Gender Inequality In The Yellow Wallpaper

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PPPP Inequality is something that 's plagued almost every society throughout time. Whether it be one 's skin color to the paycheck a person makes, its a prominent disbalance that 's thrown off every culture. One group subjected to such torment has been females. Women were disparaged against well into the 20th century and were only seen fit for domestic functions. Charlotte Gilman 's short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper” challenges the social normalities of the early eighteenth century. While back in its time period this novel was read as a tale of horror, now being a more cultivated society, audiences can depict this short story for what Gilman truly intended. “The Yellow Wallpaper” contrasts the roles of men and women, and shows how unhealthy …show more content…

Women are represented as the homemakers and mothers and lie well beneath the rule of their husbands, “It is fortunate Mary is so good with the baby” (132). Mary is expected by society to be a good mother. As a social norm Mary can only be “good” at domestic functions and is expected to stay home and take care of what her dominate male figure provides. Men are depicted as the authoritative figures within the household, they are the ones who are respected among society. Within “The Yellow Wallpaper” most men are employed as physicians, a symbol of the respect and intelligence the male figure holds. John, Jane 's husband, is a high ranking physician, “John is practical in the extreme [… ] John […] is a physician of high standing” (131). John believes due to his education and social status that he has the power to assert himself above Jane, viewing his assertion as the overall good of her health. Being dulled down to an almost adolescent level of ignorance, women instead of questioning inequality, would view male dominance as standard staple of society. Jane 's thoughts and desires are minimized by John, she is unable to have power of even the tiniest elements , …show more content…

John keeping Jane in her room at almost all times and encourages that she keeps a quiet mind and not think of her condition, something Jane finds impossible. Jane 's mind through runs rampant often focusing not only on her illness but even subliminally questioning John 's role as her Doctor and Husband. John even forbids her from writing as a part of this cure, something that Jane knows could help her condition, “There comes John, and I must put this away,—he hates to have me write a word” (133). John abuses the Doctor Husband relationship he has with Jane since he holds his resting cure hypothesis, over Janes real emotions. John by using the resting cure tries to mold Jane 's thoughts and emotions, something that try as he might, is the only thing he can 't physically control. The Journal symbolizes the control John has over Jane. Jane feels that she must hide her writings from John similar to how a child hides something from their parents, demonstrating Jane adolescent like role. John thought for the most part is scared of the power he loses by Jane writing. Jane having an independent voice means she could be able to build up her ideas and could question John, something he is terrified off because it endangers the social structure that he lies on top

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