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Old Water
13 pages, Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 1893
About the author
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
1,125 books2,428 followersCharlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935), also known as Charlotte Perkins Stetson, was a prominent American sociologist, novelist, writer of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, and a lecturer for social reform. She was a utopian feminist during a time when her accomplishments were exceptional for women, and she served as a role model for future generations of feminists because of her unorthodox concepts and lifestyle. Her best remembered work today is her semi-autobiographical short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper", which she wrote after a severe bout of post-partum depression.
She was the daughter of Frederic B. Perkins.
She was the daughter of Frederic B. Perkins.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
December 30, 2020
The ending wasn't something I expected. It sorta has a dark humour about it. I'll admit I found it a bit funny. Though I don't think that was the reaction the author would expect. I like the story.
May 10, 2025
he deserved dat
October 1, 2025
3.75⭐️
that is one of the craziest plottwists for such a short novella
that is one of the craziest plottwists for such a short novella
August 25, 2023
ეს ქალი ოსტინის ბრუტალური ვერსიაა and I'm lovin it
February 1, 2021
Took a bit of getting into.
Seemed selfish of the mum to project her wants and desires of a man like the poet onto what she thought her daughter should have.
Liked the parts where he started going a bit crazy with lust. I like how he projected this idea that "love" or rather just infatuation and desire is very strange and contradictory. Feeling altogether wild with desire for the daughter while also exclaiming to himself of how selfish and cold she is towards him. People are nuts.
The ending is something I actually didn't expect. These short stories written by Gilman under The Yellow Wallpaper collection always have a dark twist so when I read that the daughter dreamt of being submerged in oil black water and that is the cause of her dislike of water, you assume that will be her fate. I actually chuckled when I read the last paragraph of the daughter simply swimming out and going back home while he dies. (Although how high up is that cliff that she could survive that fall, possibly regain consciousness and swim?) It was a solid twist.
I don't like it as much as the other two I think but I'll come back soon. It had some good passages.
Seemed selfish of the mum to project her wants and desires of a man like the poet onto what she thought her daughter should have.
Liked the parts where he started going a bit crazy with lust. I like how he projected this idea that "love" or rather just infatuation and desire is very strange and contradictory. Feeling altogether wild with desire for the daughter while also exclaiming to himself of how selfish and cold she is towards him. People are nuts.
The ending is something I actually didn't expect. These short stories written by Gilman under The Yellow Wallpaper collection always have a dark twist so when I read that the daughter dreamt of being submerged in oil black water and that is the cause of her dislike of water, you assume that will be her fate. I actually chuckled when I read the last paragraph of the daughter simply swimming out and going back home while he dies. (Although how high up is that cliff that she could survive that fall, possibly regain consciousness and swim?) It was a solid twist.
I don't like it as much as the other two I think but I'll come back soon. It had some good passages.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2026
4,75
en old water, un hombre se obsesiona con la imagen que se ha creado en su mente de una mujer que no tiene nada que ver con la mujer real y se decepciona porque ella no participa en la fantasía que se ha montado en su cabeza
me ha gustado mucho, tiene una forma de escribir que la mejor palabra que se me ocurre para describirlo es eerie y para quien le guste leer según la estación sería buena lectura de otoño
en old water, un hombre se obsesiona con la imagen que se ha creado en su mente de una mujer que no tiene nada que ver con la mujer real y se decepciona porque ella no participa en la fantasía que se ha montado en su cabeza
me ha gustado mucho, tiene una forma de escribir que la mejor palabra que se me ocurre para describirlo es eerie y para quien le guste leer según la estación sería buena lectura de otoño
July 15, 2020
I feel like I went into this essay expecting more. Something about Charlotte's writing doesn't do much for me. I've came to the conclusion that, although the topics she writes about are obviously of big importance and shocking to the society they were introduced to, it isn't substantially ~good~.
The last paragraph tho... - pure delight.
The last paragraph tho... - pure delight.
March 23, 2022
"‘That poise! That motion! It is the very soul of poetry – and the body! Her body is a poem!’"
I loved the ending omg.
I loved the ending omg.
