Herland and Selected Stories

by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

At the turn of the century, Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a celebrity—acclaimed as a leader in the feminist movement and castigated for her divorce, her relinquishment of custody of her daughter, and her unconventional second marriage. She was also widely read, with stories in popular magazines and with dozens of books in print. But her most famous short story, the intensely personal "The Yellow Wallpaper," read as a horror story when first published in 1891 and lapsed into obscurity before being rediscovered and reinterpreted by feminist scholars in the 1970s, and her landmark feminist utopian novel, Herland, remained unavailable for more than sixty years.

Herland --
The unexpected --
My poor aunt --
The yellow wallpaper --
Three Thanksgivings --
Her housekeeper --
When I was a witch --
Martha's mother --
The boys and the butter --
Making a living --
Old Mrs. Crosley --
Turned --
Making a change --
A mischievous rudiment --
Mrs. Elder's idea --
Her beauty --
If I were a man --
Spoken to --
Dr. Clair's place --
Joan's defender --
Mrs. Beazley's deeds

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Short Stories, Feminism, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Gender

349 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1915

About the author

Charlotte 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.

Reviews

[Julie Capell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book after a friend gave me a photocopy of one of the short stories within, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” a mesmerizing first-person account of a woman suffering from extreme post-partum depression. The way in which the story was written was so modern that it was next to impossible for me to believe it was written in 1892. I knew I had to read more by this writer, and am extremely glad I purchased this omnibus volume. It contains not only “The Yellow Wallpaper” but also nearly 20 other short stories, the novel “Herland,” and an introduction by Barbara H. Solomon. I have not extensively studied the subject of feminist literature, but I found this introduction to be fascinating. Gilman is truly one of the first feminist writers and led a unique life which included leaving her husband in 1888 and becoming a self-supporting writer, both practically unheard of in her time. The feminist-Utopian novel “Herland” is evidently her best-known work, but I found many of the short stories to be much more compelling than that novel. The topics Gilman took up and the characters she created are instructive not only of how far women have come since her time, but also how little our society has changed in some ways. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the lives of women, the evolution of feminism, or just good writing in general. What is missing now is an authoritative biography of this inspiring figure and more widespread recognition of her achievements.

[Davida Chazan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Around a century ago, Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a well-known feminist fiction writer, including "Herland" and "The Yellow Wallpaper." Find out what I thought of this collection of her work in my review here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/02/1...

[Ives · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part was when the men were shocked that a utopia of women had tons of pockets in their clothes

Didn’t know “cool as cucumbers” and “hocus pocus” were used this long ago so that’s cool:)

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: This is written from memory, unfortunately. If I could have brought with me the material I so carefully prepared, this would be a very different story.

Premise/plot: Vandyck Jennings is a sociologist traveling or exploring with Terry O. Nicholson and Jeff Margrave. On one of their trips they hear rumors of a 'strange and terrible Woman land...this strange country where no men lived--only women and girl children.' They don't have time on this first trip to seek it out, but, they become determined to return on their own and find it next year. Return they do, and they think they've packed, planned, and prepared all they need. But they could not begin to imagine the reality of Herland.

Herland is a utopian adventure story. Van, Jeff, and Terry venture into Herland, are 'captured' by the women, educated by the women, and eventually given some freedom. Perhaps not all the men were worthy of that freedom.

The education of the men gives Gilman an opportunity to info dump about the world she has created. (Though we learn little of their native language--perhaps Gilman was no Tolkien.) Readers learn alongside of Van, Jeff, and Terry two thousand years of history. How did Herland come into existence? Where there ever men? How do the women reproduce without men? How are children raised? What is society like? How has their society evolved through the centuries?

Info dump isn't quite the right word. It also gives Gilman an opportunity to explore the ideas and philosophies of this 'utopian' world and to a certain extent the real world as well. Gender roles being a subject that is front and center of the whole novel. What does it mean to be feminine? to be womanly? What is natural? Are the stereotypical notions of femininity just a reflection or reaction to masculinity. Without the masculine how would the feminine have developed or evolved?

