The Yellow Wallpaper Feminist

For years now men and women have been assigned their own social roles that complement each other. However, throughout history there are many examples of women not being able to enjoy and express the same freedoms that men have. Even in today's modern age, society's perspective has drastically changed over the years. If a woman were to go against the social norms that have been placed on her, it would be considered unusual and perhaps they might even be looked down upon for how they chose to express themselves. So then came the creation of feminism, which is the advocacy of women's rights to be equal to that of men in society. Donald Hall, an American literary critic, argues in his book Literary and Cultural Theory that the “key to all feminist …show more content…
These principles are the foundations of all the core beliefs that feminist share and the work they create to express them. He communicates in his book that, “Language, institutions and social power structures have reflected patriarchal interest throughout much of history; this has had a profound impact on women’s ability to express themselves and the quality of their lives” (202). Charlotte Perkins Gilman, a writer and social reformer, is best known for her short story “The Yellow Wallpaper”. In it the main character, whose name is not given anywhere throughout the story, creates a journal to satisfy her needs of being able to express herself. However, back during the 19th century, it was considered to be unusual for women to write down any thoughts or ideas that they had. The unnamed protagonist writes during one of her sessions that, “There comes John, and I must put this away,-he hates to have me write a word” (649). The character expresses that she cannot let John, her husband, see her write anything down and it can be inferred that if this were to happen then she would receive some sort of punishment for it. Authors that were women had much difficulty that they would experience in the 19th century, but writing was one of the ways that women could use to express their individuality. This can also have an effect on these women's health, particularly on their mentality. Males have …show more content…
Referring back Hall and his key principles, he states that “For some feminist, the most important way to resist patriarchy is to challenge laws and other institutional barriers to women’s equality” (205). Kate Chopin, considered by some to be the forerunner of feminist authors in the 20th century, created short stories and novels such as “The Story of an Hour” and “The Awakening” respectively. The latter introduces to us Edna Pontellier, the main protagonist of the story. Set during the end of the 19th century, Edna’s perspective on motherhood and femininity changes throughout the narrative. During chapter 4, the term “mother-women” is coined and are described; “It was easy to know them, fluttering about with extended, protecting wings when any harm, real or imaginary, threatened their precious brood. They were women who idolized their children, worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels”