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Postpartum Depression In The Yellow Wallpaper By Charlotte Perkins Gilman

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Postpartum Depression In The Yellow Wallpaper By Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Charlotte Perkins Gilman was an inspiring author, poet, and social activist. Gilman was born on July 3, 1860 in Hartford, Connecticut. Charlotte’s father, a relative of the famous writer Harriet Beecher Stowe, left her and her family when she was young. The absence of her father resulted in Charlotte’s mother raising two children on her own. Due to the fact that the family moved around frequently, Charlotte’s education was sporadic. However, Gilman was a strong and sagacious woman who achieved many great accomplishments in her time. After discovering she had incurable breast cancer, Charlotte committed suicide on August 17, 1935. The legacy of Charlotte lives on through her literary work and motivating messages. (BIOGRAPHY)
Although Gilman did not receive much education as a child, the determined woman did attend the Rhode Island School of Design and worked as a commercial artist. Soon after, Charlotte married artist Charles Walter Stetson. The two had a daughter together, Katharine, which resulted in Charlotte suffering from postpartum depression. Charles and Charlotte ended up separating, however she did remarry to her first cousin in 1900. Charlotte moved to California with Katharine in 1888, and it was at this time that Gilman became …show more content…
Over time, the woman becomes mentally unstable and believes there is another woman living in the wallpaper. The short story is based off of Charlotte’s personal experience with postpartum depression, which gives the story a deeper meaning. “The Yellow Wallpaper” is written in first person point of view and is the narrator’s private journal. Knowing that the woman is writing down her true feelings creates an emotional tone in the story, especially since the author has experienced a similar situation
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