She spends one whole chapter on the religion/faith of Herland and how it compares to Van's Christianity. In Herland, there is no sin, no punishment, no crime, no criminals, no need for a Savior, no need for a sacrifice, no need for heaven or hell, no need for laws or rules. Society has almost agreed upon a list of ideals and lumped them together into the notion of God and decided to live as if God were real and express in their lives those same ideals.

The concept of 'home' does not exist. Babies and children are raised collectively, taught collectively, work collectively. You might give birth to a baby but not be active in raising it. The most qualified do the raising. All generations belong to one another--there are no individual families or homes. No child belongs more to one person than another. Pride is felt collectively.

Just as the most qualified do the raising, only the 'most qualified' the 'best sorts' of women are allowed to have children--to will them into existence by their deep longing for Motherhood. Other women are discouraged from longing and are directed to focus their thoughts, their energies elsewhere. By not allowing everyone to have children, they ensure that only the best qualities are passed on from generation to generation.

My thoughts: I found Herland to be a quick read. I read it in one evening. Every time I thought about putting down the book, I decided I just had to read one more chapter. So without a doubt I found it an engaging read.

I was thankful there were three male characters. Jeff adapted the easiest to the new country. It didn't take him long at all to decide that he had come home at last and this is where he wanted to live the rest of his life. Herland was his paradise.

Van was open-minded. He was always ready and willing to discuss any and all aspects of the culture and compare them to the outside world, to America in particular. He was respectful and genuine. I think Van represented hope for the world, that men could be taught to accept women as equals if not superior at times.

Terry was close-minded. There was no changing his mind. He had a one track mind; women were objects to be TAKEN, to be owned, to be mastered, to be ruled, to be possessed. Terry didn't care about ideas and thoughts and feelings. Some form of justice was carried out against Terry.

I'm not sure what I think of the world Gilman created. I certainly disagreed with some of her ideas or notions. Her utopia is not every woman's utopia. And her notion of Utopia was created in 1915 is in some ways dated and problematic. Some aspects were just disturbing.

I will be reviewing the short stories in my 'Keep It Short' posts on my blog. This is a Saturday feature. I may or may not remember to update this review with my thoughts.

"The Unexpected" (1890)



First sentence: "It is the unexpected which happens," says the French proverb. I like the proverb, because it is true--and because it is French.



Premise/proverb: A young artist finds the unexpected happening in his love life.



My thoughts: I liked this one for the most part. The narrator is a snobbish young man who loves all things French. He also loves DRAMA. And this story has plenty of drama. But the drama blends seamlessly into a comedy. Or somewhat seamlessly anyway!



"My Poor Aunt" (1891)



First sentence: "Belle," said my mother, in tones bordering on despair, "what shall I do with you?"



Premise/plot: Belle/Kate is on her way to becoming this generation's black sheep of the family. It is a good thing her 'poor Aunt' (the black sheep of her generation) to offer her refuge. Belle has never been so delighted to be herself and live life on her own terms.



My thoughts: I'm not sure the daughter's rebellion is all that rebellious. By modern terms she is just practicing common sense. Her mother is desperate for her to marry and she's picked out the somebody. The daughter doesn't want to marry someone she doesn't love, like, or even know. Is it such an odd idea that a woman could look out for herself and be independent?


This story is slightly confusing. The first sentence the daughter's name is implied to be Belle. Yet a few pages later she's called Kate. And at one point the text states that Aunt Kate has come to help her namesake niece. So if that's the case, why does the first sentence call her Belle?!



"The Yellow Wallpaper" (1892)



First sentence: It is very seldom that mere ordinary people like John and myself secure ancestral halls for the summer.



Premise/plot: A new mother takes a 'relaxing' vacation with her family. But the room where she's staying has unsettling YELLOW wallpaper. Did she arrive at the rented house mentally disturbed? Or did her illness come on slowly and surely over the course of weeks as she stays in this room?