March 16, 2024
WHAT THE FUCK😭😭😭
January 24, 2026
i rly like the themes gilman choses to write about and i wasn’t expecting the ending but i saw coming the man’s lust and what that lust would lead to (i hate men)
whoever i don’t think her writing resonates with me
whoever i don’t think her writing resonates with me
February 1, 2026
yeah that ending was a banger
September 11, 2025
Very enlightening.
The way Perkins-Gilman writes about the frustration of man, courting a woman (a girl?) who is so obviously not interested, committing what is probably sexual harassment, and ending up dead is a revelation.
I think what takes the cake here for me is the point-of-view of a mother who has had a disappointing life and pushes the life she would have wanted for herself towards her daughter who is barely in college and is so visibly a different character from her. Christ alive, what a way to sprinkle motherhood and daughterhood into a story.
The way Perkins-Gilman writes about the frustration of man, courting a woman (a girl?) who is so obviously not interested, committing what is probably sexual harassment, and ending up dead is a revelation.
I think what takes the cake here for me is the point-of-view of a mother who has had a disappointing life and pushes the life she would have wanted for herself towards her daughter who is barely in college and is so visibly a different character from her. Christ alive, what a way to sprinkle motherhood and daughterhood into a story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2024
this was oddly really funny to me 😭 it was terrifying in a sense that it is a story of a young girl forced to marry an old man who, in time, became obsessed with her and forced her to do things. i thought the ending was brilliant and funny and i love the connotations the story has on young and strong women.
October 7, 2025
(2.5) This was a very well written dumb story
August 15, 2026
Old Water is a short, but somewhat boring story, saved only by its satisfying conclusion. In this one, Gilman portrays a young, beautiful girl, still in college, who, through her mother, meets a poet who instantly falls for her. The divide between the two is instantly apparent. She is a practical woman, smart with an inclination for the sciences, but also very athletic, eating well and exercising every day. On the other hand, the poet is a romantic man, abstract, waking up late, eating a lot, smoking, and not as interested in sports or other outdoor activities. Despite them being polar opposites, the poet is undeterred in his pursuit of love, to the growing dismay of the girl, who is quickly getting tired of the poet's constant courting of her.
Gilman perfectly captures the essence of a man in love, not with a woman, but the portrayal of her he has created in his mind. This is most apparent when her mother is bemoaning her daughter for being 'practical' and unaware of her beauty and the poet replies saying "She is unawakened." A chilling line, seemingly implying that the woman does not know what's best for her and he will shape her to his desire. He constantly tries to get her interested in his poetry, egged on by her mother, who projects her desires for a more fine-arts-inclined husband onto her daughter. All this culminates in a final confrontation, where the poet finally expresses his feelings for her, probably not to her surprise, and she rejects him, definitely not to the reader's surprise. The poet tries to force himself onto her, utilizing his strength as a man, but is ultimately outwitted by our protagonist in a final twist.
In my opinion, this is a better and more realistic portrayal of that character archetype than another story of hers, "The Rocking-Chair," which has the same critique on the objectification of women. After reading that one, I had criticized Gilman for prioritizing a good narrative over delivering the intended message. This time, unfortunately, I think the opposite is true, with the message and characters being more prominent and realistic but the story suffering as a result. The plot was mostly uninteresting and slow, save for the ending which had a satisfying conclusion. Maybe there is another story by Gilman out there that manages to find a balance between the two.
Gilman perfectly captures the essence of a man in love, not with a woman, but the portrayal of her he has created in his mind. This is most apparent when her mother is bemoaning her daughter for being 'practical' and unaware of her beauty and the poet replies saying "She is unawakened." A chilling line, seemingly implying that the woman does not know what's best for her and he will shape her to his desire. He constantly tries to get her interested in his poetry, egged on by her mother, who projects her desires for a more fine-arts-inclined husband onto her daughter. All this culminates in a final confrontation, where the poet finally expresses his feelings for her, probably not to her surprise, and she rejects him, definitely not to the reader's surprise. The poet tries to force himself onto her, utilizing his strength as a man, but is ultimately outwitted by our protagonist in a final twist.
