Essay On The Dynamic Character In The Yellow Wallpaper

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Charlotte Gilman’s protagonist in “The Yellow Wallpaper” is a dynamic character whose mental condition deteriorates throughout the story. The narrator’s mental stability worsens as the story progresses. Additionally, her perspective of the wallpaper changes with her mental demise. Through the dynamic transition of the narrator, Gilman develops a thought-provoking story. The narrator’s condition worsens due to the fact that she is cooped up in the house all day and is not able to see anyone except her husband, her baby, and the people working in the house. John, her husband who doubles as her physician, prescribes rest, medicines, and no work. Whenever she asks to see family, her request is immediately turned down. This is illustrated in her recording of his comment, “he says he would as soon put fireworks in my pillow-case as to let me have those stimulating people about now.” Without having change in her life, she continues to live and do the same monotonous activities during the day which contribute to her lack of mental activity and stimulation. …show more content…

In the beginning of the story, all she wants to do is write in her journal all the time . She enjoys writing about her thoughts and feelings. Although John does not approve of her writing because he says it tires her and does not contribute to her resting, she continues to do so. She writes long paragraphs in the beginning describing her day, but, as she becomes obsessed with the wallpaper, the writing demonstrates how the wallpaper is everywhere and never leaves her. “I find it hovering in the dining-room, skulking in the parlor, hiding in the hall, lying in wait for me on the stairs.” By the end of the story, her journal entries are short, concise, and not very detailed, thus conveying her transition from thinking about life and activities to her constant attention to the yellow

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