The Yellow Wallpaper

by Charlotte Perkins Stetson

"The Yellow Wallpaper" is a classic novella written by American author Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Published in 1892, this compelling and thought-provoking work of feminist literature has garnered significant attention over the years, leading to steady sales and enduring popularity. Set in the late 19th century, the story revolves around a nameless female narrator who is struggling with what is then diagnosed as "nervous depression" or "hysteria." Her husband, John, who is also her physician, prescribes the "rest cure," a common treatment at the time. As part of this treatment, the narrator is confined to a room in their summer house, isolated from the outside world, and forbidden from any intellectual or creative activity. The only stimulus she has is the room's yellow wallpaper, which she becomes increasingly fixated upon. The novella is a powerful exploration of the protagonist's descent into madness as she grapples with her confinement, the stifling expectations of society, and her own deteriorating mental state. The yellow wallpaper itself becomes a symbol of her inner turmoil and the oppressive nature of the patriarchal society she inhabits. Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote "The Yellow Wallpaper" as a form of social commentary, critiquing the prevailing medical and societal attitudes towards women's mental health and autonomy. The book's feminist themes, vividly depicted psychological horror, and its critique of the medical establishment struck a chord with readers then and continues to resonate with modern audiences. Over the years, "The Yellow Wallpaper" has been studied in literature courses, feminist discussions, and mental health contexts. Its enduring relevance and powerful message have contributed to consistent sales and a lasting legacy in the world of literature. This classic novella continues to captivate and challenge readers, making it a must-read for those interested in exploring the intersection of gender, mental health, and societal norms.

Genres: Classics, Short Stories, Horror, Fiction, Feminism, Gothic, Read For School

33 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2023

Reviews

[Rachel Sandler]

Girl, kill him, you deserve a treat.

[Haley Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

fiction but make it feminist resistance. well yes!! 👏

[Maddison Micetick · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is why you should always believe women!!!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Yellow Wallpaper is a short but powerful story about a woman slowly losing her mind while being kept isolated in a room for “rest.” Her husband seems to mean well, but he does not listen to her, and that makes things worse. Charlotte Perkins Gilman quickly shows how damaging it can be when people are not heard or taken seriously.

The story feels tense and a little creepy. The wallpaper in the room becomes a strange and scary symbol of her growing fear and frustration. It’s not full of action, but it pulls you in and makes you think.

I recommend it if you like stories that are emotional, unsettling, and still feel important today. I listened for free on Spotify during my evening walk.

[Azra · Rating 4 out of 5]

valid crashout queen

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea this book was written 130 years ago. It’s incredible how modern the writing and topics are

[ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay queen

[Liz [ia] · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's my spirit animal.

[Jia嘉 · Rating 4 out of 5]

her crashout was so valid

[Martha☀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 33 pages pack a punch. And the punch is even mightier when you realize this novella was written in 1892. It is scarier than any modern day horror novel - by a long shot.

After the birth of her first child, Jane is diagnosed (by her physician husband) with a nervous depression and slight hysteria. His prescription is to take a three month lease of a house in the country side where Jane can rest. He then schedules her every day with bedrest and brief outdoor time.

“You see he does not believe I am sick!”

The room she stays in is papered with a multi-patterned and striped wallpaper in a foul yellow, torn in places by the previous occupants. As she lies there, the paper seems to quiver and waver, with cruel eyes watching her and a figure creeping just at her periphery. Further study of it reveals an image of a woman, trapped behind the stripes. It is here that Jane's post-partum depression really takes hold and plunges her into madness.

This little book has three pages of notable quotes on its GR page, each one better than the next. Here's my favourite:

“Women are pretty much people, seems to me. I know they dress like fools - but who’s to blame for that? We invent all those idiotic hats of theirs, and design their crazy fashions, and what’s more, if a woman is courageous enough to wear common-sense clothes - and shoes - which of us wants to dance with her?”

[Elaina McClendon 📚🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been meaning to read this since I read it in school. I actually enjoyed this. I liked how the writing was direct but not direct. It’s like the author was telling you what was really happening, but you couldn’t really tell because of the main character’s “vivid imagination” and her being “anxious.” And the writing itself feels like it haunts you try to piece together what’s happening.

[૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** forgot to write my review, here’s my thoughts after a while:

I think the ending is so ambiguous but I’ve come to the conclusion that she must have actually killed herself and that’s why the husband fainted. It’s very possible that this house is some sort of private asylum, and thats why the bed is all bolted down and gnawed on. girl when she started gnawing on the post too I knew she was a goner. it’s interesting, I see how this is feminist literature as her husband is ye old classic psych misogynist that is hyping up her mental health issues (cough cough ACTIVE PSYCHOSIS) to just girlie things hysteria and the solution is to lock her away. But the way she makes loose associations and ideas of reference have me super intrigued. Also, interesting that all her hallucinations are visual but this is also from ye olden times. Liked it a lot and I enjoyed trying to guess on what happened versus didn’t

[Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself looking up more about this story as soon as I finished it. It’s wild how the “cure” for women’s depression used to be doing absolutely nothing—no writing, no thinking, just isolation and staring at wallpaper. Honestly, I’d start seeing things too.

[noey ♡☁️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

reading this gave me a new historical appreciation for why so many women in the past felt compelled to poison their husbands

[Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

great short story

[Lillian B (Kaladin Stormblessed version)]

I read this for school!!

[koko kingston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t even know how to rate this! 😭

It’s a really short story (like 40 something pages) and it definitely kept me intrigued the whole time! It was really interesting being in the MC’s head and seeing how her situation was affecting her.

Definitely recommend if you just want something short and mind-boggling to read.

[Cortney B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary in a too real way for women of this time, with a dose of environmental creepy sprinkled on top to bring it all home.

[Nicole Roccas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not understand the ending but okay...

[abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

What even happened. I’m so confused

[kiya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

claustrophobic as hell

[Sarah Wallis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very spooky gothic feminist horror short story.

I needed a quick story to read out and about today (bc I can’t bring my 900 pg final TOG novel anywhere bc it’s a freaking brick) and finally read this classic.

Very creepy, very unsettling, got the job done. It’s interesting to think about how the medical system continues to ignore women’s health issues and label them as hysterical or overreacting over a hundred years later. I love the symbolism of the women trapped in the wallpaper mirroring the way women were/are trapped by domesticity. I just adore feminist literature and I need to take a class or something bc I just want to talk about this with people that are smarter than myself.

Also glad to live in an era in which we are at least aware of postpartum mental health issues… yikes!

[kaitlyn a. maynard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I haven't read this since high school but found myself thinking about it and wanted to revisit it.

It just makes me angry how little women were (and still are) taken seriously in society and by men, especially in terms of mental health. And what a tragic story. The way the audience follows along as the main character details her personal experience falling into psychosis.

I empathized with this novella a lot more in my 20s than I did in my teens. Definitely worth rereading.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wait... omg... what???

[Zoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

unfortunately

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

et on dit merci Alice!!

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really weird but very interesting

[Jonty Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but packs a punch. Chilling and claustrophobic account of the many failures of the healthcare system for women, if you can even call what’s depicted in this story as ‘healthcare’. I’m not the first and won’t be the last to compare it to “The Bell Jar”, although Plath’s story is definitely more beautiful and probing. The horror aspect of “The Yellow Wallpaper” is fun though, plus it’s short. Easy recommend!

[its_bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

reread :p

[Fee Schellekens · Rating 5 out of 5]

love feminism ❤️