My thoughts: "The Yellow Wallpaper" is a story I've encountered many times in my past in various college courses. It holds up well with my memory of it. It's a masterfully disturbing story. In just a few pages, Gilman creates an unforgettable narrator and some haunting scenes.



"Three Thanksgivings" (1909)



First sentence: Andrew's letter and Jean's letter were in Mrs. Morrison's lap. She had read them both, and sat looking at them with a varying sort of smile, now motherly and now unmotherly.



Premise/plot: A mother resists giving up her home and going to live with one of her children. Can she find a way to stay financially independent and in her own home? Can she prove to her children--and to her would-be suitor--that she is just fine on her own. Just how creative and resourceful can one determined woman be?!



My thoughts: Of the stories I've read so far this might be the most satisfying. It perhaps isn't as masterful or as memorable as 'The Yellow Wallpaper' but it is emotionally satisfying in a way the other is not because the woman IS a success.



"Her Housekeeper" (1910)

First sentence: On the top floor of a New York boarding-house lived a particularly attractive woman who was an actress.



Premise/plot: Mrs. Leland has determined to never, ever, ever, ever marry again. She has her reasons. But one persistent wooer is willing to go above and beyond to prove that he loves her just as she is. Will she marry him?



My thoughts: I found this story to be entertaining. Mrs. Leland has her quirks particularly considering her times. In 1910, Mrs. Leland would have been a nonconformist at best and an immoral or loose woman at worst. She was all about her freedom and independence. And she loved to have many, many lovers. I'm not sure if lovers means sexual partners or just flattering suitors who lavished her with attention. Regardless of what Gilman meant, it would have been outside the image of propriety



"When I Was A Witch" (1910)

First sentence: If I had understood the terms of that one-sided contract with Satan, the Time of Witching would have lasted longer--you may be sure of that.


Premise/plot: This one is written in the first person. A woman has a really HORRIBLE day and starts making wishes that more resemble curses--if wishes had any power. She comes to find out that suddenly her cherished grudges--her wishes--do. But will this power last?


My thoughts: This comedy has plenty of drama...but even more so it has OPINIONS. Opinions on what is right and wrong with the world.

[PB · Rating 3 out of 5]

So.
I read the story online because it was assigned for one of my classes and I am a broke student. Anyway.

Gilman makes a lot of good points about patriarchal language, education, and labor in her story. So in that respect, this is a great read. BUT. She situates her women's utopia in two spaces 1) that of being a white woman's utopia and 2) that of being women ultimately finding comfort through their motherhood.

Let's examine both of these shall we.

Why do I say Gilman's utopia is only for white women?

Literally, all the black and brown men in her book are savages. Savages savages savages savages. But you see, they are not termed savage because of their masculinity, they are termed savage particularly because of their skin! The white men in Herland die kind of.. . .naturally, so to speak. But the non-white men? Oh no, they were savages. In all respect.
So, if you're dehumanizing certain men because of their skin color, there is literally no guarantee that women of color too, will not be dehuamnized.

A woman's utopia where women are essentiallized as only mothers. THAT IS SUCH A PROBLEM OHMYGOD. She gives us a script where there is only one true way to affirm your womanhood. I'm not even going to talk about how transphobic that language can be, but the idea that every woman wants a child is kind of laughable. Also, apparently women are not interested in pleasure. Uh come again???? That also makes me think of how, since sexuality was connected with Black and Brown women, it was made taboo in the book. It makes me wonder what other expressions of womanhood would be denied to various women living in Gilman's Herland.

