Objective Summary: “The Yellow Wallpaper”

Summary, Pages 2 (421 words)

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Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” is an interesting gothic short story that uses first-person narration to describe the experiences of a melancholy woman who struggles with losing her mind over the course of the events that take place in the story. Her husband John believes that she is suffering from a mental health issue like depression, so they rent a home for the Summer and the wife is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper. Having all of her freedoms taken away makes the wife’s mental health condition worse, and as the story progresses we see that she is losing her mind completely.

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One major theme of the story is the idea of confinement and how this negatively affects one’s psyche. The setting and the characterization both work together to develop the theme of repression and create a sense of tension in the story.

The setting of “The Yellow Wallpaper” mainly takes place in a room within a mansion.

Over the course of the story, the narrator becomes increasingly delirious and desperate to escape the room. She describes how she hates the wallpaper and starts to become obsessed with it, stating “The color is repellent, almost revolting; a smouldering unclean yellow, strangely faded by the slow-turning sunlight” (Gilman, SLIDE 2). Being confined and forced to stare at the wallpaper she loathes makes the wife unhinged, and she begins to believe there is a literal woman hiding behind the wallpaper. For example, when she states “I didn't realize for a long time what the thing was that showed behind, that dim sub-pattern, but now I am quite sure it is a woman” (Gilman, SLIDE 5).

This setting helps to add a sense of desperacy to the story and develops the idea that being trapped can drive you mad.

In addition to the setting, another aspect that heightens the sense of confinement in the story is the character of John. John is the narrator’s husband, and he dictates everything in his wife’s life including what she eats, when she sleeps, and even whether or not she should be writing in her journal. John’s imprisonment of the wife is supposedly to “help” her feel better and bring her out of her depression, but instead his treatment makes it worse. The wife even begins to dread when her husband comes around, stating “The fact is I am getting a little afraid of John” (Gilman, SLIDE 5). Overall, the character of John contributes to her feelings of helplessness, repression, and eventual madness.

Essay's Scoring Result:

Expert's Assessment

The essay offers a thoughtful analysis of "The Yellow Wallpaper," skillfully exploring themes of confinement and psychological decline. The writer effectively connects the setting and characterization to illuminate the protagonist's deteriorating mental state. The use of a relevant quote supports the arguments, showcasing a grasp of textual evidence. However, some sentences could benefit from greater clarity, and a more nuanced exploration of John's character would enhance the analysis. Overall, it demonstrates a solid understanding of the text and its thematic elements.

How can you enhance this essay?

Consider refining the introduction for conciseness while maintaining clarity. Provide a more nuanced analysis of John's character, exploring his motivations and impact on the protagonist in greater detail. Ensure a smoother transition between the discussion of the setting and the analysis of John's role. Improve sentence structure for enhanced readability and coherence. Additionally, vary the vocabulary to avoid repetition and introduce more diverse language choices. Lastly, consider incorporating a stronger concluding statement to summarize key points and reinforce the thesis.