In my opinion, this is a better and more realistic portrayal of that character archetype than another story of hers, "The Rocking-Chair," which has the same critique on the objectification of women. After reading that one, I had criticized Gilman for prioritizing a good narrative over delivering the intended message. This time, unfortunately, I think the opposite is true, with the message and characters being more prominent and realistic but the story suffering as a result. The plot was mostly uninteresting and slow, save for the ending which had a satisfying conclusion. Maybe there is another story by Gilman out there that manages to find a balance between the two.
June 24, 2022
3.62 ✨✨✨✨
she’s got an odd writing style
nice metaphor- cant let illusion drown you if you don’t believe in it in the first place
—
“Ellen is so practical!’ she murmured. ‘She will not even admit her own beauty.’
‘She is unawakened,’ breathed the poet – ‘Unawakened!”
“The poetry is there,’ he said, his eyes on the smooth brown arms, now more near. ‘That poise! That motion! It is the very soul of poetry – and the body! Her body is a poem!”
“Ah, madam! What it must be to you to have such a daughter! To see your own youth – but a moment passed – repeated before your eyes!”
“Here we are honored with a visit from one of our very greatest poets – perhaps the greatest; and my own child hasn’t sense enough to appreciate his beautiful work. You are so like your father!’
‘Well, I can’t help it,’ said Ellen. ‘I don’t like those foolish old stories about people who never did anything useful, and hadn’t an idea in their heads except being in love and killing somebody! They had no sense, and no courage, and no decency!”
“She laughed frankly at him, and he laughed with her; but his heart was hot and dark within him. The longer he pursued and failed the fiercer was his desire for her. Already he had loved longer than was usual to him. Never before had his overwhelming advances been so lightly parried and set aside.”
“Ah! You young Diana! You do not know how I suffer! You are so young, so cold! So heavenly beautiful! Do not be cruel! Listen to me! Say you will be my wife! Give me one kiss! Just one!’
She was young, and cold, and ignorantly cruel. She laughed at him, laughed mercilessly, and turned away.”
“Ah!’ he cried. ‘It is your fate! Our fate! We have lived through this before! We will die together if we cannot live together!’
He caught her to him, kissed her madly, passionately, and together they went down into the black water.
‘It’s pretty lucky I could swim,’ said Ellen, as she hurried home. ‘And he couldn’t. The poor man! O, the poor man! He must have been crazy!”
she’s got an odd writing style
nice metaphor- cant let illusion drown you if you don’t believe in it in the first place
—
“Ellen is so practical!’ she murmured. ‘She will not even admit her own beauty.’
‘She is unawakened,’ breathed the poet – ‘Unawakened!”
“The poetry is there,’ he said, his eyes on the smooth brown arms, now more near. ‘That poise! That motion! It is the very soul of poetry – and the body! Her body is a poem!”
“Ah, madam! What it must be to you to have such a daughter! To see your own youth – but a moment passed – repeated before your eyes!”
“Here we are honored with a visit from one of our very greatest poets – perhaps the greatest; and my own child hasn’t sense enough to appreciate his beautiful work. You are so like your father!’
‘Well, I can’t help it,’ said Ellen. ‘I don’t like those foolish old stories about people who never did anything useful, and hadn’t an idea in their heads except being in love and killing somebody! They had no sense, and no courage, and no decency!”
“She laughed frankly at him, and he laughed with her; but his heart was hot and dark within him. The longer he pursued and failed the fiercer was his desire for her. Already he had loved longer than was usual to him. Never before had his overwhelming advances been so lightly parried and set aside.”
“Ah! You young Diana! You do not know how I suffer! You are so young, so cold! So heavenly beautiful! Do not be cruel! Listen to me! Say you will be my wife! Give me one kiss! Just one!’
She was young, and cold, and ignorantly cruel. She laughed at him, laughed mercilessly, and turned away.”
“Ah!’ he cried. ‘It is your fate! Our fate! We have lived through this before! We will die together if we cannot live together!’
He caught her to him, kissed her madly, passionately, and together they went down into the black water.
‘It’s pretty lucky I could swim,’ said Ellen, as she hurried home. ‘And he couldn’t. The poor man! O, the poor man! He must have been crazy!”
