Of Men and Minds

Introduction

Charlotte Perkins yellow wallpaper was among the most criticized novels from the time it was published in 1852 in New England Magazine (Kirszner & Mandell, 1852, Pp. 394-405). The literary critics have been analyzed and criticized the novel from several perspectives, which include the perspectives of feminist and anti feminist approaches. Majority of the authors have criticized that the Yellow paper is a perspective of Gilman on the psychology of that time (Kirszner & Mandell, 1852, Pp. 394-405). The two major perspectives that are inclusive of the causes of psychology and depression from the literary point of view finding the causes of depression and the other perspective reflecting the patriarchy prevalent in the society leading to depression. Feminists have pointed out to the fact that the late nineteenth century when the problems between the male and sexes became particularly severe and women face oppression from men when they seek out work to become independent. Women of that era wanted to avoid the typical behavior of men at that time, who saw the women simply as reproductive counterpart and members to stay at home instead of partaking in worldly matters (Kohzadi & Azizmohammadi, p. 2246).

Discussion

The Yellow Wallpaper was one of the stories written by the Gillman where she described the story of Jane who was pushed farther into depression after she was put on ever increasing bed rest. John her husband, was a physician and he used to help her by not letting her think and move around.

“…I had less opposition and more society and stimulus—but John says the very worst thing I can do is to think about my condition, and I confess it always makes me feel bad….”(Kirszner & Mandell, 1852, Pp. 394-405)

This condition of rest dragged her further into depression and she eventually starts ...