Essay On Charlotte Perkins Gildman's The Yellow Wallpaper

The Yellow Wallpaper, a semi-autobiographical novel written by Charlotte Perkins Gildman, first wave feminist theoretician, in 1892, is questioning the social norms that were presented in the 19th century. The author elaborates on the connection between gender division and the effect it had on women. It is interesting to see how and why the author, known for her social activism and involvement in a feminist movement, decided to portray male in the novel.
Gildman explores the nature of the relationship between woman and man, noticing how male’s authority and his need to patronize and dominate the female has lead to imprisoning her in a childish state, preventing her full personal development. As Charlotte Perkins Gilman points out, it all comes full circle. Withdrawal of personal freedom and possibilities of
The author used this situation as a metaphor for dehumanisation that occurred due to authoritative approach that John has to his wife. It feels like there is a sense of ownership in the way John refers to her :”He took me in his arms and called me a blessed little goose”, “He said I was his darling and all he had, and that I must take care of myself for his sake, and keep well”. Moreover, John seems to know best what the Narrator is going through “You know the place is doing you good," and has the power to make decisions for her“I tried to have a real earnest reasonable talk with. him the other day, and tell him how I wish he would let me go and make a visit to Cousin Henry and Julia. But he said I wasn't able to go” , Following Merlau’s Ponty phenomenology theory, which indicates that an object is defined by its relationship with other objects, we can say that man in the story is portrayed as a social class oppressing women, restricting their freedom as human beings, and therefore dehumanising