Breaking Down The Literary Devices in "The Yellow Wallpaper"

Introduction: Literary Analysis of Gilman’s Work

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s "The Yellow Wallpaper" isn’t just a story about mental illness. It’s packed with symbolism, tone shifts, and character dynamics that help drive home the deeper meaning. The narrator’s struggle with her mental health, along with the way her husband controls her, offers a clear look at how women were viewed in the late 19th century. This analysis dives into the literary techniques Gilman used to tell this powerful story.

Tone as a Reflection of Mental Decline

The tone of the story plays a big role in showing how the narrator’s mental state deteriorates. At first, her journal entries are calm, but as time goes on, they become more scattered. She writes things like, “It’s getting harder to think straight,” which makes us wonder if she’s losing her grip on reality. Her obsession with the wallpaper grows, and the tone shifts from frustration to a kind of frantic energy. By the end, when she’s ripping the wallpaper off the walls, her tone is wild and chaotic, reflecting her complete break from reality.

The Yellow Wallpaper: A Symbol of Entrapment

The yellow wallpaper in the narrator’s room isn’t just ugly decor — it’s a symbol of her mental and physical confinement. As she becomes more fixated on it, she starts to see a woman trapped behind the pattern, which mirrors how she feels trapped by her husband and by society’s expectations. The bars on the windows of her room also symbolize this confinement. Gilman uses these details to show how restricted the narrator feels in her role as a wife and mother. The wallpaper’s chaotic, confusing design also reflects the confusion in the narrator’s mind.

John: The Loving but Controlling Husband

John, the narrator’s husband, seems caring on the surface, but his actions are controlling. He dismisses his wife’s feelings and tells her what’s best for her, never really listening to what she needs. John is a doctor, so he thinks he knows best, but his treatment plan only makes things worse. His attitude reflects how women’s voices were often dismissed by men in power. John’s condescending remarks, like “there’s no reason to suffer,” show how little he understands his wife’s struggles. He’s not a villain in the traditional sense, but his actions have a huge negative impact on the narrator’s mental health.

Jennie: Another Layer of Control

Jennie, John’s sister, is a minor character, but she adds another layer to the story. Like John, Jennie believes that writing is bad for the narrator, reflecting the societal belief that women should focus on domestic duties instead of intellectual pursuits. Jennie’s role is to show how even women could uphold the values of a patriarchal society, sometimes without even realizing it.

Climax: The Wallpaper Comes Down

The climax of the story is when the narrator locks herself in the bedroom and tears down the wallpaper, determined to free the woman she believes is trapped behind it. This act of destruction symbolizes her desire to break free from the constraints placed on her by society and by her husband. By the time John gets into the room, the narrator has fully embodied the woman she imagined behind the wallpaper. Her final words — “I’ve got out at last” — show that, in her mind, she’s finally free, though this freedom comes at the cost of her sanity.

Conclusion: The Power of Literary Devices in "The Yellow Wallpaper"

Charlotte Perkins Gilman used tone, symbolism, and character interactions to create a haunting story about mental illness, gender roles, and societal expectations. Through the narrator’s journey, Gilman critiques the way women were treated, especially when it came to their mental health. The yellow wallpaper, the shifting tone, and the controlling characters all work together to build a powerful narrative that challenges outdated views on women’s roles.