Problem of the Novel "The Yellow Wallpaper"
In this article, I will look at the narrator's lack of knowledge and paranoia, as well as the oppressive nature of society. I will also touch on the narrator's mental health problems. As I'll see, these elements come together to create an intriguing plot. But the novel itself is difficult to read without an understanding of the problem of oppression.
Narrator's paranoia
In the novel "The Yellow Wallpaper," the narrator describes the shift from a stable new mother to a delusional madwoman, and she describes the pattern that eventually reveals her insanity. Although the narrator herself was not a madwoman when she was younger, she was still trapped, and by allowing her mind to wander, she breaks free. However, her mental state depends on her writing.
The narrator begins to analyze the pattern on the yellow wallpaper, believing that the woman on the wallpaper represents the feeling of being trapped. You can also read about such a good point in the essay. As the story progresses, she believes that she has come out of the pattern, and has become one with the house and its domesticated discontent. Her obsession with the yellow wallpaper has taken her beyond normalcy. Ultimately, she reaches a psychological tipping point where she can no longer perform basic tasks.
Narrator's lack of knowledge
The narrator's inability to know the facts about a particular subject is a major theme of the novel, as she must lose herself in order to gain insight into the events that shape her life. As she struggles to untangle the pattern of her life, she must sacrifice herself in order to become free. After she splits from reality, she says "I've got out at last."
The narrator's lack of awareness is a significant theme throughout "The Yellow Wallpaper." Though the story is told from the perspective of an insane woman, the descriptions of the asylum and her increasing lassitude suggest that the woman in the story is not completely insane. The narrator's lack of knowledge creates an atmosphere of unease and confusion. The narrator's lack of knowledge is a prominent theme throughout the novel and a major reason for this.
Mental health problems
In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the protagonist demonstrates symptoms of mental illness at an early age. At this time, mental health was a taboo subject. Often, parents would lock their children in the basement or cellar to protect them from being exposed to their afflictions. Yet, this doesn't stop her from exhibiting symptoms of mental illness. Her husband does not trust her as a physician, and she becomes increasingly mad as a result.
As the author begins the novel, the narrator is exhausted. The day of July 4th leaves her tired and drained. She struggles to do her daily tasks and keep her mental health intact. She hides her writing from her husband but later writes about her experiences and how she narrowly escapes the mental ruin she had almost reached. This letter, written after she had finished writing, is not responded to by Mitchell.
Oppressive nature of society
The underlying themes in "The Yellow Wallpaper" concern the power imbalance between men and women. In a patriarchal society, the novel's characters are victims of the oppressive power of patriarchy. The protagonist, a woman with a difficult mental state, lives in a closed society, unable to meet other people or participate in social events. Because of her condition, she can only write in secret, which makes her communication with others difficult. Her mental imbalance and inability to change her social status make her feel isolated and deprived.
In the novel Yellow Wallpaper, the narrator's character is often described as a victim of gender inequality. The narrator observes that women who attempt to escape the oppressive power of men are always obstructed by the top pattern of the wallpaper. She cannot even climb through it, and this reflects the oppressive nature of society in general. Similarly, women who seek to escape the oppressive power of masculinity often lose their jobs, their reputations, and their respect.