February 3, 2022
At first I wasn't exactly sure what the story wanted to say but after letting it sit for a bit I believe I've come up with a plausible conclusion.
Given Gilman's staunch feminism it is no wonder that Old Water deals with feminist themes. Despite Ellen repeatedly showing her disinterest in the poet's advances he chooses to believe her love for poetry and, by extension, him has yet to reveal itself. As a result of this delusion, he ends up forcing himself on her claiming it is their destiny to be together in, if not life then death, allowing them to continue what he believes to be a cycle of love they've been through before in a previous life. I believe this cycle could serve as a metaphor for the cycle of misery and helplessness many women found themselves in when being wood by unwanted men. However, by allowing Ellen to survive due to her knoeing how to swim Ellen breaks the supposed cycle and reinforces a new narrative free from the supposed inevitability of relationships some women never wanted a part of.
Either way, good read.
Given Gilman's staunch feminism it is no wonder that Old Water deals with feminist themes. Despite Ellen repeatedly showing her disinterest in the poet's advances he chooses to believe her love for poetry and, by extension, him has yet to reveal itself. As a result of this delusion, he ends up forcing himself on her claiming it is their destiny to be together in, if not life then death, allowing them to continue what he believes to be a cycle of love they've been through before in a previous life. I believe this cycle could serve as a metaphor for the cycle of misery and helplessness many women found themselves in when being wood by unwanted men. However, by allowing Ellen to survive due to her knoeing how to swim Ellen breaks the supposed cycle and reinforces a new narrative free from the supposed inevitability of relationships some women never wanted a part of.
Either way, good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2025
4.5*
Ah, a mother's expectations and desires for her daughter without stopping to think whether the daughter even wants the same things, and any hint or blatant proclamation that she doesn't are turned down as a stupid girl not knowing what's good for her. A level of projection only a mother dissatisfied with her life can manage. To the point that she can't even realize the poison she's introducing into her daughter's life.
And then there's the mad lover. At first, he wants the pretty girl because she's a pretty girl. Then the more she rejects him, the stronger and more poisonous his obsession becomes until he can't wait to possess her. All while calling himself a poet who can't be bothered to even wake up to appreciate the dawn, but has metaphors to show his outwardly sensibility. And in that zeal and false poetics, he tries to bring upon himself and the girl of his obsessions the same fate of his stories.
Good thing though that the girl is a logical and practical one and is able to escape the fate of many fictional heroines by not being a blind romantic.
Ah, a mother's expectations and desires for her daughter without stopping to think whether the daughter even wants the same things, and any hint or blatant proclamation that she doesn't are turned down as a stupid girl not knowing what's good for her. A level of projection only a mother dissatisfied with her life can manage. To the point that she can't even realize the poison she's introducing into her daughter's life.
And then there's the mad lover. At first, he wants the pretty girl because she's a pretty girl. Then the more she rejects him, the stronger and more poisonous his obsession becomes until he can't wait to possess her. All while calling himself a poet who can't be bothered to even wake up to appreciate the dawn, but has metaphors to show his outwardly sensibility. And in that zeal and false poetics, he tries to bring upon himself and the girl of his obsessions the same fate of his stories.
Good thing though that the girl is a logical and practical one and is able to escape the fate of many fictional heroines by not being a blind romantic.
December 2, 2025
(a)
4.5/5 ⭐
A story that unfolds gently and then detonates with a PLOTWISSSST. I loved the emotional tension, and especially how Gilman builds the heroine’s quiet strength. The dramatic romantic obsession comes through so vividly — men in Gilman’s fiction fall in love like it’s a fever.
Remarkably full for such a short piece.
Favourite lines:
• “ It is so beautiful, this budding soul, not opened yet, so close, so almost hard but when its rosey petals do unfold …”
• “He told her nothing of the storm of passion growing within him…”
• “ … his feelings were too much for his judgement and he seized her hand and kissed it … then he poured out his heart to her. He to told her how he loved her; madly, passionately, irresistibly ”
• “He caught her to kiss her, kissed her madly, passionately”
Would’ve loved to know how he actually came from 😁
4.5/5 ⭐
A story that unfolds gently and then detonates with a PLOTWISSSST. I loved the emotional tension, and especially how Gilman builds the heroine’s quiet strength. The dramatic romantic obsession comes through so vividly — men in Gilman’s fiction fall in love like it’s a fever.