But I don't want to say the concept is not radical. It is still a radical idea to imagine a space in which women could literally be anything. ANYTHING. They can be teachers and leaders and fighters and just anything. No constraints. The book does present a compelling question: what happens when men aren't there doing their manly things that women supposedly need (providing, protecting etc). The answer: women are just fine.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this one for The Yellow Wallpaper but I read all the other stories too. Herland was really dry. While it makes good points, there’s some things that are just bizarre like the divine motherhood, and asexual reproduction. Getting pregnant out of nowhere as your purpose in life sounds downright DYSTOPIAN not utopian.
I did enjoy Gilman’s obsession with women’s clothing having lots of pockets lol.
I’ve learned while reading this collection there’s some sequels to Herland that were not included in this book (I guess for space) but I don’t have much desire to track them down and read them.
The Yellow Wallpaper was by far my favorite, although the short stories weren’t bad, but they all had some kind of moral lesson. It was nice to read about girls and older women not being cast off, standing up for each other and taking initiative in their lives. Feminism still has a long way to go even now, especially for women that aren’t rich, cis, or white.

[Wincy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed reading the short stories more than Herland, but overall it was mind-blowing to read. I find it inspiring that Gilman, despite being a woman of the early 1900s, constantly challenged social norms and expectations, condemned toxic masculinity and argued for female rights. Definitely shocked to see how much society has changed since her time, but also realised how, at the same time, we have not made much improvements.

One of my fav quotes from the book: “This led me very promptly to the conviction that those ‘feminine charms’ we were so fond of are not feminine at all, but merely reflected masculinity - developed to please us because they had to please us, and in no way essential to the real fulfilment of their great process.”

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gilman is a pretty well known feminist writer. Almost ahead of her time, her stories had strong female protagonists that found fulfillment through their own work, rather than living through their families (although they still pursued families at times).

The most well known, is probably 'The Yellow Wallpaper', about a woman's descent into madness. Although Herland, a fictional land of only women also tops the list. Both were great stories, and I enjoyed the other short stories featured in this anthology. They all had their own nuances and kept you engaged.

If you're look for short stories that can stand the test of time, this collection is worth it.

Review by M. Reynard 2023

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Herland was an exceptional utopian novel that leaves the reader with much to ponder and discuss. Gilman's short stories were also remarkable--quick and lively and often unexpected. I found Gilman's ideas and writing to be astonishingly prescient and pioneering. It's disappointing that she is once again lapsing into obscurity.

[Sarah Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Academically super interesting, plot-wise fairly boring, overall glad I read it. CPG’s examination of gender roles, for her specific time and place in society, is complex and valuable despite the issues it presents for contemporary understandings, especially regarding eugenics. Also, her ideas of female chastity and virtue is hilariously innocent, but that also might just be a result of publication pressures in 1915.

[El · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title story, Herland, published in 1915, is the story of three men of varying temperaments and occupations who have heard stories of a land of solely women. They make the journey themselves, despite warnings of the demise of others before them, and compare their world with the women they meet. Meant to be a "feminist utopia", Gilman details a land in which men have become obsolete and nature has found a way to continue the life cycle without them. The three men expect the women to be thrilled to see them; instead they disover a city in which the architecture is stable, the children are happy, healthy and educated, and comfort and practicality comes before style and fashion in terms of the clothes they wear.

Ahead of her time in many ways, Gilman's other short stories in this collection are similar in the sense of providing strong women characters with firm convictions and ideas in the way of improving oneself and ones society. The Yellow Wallpaper is a classic of its own and never gets old no matter how frequently I read it; however, after reading the other stories in this collection, I especially enjoyed Her Beauty and Spoken To just as well.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone interested in women writers, feminism, or American feminism in particular, this is an excellent book to read. I'd love to plunk Christine de Pizan down in a room with Charlotte Perkins Gilman and let them hash out their various ideas of feminist utopias. Out of the short stories in the book, I would most recommend The Yellow Wallpaper.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlotte Perkins Gilman has to be the original cat lady. Fascinating book when taken in historical context. Collection of stories after "Herland" is hit or miss - but again, context of the times make it interesting as a prelude to modern-day feminism.

