concept of the smell; “The smell! ... It creeps all over the house. I find it hovering in the dining-room, skulking in the parlor, hiding in the hall, lying in wait for me on the stairs. It gets into my hair” (Gilman 7). The enduring presence of the smell implies that society pervasively treats mental illness without understanding the repercussions of their inappropriate treatment. Her sanity was slowly slipping away as evidenced by her plot. “It used to disturb me at first, I thought seriously of burning the house - to reach the smell” (Gilman
Gilman's descriptions of the nursery defines the idea that she is being treated not like herself, but like a child, and that her husband could care less about her problems. “He is very careful and loving, and hardly lets me stir without special direction. I have a schedule prescription for each hour in the day; he takes all care from me, and so I feel basely ungrateful not to value it more” (Gilman 2). Although the husband does care for her, it is like she …show more content…
It is apparent that the author feels society oppressive through her figurative use of bars. The main character’s visualization develops this concept; “At night in any kind of light, in twilight, candlelight, lamplight, and worst of all by moonlight, it becomes bars! The outside pattern I mean, and the woman behind it is as place can be” (Gilman 6). From this excerpt the reader can clearly tell the woman is trapped, metaphorically representing society’s use of the rest cure. The author reiterates the constant presence of the societal pressure through the concept of the smell; “The smell! ... It creeps all over the house. I find it hovering in the dining-room, skulking in the parlor, hiding in the hall, lying in wait for me on the stairs. It gets into my hair” (Gilman 7). The enduring presence of the smell implies that society pervasively treats mental illness without understanding the repercussions of their inappropriate treatment. Her sanity was slowly slipping away as evidenced by her plot. “It used to disturb me at first, I thought seriously of burning the house - to reach the smell” (Gilman