Tuesday, 21 May 2013

The Yellow Wallpaper Feminist Criticism

When we discuss feminism we assume that women have the same human rights as men, the same opportunities regarding their individual choices in their careers, politics and self expression. Feminist texts state that there is an oppression to women via the patriarchal powers. Normally a feminist text is produced by a female and will point out varied digressions. As Ames (2011) informs 'in a work of fiction, the main character, or heroine, personifies the social struggle against male domination.' The Yellow Wallpaper embodies the female struggle when seeking freedom of thought. It is clear that in the late nineteenth century when this text was published (1892) the author, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, recognised the female struggles; becauase of a society run by men. This is made clear through the prominent male characters and the theme of male dominance is seen through the Narrators physician husband John, and the brief reference to Dr. Mitchell. Evidence suggests further dominance through the environment in which the Narrator is placed; together these elements highlight the imprisonment of both nineteenth and twentieth century women and this control they had held over them by men. The Yellow Wallpaper is therefore a perfect example of a feminist text, it acknowledges the oppressive husband that attempts to save his wife but instead contributes to her mental breakdown, sending her mad. The story illustrates how established protocols of behaviour could have devastating effects on the women of Gilman's time (Ames, 2011).

Initially the husband is portrayed as thedominating spouse, and he holds complete control over his wife, the Narrator. He arguably, talks to her in a child-like derogative manner, he treats her as an inferior believing his wife's ideas, thoughts and creativness as laughable. It is only when the Narrator takes control of his own thoughts that the character roles are reversed. John was once a strong, protective husband becomes womanised, 'Now why should that man have fainted?' (Gilman, 2013: p12). Furthermore as Andrews (2010) states, 'in accepting her delirium, Jane has reversed the traditional roles of mother and wife; John's shock at this reversal shows further need to control his wife, lest he be seen as a"woman" by society.' Maybe the names are specific to the cause John and Jane 'Doe' this man and wife could represent any husband and any wife?

By constructing specialist sentences, along with metaphoric references that create specific imagery of which implies male oppression. It is also arguable that Charlotte Perkins Gilman's feminist views and experiences that helped to produce the dialogue of the Narrator. She is seemingly a character that tries to resist authority, 'I did write for a while in spite of them' (Gilman, 2013: p2). The desire to express herself through her creativness was restricted through her science inspired husband; she feels that through her writing she can express secrets which she believes she could not air to her husband. The use of her writing in her journalhides her thoughts from her husband and society; the fact that her husband has complete control and responsibility over his wife has left the Narrator feeling useless, alone, under pressure and imprisoned. Due to the pressures of the nineteenth centuries society the Narrator is made to feel gratefulto her husband for eliminating the need for her own self thought.

The story takes place in the top floor nursery, the Narrators confinement and the feminist views here are enhanced by the Narrators unhealthy surroundings. It is arguable whether to consider the Narrator as a prisoner to her husband? The wallpaper also enhances the repression, and the fact that her husband will not change her environment emphasises his masculine superiority over his wife. Ames (2011) argues 'the paper itself, though not physically restraining her like the gates and bars, represents a psychological prison. All of her thoughts are devoted entirely to the paper; she is captivated by it, unable to pull her mind from the strange allure of its pattern. This all connects to the image of the woman trappedbehind the paper; the protagonist's mind is not freed until the end of the story, when she has removed most of the paper.'

This text can be used as a creative tool to decrypt and present feminist findings, they illustrate the physical and mental hardship of women, all expressed through the characterisation of the husband, the wife and their environment; and that the pyschological problems they faced were placed upon them by society. Gilman was a firm believer that in order to be free of these struggles, gender roles must be removed from the social order for women to ever be free in society. 
       

No comments:

Post a Comment