[Marc Kohlman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling and amazingly modern and revolutionary in its language. I read "Herland" as part of my English 381 class Rebels & Revolutionaries. I was surprised to learn that the author Charlotte P. Gilman was the grand niece of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Gilman herself was a unique woman for her time and her three years of hysteria and Feminist ideals had great influence on her work. Of the three men who discover Herland, Jeff Margrave and Van Jennings were the only two I respected. Terry O. Nicholson however was an ignoramus in his belief women can be bought, men are superior, and how he objectifies women. While Gilman's characters are not very much flushed out, they contrast quite well. It certainly is interesting how Gilman constructed the world of Herland as a clean built place where smart and strong women fill every role their society requires. The women's clothing also was practical and how they kept their hair short. They believe everything has a use and are moderate, caring, faithful, devoid of greed and deceit. Gilman's world truly is an Amazonian Eden where women work because they want to and do not show fear. The inhabitants of Herland are all cool, calmed, and collected. Gilman's "Herland" protests the accepted abilities, attributes, and strengths of women which were underestimated during her time where the dominant patriarchy was male-led. Van is the happy medium between Jeff and Terry. He observes the changes in his comrades as well. Gilman had her book narrated by a male because it made sense according to the time. There is no room for men to make any arguments. If the narrator was female, the viewpoint would be a biased one. While Herland is not technologically advanced, Gilman covered different races of women in the book and made the statement there is no difference between them. As the three men started to form bonds with the women, Terry kept fighting the system of the society. Gilman's world also is intriguing in that there is no privacy in Herland due to the women sharing everything and they do not use surnames so not to be seen as a possession. The cross-cultural exchange between the men and the women of Herland is reminiscent of confrontations between Old and New World cultures. I found it very interesting there was no limit to the number of children women could bear. They do not believe sex is for any other purpose other than procreation. Gilman points out how man's civilization is more Spartan and boorish than Herland, which is not savage at all. Had Terry not tried to rape Alima, the men would not have been exiled from Herland. He could not see the country for what it really was. An ignorant character with some pockets of intelligence. In contrast to his two fellow companions, he was not enlightened during his time in Herland. Jeff made the right decision to stay in Herland, with his "feminine" sensibility and positive view of women, he was meant to be there. Ellador's decision to follow Van was one of curiosity and devotion. It is certain Van and Terry carry their experiences in Herland back with them; Van taking the principles he learned whereas Terry remains insolent and sexist as when they arrived. Van had a right to be nervous of Ellador's reaction to his society having told her of the wrongs in it previously. Gilman's "Herland" is a revolutionary work for its time in a Shangri-La world where women prosper and whose civilization compares and contrasts with our own and presses us to question our own beliefs and ideas concerning equality between the sexes and social views. "The Unexpected" was a very interesting story in itself. It is the classic tale of what happens when people fall in love with another, not for themselves, but for their physical beauty and the irony of such passions. Gilman's message in this story is that a woman is much more than just a pretty face and that females have the same aspirations and the potential as men do. I enjoyed "My Poor Aunt" for it dealt with the issue of young women forced into arranged marriages in 20th century America, which Gilman herself had experienced. This story also reminded me of Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice" which also told a story under similar circumstances and I made connections between Gilman's Lucy and Austen's Elizabeth Bennett, both opinionated young women who do not want their lives to be dictated or controlled by the wishes of their mothers or a man nether of them loves. Lucy's aunt Kate clearly is a character whom Gilman based much on herself. She too was faced with the same dilemma her niece was up against and out of her struggles, Kate was able to make her own life and provide for herself. I did not like Mr. Jameson at all, while men such as his character were products of the time in which they lived, he understood nothing of what Lucy was being pushed to do and tried to convince her marriage was about wealth not love and the only way for a woman to get ahead in society was