What Was Gilman’S Most Likely Reason For Sending A Copy Of Her Story To Her Former Physician?1

Charlotte Perkins Gilman's primary reason for sending a copy of her story "The Yellow Wallpaper" to her former physician, Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, was to criticize and expose the harmful effects of the "rest cure" treatment he had prescribed to her. Gilman had personal experience with this treatment, having been subjected to it herself, and she wanted to highlight the detrimental impact it had on her mental and emotional well-being.
"The Yellow Wallpaper" is a semi-autobiographical work that explores the experiences of a woman suffering from postpartum depression who is prescribed the rest cure by her physician husband. This treatment, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, involved strict bed rest, isolation, and limited intellectual stimulation. It aimed to cure various mental and physical ailments, particularly in women. However, it often resulted in worsened mental health, as it denied women any meaningful activity and intellectual engagement, leading to feelings of confinement and frustration.
By sending her story to Dr. Mitchell, Gilman sought to confront the medical establishment's misguided treatment practices, especially in the context of women's mental health. She used the story as a powerful and vivid critique of the rest cure, showcasing the protagonist's gradual descent into madness as a result of the treatment. The story vividly illustrates the isolation, loss of agency, and deterioration of the protagonist's mental state due to the rest cure, reflecting Gilman's own painful experience.
Gilman's intention was not merely to criticize Dr. Mitchell personally but to challenge the broader medical and societal attitudes toward women's mental health. She hoped to influence a reevaluation of the prevailing medical practices of her time, advocating for more compassionate and rational approaches to women's health. By sharing her personal story through fiction, she made a powerful statement about the importance of recognizing women's autonomy and mental well-being.
In a broader context, "The Yellow Wallpaper" can be seen as a feminist work that highlights the oppression and lack of agency experienced by many women in the patriarchal society of the time. Gilman used her writing as a means of advocating for social change, particularly in the realm of women's health and autonomy.