The Effects Of Postpartum Depression In The Yellow Wallpaper

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†, is a short story, published in the late 1800s, about one woman’s descent to madness. Finding herself plagued with postpartum depression after the birth of her son, the narrator’s ailment is overlooked by everyone around her. Her husband, â€Å"...a physician of high standing..† (Gilman) describes the narrator’s illness as â€Å"temporary nervous depression...a slight hysterical tendency.† Her brother and male doctor, also agree with this diagnosis and because so, the narrator is forced to go through a rather peculiar treatment plan that was commonly practiced on women who were considered hysterical during that time period. Considered a societal norm this treatment plan, created by the dominate male,†¦show more content†¦In the beginning of her loggings, the narrator explains that she disagrees with her husband, brother and doctor’s idea of treatment, and states, â €Å"Personally, I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good,† (Gilman). She follows this statement with the question, â€Å"But what is one to do?† Clearly influenced by male oppression and ideals of women, the narrator herself believes that she is unable to follow her own wishes to better her health and overall state of mind. Her only rebellion is in the form of her writing---a creative outlet that is unwanted by her husband as it is a mental stimulation and considered work. Though she is in fear of being caught, she still writes. She believes that it would be easier to stop, so that she doesn’t have to be go Sanchez 3 through drastic lengths to hide it. She explains her husband doesn’t allow her to do anything without â€Å"special instruction.† She is not even allowed to pick her own room, and instead is instructed to sleep in a â€Å"nursery at the top of the house†. This nursery room comes fully equipped with barred windows and a bedstead that is nailed to the floor. It is also in this bedroom that she is met with the infamous yellow wallpaper. Paula A. Treichler, of the University of Illinois, explains that the yellow wallpaper, â€Å"... represent(s) (among other things) the ‘pattern’ which underliesShow MoreRelatedYellow: The Color of Postpartum Depression854 Words   |  3 PagesWomen have long felt the emotional, psychological and physical effects of child bearing. Before modern medicine, these mental struggles were said to be nothing more than nervousness. In The Yellow Wallpaper a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gillman, the narrator is a young woman who has recently given birth, during the late 19th century. After giving birth she has fallen victim of postpartum depression. When a woman becomes pregnant her body immediately starts to produce hormones in excess. TheseRead MoreThe Impact Of Postpartum Depression In The Yellow Wallpaper1215 Words   |  5 Pagesthe current time period. For instance, in â€Å"The Yellow Wal lpaper† by Charlotte Gilman the story deals with the issue of postpartum depression in new mothers. While postpartum depression is still a very real and current topic in today’s society. Current society handles the issue differently than when the â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† was written. The difference in modern day and past society is contributed to the increasing knowledge of postpartum depression that has led to a new view for society, improvedRead MoreYellow Wallpaper and Postpartum Depression711 Words   |  3 PagesPostpartum Depression In the short story. 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Charlotte Perkins Gillam uses her short story, The Yellow Wallpaper as a weapon to help break down the walls surrounding women, society has put up. This story depicts the life of a young woman struggling with postpartum depression, whose serious illness is overlooked, by her physician husband, because of her gender. Gillman s writing expresses the feelings of isolation, disregarded, and