to marry rich. I was happy Lucy stood up for herself and did not let herself be convinced she was nothing without a man and would never amount to anything. The ending was a happy one for me when Kate arrived and offered Lucy the position of assistant editor at the Nebraska Morning Star. It was a liberating moment for Lucy, when she seized the chance to live a life of her own and learn from what her aunt Kate had experienced and how she came into the position she was in. Gilman definitely rebelled against the social more of her time where young girls were pawns in order for families to gain higher status for themselves by stressing women are not a commodity to be sold and can live productive and successful lives without a husband. "The Yellow Wallpaper" I first read in my Sophomore year of college and was deeply impacted by it. Gilman's mental breakdown is very evident in this story and the effects the wallpaper has on the narrator's sanity and John keeping her sheltered while treating her like a child, speaks of how American women at the time lived in "golden cages," living secluded lives and hardly ever able to get out of that. The more the narrator is confined to her room, the ugly wallpaper takes on a life of its own more and more. I found that both interesting and scary at the same time. The woman the narrator saw behind it I looked at as a forbearer of the fate which the narrator herself would suffer if she did not escape from her confinement. Of all of Gilman's stories, I have a personal connection to this one primarily for the growing and frustrating pain of loneliness and in comparison to the narrator, I turn to writing in my moments of distress. John's death in the end was when the narrator's bonds were broken and she was able to leave the prison she had been locked up in and the removal of the wallpaper was out of the narrator's fevering anxiety and her yearning to be free. Gilman really tackled what is now known as psycho-analysis in this story. Her "captivity" fed more and more on her imagination to breaking point as she struggles to live and not fall into hysteria. The "Three Thanksgivings" was also a good story. The protagonist Delia Morrison was very clever in establishing the Hiddleton Rest & Improvement club for women; providing shelter and support for women who needed it and raising money to pay off the greedy and crafty weasel Peter Butts. Mrs. Morrison is another example of women Gilman presents who refuse to let others run their lives and choose what to do with them, which people can look to as a role model. "Her Housekeeper" I thought was very interesting as it has Mrs. Leland, a woman who really values and enjoys her independent life and Arthur Olmwood, a man enraptured with her and curious why she will not marry. I admired Mrs. Leland and her reasons for not wanting to be tied down or share her life with another husband. How Olmwood inquired on her reason and opinions of marriage was at first odd but clever I will admit. They definitely seem like a good match and Olmwood a man ahead of his time. I liked how he was accepting of Mrs. Leland wanting to keep her position and lifestyle. "When I Was A Witch" was an interesting story. The narrator did have cynical and embittered views with the society she lives in and the people around her. However, some of her wishes were selfless, such as her one for the horses and kittens. Most importantly, her wish for the "True" woman and their children's future. Her wish on the church I was impressed with as well and on newspapers too. Gilman's bold rebellious feminist ideals are very clearly expressed in this story. I was able to empathize with the narrator's angry wishes on the treatment of animals, society, cabs, and most of all the people she comes in contact with. Personally, I di not find her as a bad person, but a honest brave one at that. Gilman truly voices her sentiments and opinions freely and without restraint and this story definitely represents that. The character of "Martha's Mother" I admired for not letting her physical disability stop her from living and maintain and upkeep her household. This story is an example that you cannot keep a good and strong woman down. "The Boys And The Butter" is a good story about the depravations of childhood and emptiness. Jane McCoy's character really was of strict stock and a killjoy. I did not like her at all. I empathized with the Fernald's, especially Holdfast and J. Edwards. Who honestly could live without butter? In the end McCoy got what was coming to her for her cruelty as the congregation looked at her. "Making A Living" is a very funny and yet poignant story. Arnold and Ella Blake have such a sweet relationship and are a good loving couple. It was good Ella convinced Arnold not to make the business investment, which would only have destroyed the beauty of the valley she loved. This story is a classic tale of knowing to respect nature for its beauty and not to subdue it for our own purposes. I empathized a great deal with the protagonist of "Old