Remarkably full for such a short piece.
Favourite lines:
• “ It is so beautiful, this budding soul, not opened yet, so close, so almost hard but when its rosey petals do unfold …”
• “He told her nothing of the storm of passion growing within him…”
• “ … his feelings were too much for his judgement and he seized her hand and kissed it … then he poured out his heart to her. He to told her how he loved her; madly, passionately, irresistibly ”
• “He caught her to kiss her, kissed her madly, passionately”
Would’ve loved to know how he actually came from 😁
October 27, 2022
I liked this a lot. Another reinforcement for my new love of Charlotte Perkins Gilman and her steady and beautiful prose style. The pacing of her shorts are a little similar, but exactly my speed and never outstay their welcome. Old Water has some messages and tones in it, much like her other stuff. I like these messages and tones. I like what she's up to here. And I especially like how she managed to take this somewhat dreary, ugly tale of a woman being forced to spend time with a lecherous old man and end it with a bit of comedy and the strength and hopeful spirit of young women.
November 15, 2023
I love this authors short stories and found this one quite amusing/funny.
I’ve read the yellow wall paper/the rocking chair which have themes of obsession/horror, it was nice to see a more “light hearted” story from CPG
The wording can seem a bit out dated/hard to understand so I found myself having to re read certain parts to take in what’s being said however I throughly enjoyed this short story. The ending is brilliant
I’ve read the yellow wall paper/the rocking chair which have themes of obsession/horror, it was nice to see a more “light hearted” story from CPG
The wording can seem a bit out dated/hard to understand so I found myself having to re read certain parts to take in what’s being said however I throughly enjoyed this short story. The ending is brilliant
December 26, 2023
“That poise! That motion! It is the very soul of poetry – and the body! Her body is a poem!’”
“Ellen. ‘I don’t like those foolish old stories about people who never did anything useful, and hadn’t an idea in their heads except being in love and killing somebody! They had no sense, and no courage, and no decency!’”
The art of poetry and old tales. So good..
“Ellen. ‘I don’t like those foolish old stories about people who never did anything useful, and hadn’t an idea in their heads except being in love and killing somebody! They had no sense, and no courage, and no decency!’”
The art of poetry and old tales. So good..
February 10, 2026
For such a short story Gilman was able to express themes of unrequited love/lust and women’s expectations in society in a humorous but also developed way!
Accordingly, the ending did not only bring slight laughter to my face but also subverted patriarchal views on women and challenged stereotypes by allowing Ellen to have her freedom and sense of authority through her escape.
Accordingly, the ending did not only bring slight laughter to my face but also subverted patriarchal views on women and challenged stereotypes by allowing Ellen to have her freedom and sense of authority through her escape.
December 2, 2023
If you are someone new to classics and would love to read weird short stories then this is the book for you. Basically whatever gilman has written is very simply written so it’s easy to understand and comprehend the inner meaning.
October 28, 2024
Given the circumstances, if I was her I wouldn’t change a thing. Everyone got what they deserved, him with the imposed expectations got his punishment and in the end the innocent was left to live their life.
Love love love a good for her piece of literature🩷
Love love love a good for her piece of literature🩷
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2025
so on one hand its best to not be obsessive, romanticising everything and viewing the world through an unrealistic lens
on the other hand practicality can be boring, seeing the beauty in the world is just as important
its all about BALANCE people
on the other hand practicality can be boring, seeing the beauty in the world is just as important
its all about BALANCE people
July 24, 2026
i actually felt her writing is not suitable for me. but what i enjoyed about this book is pure feminist rage, that ending was worth holding onto. forever always on her side, plus the audacity of men! like shut it off.
November 12, 2021
Probebly my fav of charlottes short stories! Its less between the lines and suggestive and more straight to the point.
March 7, 2022
I was shook, so good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews