The Yellow Wall Paper

by Charlotte Perkins Stetson

"If a physician of high standing, and one's own husband assures friends and family that there really is nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression - a slight hysterical tendency - what is one to do?"
This is the story of a young woman whose husband rents a summer home to enable her to recuperate after childbirth. However, what should be a relaxing getaway dissolves into a haunting psychological battle that sees her confined to an attic, drained, depressed and slowly losing her sanity.
This semi-autobiographical story was published in 1892, and immediately denounced in the press. Charlotte Perkins, a sociologist and utopian feminist, provides a startling insight into women's oppression in marriage, madness, postpartum depression, and the ignorance surrounding mental illness. Women's issues, especially as regards mental illness, were often dismissed as hysterics or out rightly ignored. And it's sadly no different today.
Perkin's work is now regarded as feminist literature for its adept portrayal of society's attitude towards the mental health of women. But it doesn't just do that. Written over a century ago, it offers insight today into society's treatment and ignorance of mental health.
It's a must read for everyone, especially for people with friends or relatives who struggle with mental health issues.

Genres: Classics

26 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2021

Reviews

[Kelly Kosinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very uncomfortable book, feel a little terrified due to just the idea of feeling trapped like this poor woman!!

[Ribena Beetroot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this twice to really get it. A very uncomfortable read that left me feeling a kind of subdued terror and anguish. A visceral description of the maddening experience of living under captivity and coercion that is disguised as love and good sense. Written as a critique of women's lot in marriage at the time (turn of the 20th century) but equally applicable to anyone forced to comply with authoritarian methods.

[Nicolette Thurlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

What just…. What?

Okay, so, this took a lot of brain power to understand since the writing is from the 1800’s. However, the overarching theme of a patriarchal society and the constraints on women was loud and clear. The view of the main character’s mental health and how it was so easily cast aside was also prominent. I’ll admit, I did google the “meaning” of this book as soon as I finished it and it helped me link together some of the missing pieces.

Given the intended purpose and themes, the story did its job, and quite well for only being 40 pages long.

[Katelyn Furtick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this short story for my literature class, and actually really enjoyed it!

[Mónica Barreiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clássico de literatura feminista do século XIX trata-se de um conto, narrado na primeira pessoa, um pouco perturbante e uma crítica ao patriarcado.
Após o nascimento da sua filha, uma mulher é diagnosticada com depressão pós parto. O seu marido é médico e resolve alugar uma casa por algum tempo com o intuito de curar a sua esposa.
Resolve instalá-la num quarto com um papel de parede assustador amarelo, impedindo-a de qualquer contacto com a sociedade além dele próprio, quando não está a trabalhar, e de sua irmã.
Após várias súplicas ao esposo para retirá-la daquele quarto, a que este não acede, a mulher cria uma obsessão pelo papel de parede e acaba por desenvolver uma grave psicose.
Conclusão: se naquele período as mulheres tivessem "voz" e lhes fosse permitido tomar as suas decisões algumas situações poderiam ter sido evitadas.
Pela coragem que esta autora teve ao escrever esta peça numa época em que as mulheres quase não eram ouvidas mereceu as minhas 4 estrelas.

[Marta Teixeira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short story, but I liked it a lot. The pacing is good as well as the abstract feeling. Although you know exactly where it goes it does it so very well. It's a light read but it has small parts where you can fell the dread of being a women in time where your voice is null and men gaslight you just because that is the normal thing to do.

[celina · Rating 3 out of 5]

a confusing, mysterious book that left me confused, but i love the meaning behind the story.

[aud · Rating 4 out of 5]

need to read queer analyses on this IMMEDIATELY