Postpartum Depression and “The Yellow Wallpaper” The descent into madness by the main character in “The Yellow Wallpaper” shows the impact of postpartum depression coupled with the oppression of women during the time period in which it was written. The author, Charlotte Gilman, suffered from postpartum depression herself and is considered the model for the main character and what she goes through, as chronicled in an article she later wrote in 1913 entitled “Why I Wrote The Yellow Wallpaper.” The
Author, Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s semi-autobiographical short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper”, portrays how women were treated in the era before postpartum depression was understood by the medical profession. Jane, a new mother, and the protagonist, in “The Yellow Wallpaper” was married to a physician of “high standing” and was treated like a caged animal instead of a human being (Gilman 486). As the story begins, Jane, her husband and new baby are moved into a summer home, which she despised, so
Postpartum Depression In the short story. "The Yellow Wallpaper" written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, we are introduced to a woman, the narrator, who suffers from postpartum depression, a disorder in women that results from childbirth. This disorder can have serious effects on the individual and may result in extreme behaviors such as suicide. (Mahoney 1) The narrator of the story is symbolic of Gilman, as she had experienced this illness after the birth of her daughter. (Gilman 181) Postpartum
"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Historical case of Postpartum Depression Several analyses have been made of the book "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman mostly focusing on patriarchal society as the main source of narrator’s mental illness. However, less has depicted acknowledgement of legitimate biological causes of depression. Postpartum depression is often diagnosed in women especially new mothers. This is characterized by mood swings, crying spells, anxiety
the current time period. For instance, in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Gilman the story deals with the issue of postpartum depression in new mothers. While postpartum depression is still a very real and current topic in today’s society. Current society handles the issue differently than when the “The Yellow Wallpaper” was written. The difference in modern day and past society is contributed to the increasing knowledge of postpartum depression that has led to a new view for society, improved
Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the narrator, Jane, has postpartum depression. In order to cure this depression, John, Jane’s husband and a doctor, administer the rest treatment on her. Gilman wrote “The Yellow Wallpaper” through her personal experience. Along with writing “The Yellow Wallpaper” she wrote an explanation for why she wrote “The Yellow Wallpaper.” Depression and isolation caused by the misdiagnosis caused Jane to go insane. The rest treatment was a common form of
Jane's Postpartum Depression in "The Yellow Wallpaper" In the "The Yellow Wallpaper," Charlotte Perkins Gilman describes her postpartum depression through the character of Jane. Jane was locked up for bed rest and was not able to go outside to help alleviate her nervous condition. Jane develops an attachment to the wallpaper and discovers a woman in the wallpaper. This shows that her physical treatment is only leading her to madness. The background of postpartum depression can be summarized by the
Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”, is a short story, published in the late 1800s, about one woman’s descent to madness. Finding herself plagued with postpartum depression after the birth of her son, the narrator’s ailment is overlooked by everyone around her. Her husband, “...a physician of high standing..” (Gilman) describes the narrator’s illness as “temporary nervous depression...a slight hysterical tendency.” Her brother and male doctor, also agree with this diagnosis and because
The effects of postpartum depression are elusive to most people. Many people believe they have something else, something less serious. Not only John from “The Yellow Wallpaper” get this mental illness confused with “Neurasthenia”. It is actually a very common mix up back then, some people would even believe she was suffering from “hysteria” due to the time period the short story was wrote in. This book was originally published in 1892, many things have most definitely changed since then. Knowing
In the well known story “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the narrator suffers greatly from postpartum depression which modern medicine has proven to be a serious disease. Even though the narrator's husband and brother are both doctor’s, it doesn’t necessarily mean she received the right care and treatment for her illness. The narrator’s husband believes that she has a nervous condition and that lots of rest, isolation, and inactivity will cure her. We come to find out that rest, isolation, and inactivity