Mrs. Crosley", especially since her own family and others only saw her as nothing and did not care about her. John Fairmount and Hale Crosley I thoroughly disliked in trying to beat her down and use her age and shortcomings against her. Mrs. Crosley like many of Gilman's heroines however prove themselves capable and successful, and despite the objections of Hale and her children, her employment agency which does good business. She put up a hell of a fight indeed. "Turned" was partially sad. It was cruel how Mrs. Marroner treated poor Gerta at first when it really was her husband who deserved her anger. He deserved being left by them and when they returned in the end, so he could see how he had wronged them and the women sought retribution. The lesson this story gives on marriages and relationships still are important and have emphasis on peoples lives today. "Making A Change" is an inspiring and sweet story. Mrs. Gordins Sr. character was the saving grace of Julia and Frank's marriage, as they struggled with taking care of their own baby. AS THE SAYING GOES, "Mother knows best." In comparison to a lot of Gilman's heroines, Mrs. Gordins Sr. is meticulous with her finances and selfless in her endeavors. I admire what she and other women similar to her do. Glad Frank was accepting of it and learned more about childcare in return. "A Mischievous Rudiment" is a funny story. Ria Bland was clever in her elimination of suitors seeking to gain her hand. Hugh Wyndam was an utter asshole in his belief women love to be mastered. Mr. Weston was the exception out of the rest. Both of them are very real and look more at the reality behind the profane fiction men find themselves absorbed in. People like Bland and Weston reject that idea which Gilman makes very clear. "Mrs. Elder's Idea" I enjoyed for the theme of recapturing ones youth and not content with simply following the plans of another spouse. Mrs. Elder is a rebel in wanting to have her own residence, do as she wishes, and enjoy life to the full. I was also glad her ideas helped bring her family closer together too. Mrs. Elder is the sort of person who wants to realize her own ideas and not trail along with those of another. "Her Beauty" is a classic and beautiful story. Amaryllis is a prime example of female characters who while lacking physical beauty are able to come into their own and make their own lives through the careers and goals they pursue. Weldon really should have married Amaryllis when he had the chance. They could have had a good married life together. The ending does allow for a second chance between these characters and Weldon sees Amaryllis true beauty, in her character, for the first time which he overlooked before. "If I Were A Man" is a great story of a woman who wishes she were a man. The main character of Mollie Mathewson is an example of a female yearning to have more freedom and a voice in a male-dominated world. The story represents the social divisions between the sexes and women denied the same rights as man. As her husband Gerald, Mollie breaks the rules and experiences the world outside the household she is confined in, as Gilman had been herself. Mollie becomes her own person once she takes on the body and life of a man. Gilman enforces the point that even women can be successful in male professions. Lucile Wright's character in the story "Spoken To" is the example of a headstrong young woman who wants to be independent and not remain thought of as the "Little Girl" of the family. I liked her character because she is wise beyond her years and proves her family that she does not need protecting and knows how to look after and conduct herself. "Dr. Clair's Place" truly speaks to Gilman's experiences during her mental breakdown represented through Octavia Welch. In the environment of Dr. Clair, Gilman creates an institution that allows more freedom and respect for women as opposed to those she had been in herself and the treatment methods she describes are more human and healing than those that use more demeaning forms. She presents a place without prejudice, judgment, ridicule, or control for society to take as a model. "Joan' Defender" is a very timeless and uplifting story. Dr. Warren fulfills the role of the mentor for Joan as he teaches her to be more independent, upright, and negotiable especially toward her brother Gerald. She really transformed from a shy demure spirit to a confident Tom Boy figure subservient to no one. "Mrs. Beazley's Deeds" is a universal and contemporary story. William Beazley is an ignorant, conceited, and sexist jerk. People like him are stuck up, full of themselves and are just plain rotten. I admire Ms. Lawrence, the tale's heroine, in helping Maria and her children in getting away from that asshole. Serves Mr. Beazley right in squandering his wife's property and finances and using the Bible to justify his actions. Women in Mrs. Beazley's position can really relate and be motivated by this story about a woman who acts to make life better for herself and the unique bond women have.

