Charlotte Perkins Gillman, a woman suffering with mental illness and depression, writes “The Yellow Wallpaper” to expose the feelings of her misunderstood condition. In doing so, she also raises concerns on how women are being viewed and treated by society in that era. At first, commentators classify the short story as a gothic fiction, not giving much importance to the meaning behind the short story. But, according to Journalist Barbara Hochman, many writers, reviewers, and educators point out that this short story has a commitment to fiction “with a purpose”. Gillman feels that by writing, she is able to raise awareness for those women, who not only are suffering with mental illness, but are being treated less than men. Because doctors are only conducting medical research on men to cure diseases, women are left with being diagnosed as mentally ill if they don’t fall under any other category of illness. Gilman is frustrated that instead of finding what is wrong, her doctors and family continuously tell her what and what not to do, which worsens the conditions of her mental illness. In search of a physical and even more so a mental breakthrough, Gilman writes “The Yellow Wallpaper” in hopes of revolutionizing society’s views towards women.
Hochman, B. “The Reading Habit and “The Yellow Wallpaper”.” American Literature, vol. 74 no. 1, 2002, pp. 89-110. Project MUSE, muse.jhu.edu/article/1779.
Carmen Elena Galvan 