Oppression of Women in the Nineteenth Century Uncovered In “The Yellow Wallpaper”

In literature, women are often portrayed in a way that is dominated by men. This domination extends well beyond literature and into society. Especially in the nineteenth century, women were repressed and controlled by their husbands as well as other male influences. In “The Yellow Wallpaper”, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the central character, who is purposefully left unnamed in order to symbolize any wife, mother, or woman, is oppressed and clearly represents the effect of the oppression of women in society in the nineteenth century. Gilman expresses this effect in “The Yellow Wallpaper” through her use of symbolism which portrays the character’s oppression and self-expression in society during the nineteenth century. Throughout the story, the narrator comes to recognize the cruelty in society’s treatment of women as well as how she herself is treated, and recognizing this, visualizes her suffering in the yellow wallpaper that takes over her life.
In almost every communi...