[Derek L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be my first review of a short story collection. In this review, I am going to consider the book as a whole, and then list off the works in this collection I felt were the best.

Overall, I think Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a very strong writer, and she is able to communicate her feminist ideas in each story . This especially is true of Herland, which was the first entry in the collection. In it, Gilman uses a male main character who reports his findings about the women who live in the country of Herland. Gilman uses his narrative voice to explain her ideas and I think she performs well in that function. For a writer of her time, she is easy to understand and is very good at incorporating humor and seriousness in her prose.

Here are the stories I felt were the best in the collection:
Herland
The Yellow Wallpaper (probably the best story and the reason why I bought the collection in the first place)
Her Housekeeper
When I Was a Witch
Martha's Mother
The Boys and the Butter
Turned
Spoken to
Joan's Defender
Mrs. Beazley's Deeds

With a short story collection, it is difficult to give an overall rating, but to do an average of the ratings of each story, which is how I derived at the collection being a 4/5 book for me. As much as I enjoyed Herland and Yellow Wallpaper (these were the best for me), I would prefer to donate this book and let someone else experience her writing.

[Jeannie Miller]

Best known for the haunting "The Yellow Wallpaper," Perkins Gilman was a prolific suffragist writer in the early 20th century. Like many leaders of that movement, she was also a blatant white supremacist and eugenicist. This shows in many places in this book, including the entire contrived premise of the otherwise hokey but interesting "Herland," wherein she posits an isolated utopia of white women on an otherwise "savage" continent.

"The Yellow Wallpaper" still stands up as a haunting piece of storytelling about the isolation and pathologization forced on many otherwise privileged women of the area. The rest of this book is primarily of historical interest, for those who can stomach the author's overt racism and the often pat and didactic plots of her many other story stories about upper-class white women showing upper-class white men the errors of their ways.

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gilman imitates the authorial style of a 19th-century anthropologist disturbingly well. The world that she crafts is detailed, and I was surprised at how systematic she was about all of its elements. Particularly interesting was the organisation of labour. Obviously what disqualifies this text from any feminist or social justice status is its clearly eugenic and racist undertones (and at times, overtones), which Gilman shuttles in under the auspices of Utopianism, as so many exclusionary white feminist texts have done throughout history by envisioning a society in which difference and conflict are erased and a white, straight, non-disabled norm is imposed as emblematic of ‘freedom’ and ‘nature.’ 👎

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is valuable as a piece of feminist due to its inversion of gender roles and the subsequent reaction of the narrator, Van, and the two other male characters. This inversion brings to light how women are diminished outside of Herland and the assumptions made about women by men.

However, Herland also comes with some quite strong racist remarks as well as racist undertones throughout the book, due to Gilman’s strong views on white supremacism. To an extent, the racism present in the book takes away from its feminist focus.

[Brenna Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to take breaks throughout cause that narration was a little too real for me. The eugenics part was terrifying, and Herland and womanhood being reliant/intertwined with motherhood was a huge no-no for me. We've got better feminist utopias out there now so we don't really have to rely on this one anymore. I did enjoy the part where Alima wants to kill Terry--I, too, had a similar experience as I read this novel.

[Kaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this - but I can't say it was my favorite. While overall this was an extremely interesting book, Terry's character pissed me off every time that he spoke... but I guess that was the point of his character. Giving this a 3.5 just because I didn't feel as engaged in the story as I had hoped

[Tray Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Herland is an excellent short novel about a female Utopia.
It is the middle novel in a trilogy.
"The Yellow Wall-Paper" is a much antholgized short story that describes a post-partum depression bout of psychosis in the manner of Poe.

[Bebbie Racette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely fascinating, and the fact that it was written one hundred years ago makes it even more impressive. Gilman dissects gender roles and points out the contradictions in such a motherly way, which makes sense. Loved this.

[Arianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of my favourite feminist pieces of literature of all time. Just wow. This should be read more. No one is talking about this at all. This book is criminally underrated.
Glad that I finished reading this in my teenage years. This is a very important read.

[Gudrun Mouw · Rating 2 out of 5]

The style seemed artificial somehow. On too rare occasion a good wit and pathos.

[Samantha Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the short stories in this book. So smart!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Herland

[Brooke]

*read for university

[Erika Nevins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this engaging from a pop culture lens! Definitely had to take into account the context of when this was written but I still enjoyed the perspective.

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]