Essay Comparing The Yellow Wallpaper And A Streetcar Named Desire
Despite the fact that Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” and Tennessee Williams’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” were published in different centuries, it reveals that the worrisome treatment of women have been prevalent throughout the history of American culture and society. While “The Yellow Wallpaper” mainly deals with the mistreatment of women by their husbands in the 19th century and how confined their lives were while the men had full control and respect, “A Streetcar Named Desire” illustrates that even though times have changed, gender roles were still prominent and being feminine was still ridiculed. William’s play emphasizes the notion that even in the 1940’s nothing has really changed from the time of Gilman’s story to
…show more content…
Deliberate cruelty is not forgiveable. It is the most unforgiveable thing in my opinion, and the one thing in which I have never, ever been guilty” (1161).
Point C: Both authors use symbolism in the texts to highlight the women’s madness. It’s as if the authors are going back and forth by using the wallpaper as one and the light as the other. The wallpaper symbolizes a cage and the domestic life that traps so many women. The light and paper lantern symbolizes the reality of Blanche’s past— which is her first love, her purpose in life, her dignity, etc.
1. Supporting Passages from Gilman:
1) “There are things in that paper that nobody knows but me, or ever will” (493).
2) “Behind that outside pattern the dim shapes get clearer every day. It is always the same shape, only very numerous. And it is like a woman stooping down and creeping about behind that pattern. I don’t like it a bit. I wonder—I begin to think—I wish John would take me away from here!” (493).
2. Supporting Passages from Williams:
1) “I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action” (1123).
2) “And then the searchlight which had been turned on the world was turned off again and never for one moment since has there been any light that's stronger than this--kitchen—candle”
Deliberate cruelty is not forgiveable. It is the most unforgiveable thing in my opinion, and the one thing in which I have never, ever been guilty” (1161).
Point C: Both authors use symbolism in the texts to highlight the women’s madness. It’s as if the authors are going back and forth by using the wallpaper as one and the light as the other. The wallpaper symbolizes a cage and the domestic life that traps so many women. The light and paper lantern symbolizes the reality of Blanche’s past— which is her first love, her purpose in life, her dignity, etc.
1. Supporting Passages from Gilman:
1) “There are things in that paper that nobody knows but me, or ever will” (493).
2) “Behind that outside pattern the dim shapes get clearer every day. It is always the same shape, only very numerous. And it is like a woman stooping down and creeping about behind that pattern. I don’t like it a bit. I wonder—I begin to think—I wish John would take me away from here!” (493).
2. Supporting Passages from Williams:
1) “I can't stand a naked light bulb, any more than I can a rude remark or a vulgar action” (1123).
2) “And then the searchlight which had been turned on the world was turned off again and never for one moment since has there been any light that's stronger than this--kitchen—candle”