Imposed Insanity

Women in the turn of the century and before and after have been treated as a weak gender. In “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the main character is plagued with a nervous disorder, which is termed hysteria. She is given the infamous bed rest remedy; the name says it all. Her husband and her brother are both physician’s and they know best. She tries her best to fulfill their wishes. She doubts them at some instances, then she finds herself tired, and ultimately she goes mad from being pent up with nothing to do. By writing this story Gilman comments of the treatment of women during her time. Women are considered delicate objects and if we are left alone our ailments will go away all by themselves. The doctors during that time thought it inane to treat a disease that if given enough rest would go away. It did not seem worth their time to treat a crazy woman. Women are not allowed to voice their opinions, which can be a cause of mental distress. Given t...