Theme Of Yellow Wallpaper And The Story Of An Hour

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Recommended: “The Yellow Wallpaper” explores into different roles of women

Victoria Ray
Professor S. Smith
ENGL 2201 020
28 February 2016
Points of View Support Themes: “Yellow Wallpaper” and “Story of a Hour”
Authors use many different elements to portray the theme of a work of literature, such as the point of view, setting, symbolism, and plot. Point of view can play a very important role in communicating the theme, based on who is narrating the story and what the narrator chooses to tell the reader. In two short stories, “Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and “The Story of an Hour” written by Kate Chopin, the different points of view aid the author in sharing the themes of the stories, and play a vital part in how readers interpret these themes. The points of view in each story support and address
Through the voice of the narrator, it is evident that women are viewed as inferior to the men and the theme of the subordination of women is easily delivered through the narrator’s thoughts. The narrator believes that if her husband, John, was not her doctor, her condition would improve, and even states, “You see, he does not believe I am sick,” (Gilman 655). She continues to discuss how she disagrees with her husband’s opinions on her wellbeing, but there are not any other actions for her to pursue. Although the narrator enjoys writing and she feels better afterwards, she is not allowed to write due to her illness, despite her opinions that it would be helpful (656). Moreover, her husband does not truly listen to her when she talks about what she prefers about her treatment or the home, even when she simply asks to change bedrooms (657). Due to the use of first person, the narrator is able to clarify how her opinions are disregarded and how she is treated as a child. The theme of subordination of women is clearly depicted with the narrator’s opinions on her treatment and lifestyle, and the reader is able to understand why she feels suppressed. The author communicates thoroughly through the narrator and main character to ensure readers comprehend the suppression she must overcome, while also providing readers with the insight that she does not even realize how much she is

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