Gender Roles
“The Yellow Wallpaper” demonstrates the gender roles of in the late 1800s. The woman says, “She is a perfect and enthusiastic housekeeper, and hopes for no better profession,” in regards to her sister (Stetson 650). As the woman is sick her sister is taking care of the house and child. The sister preforms the wifely duties that were common of most women at that time. During the 1800s, the men were the predominant breadwinners and the women stayed at home. The woman becomes ill while fulfilling her role as a mother and wife (Greene 1). This depression that the woman experiences is a result of the overwhelming role that she must take on as a wife and mother.
Jennie, the sister in-law of the women, is the epitome of the general woman role during the 1800s. She is an imprisoned woman, tied down to her the role of a woman, and does not see a problem with not being able to think for herself. Jennie agrees with her brother that one of the reasons that the woman is still sick is because of her writing (Stetson 650). Jennie does not feel the need to express herself and think about things that most woman of the time did not think about. The woman’s inability to think freely and express herself contributes to her depression, even though her husband thinks that it is helping her.
The husband, John, exemplifies the traditional role of male during the late 1800s. John treats the woman more like a patient of his rather than his equal partner. This is evident when he calls her his “little girl,” or “goose” (Stetson 652). However, it was common in the time period for husbands to not view their wives as equals. Also, John does not allow his wife to write because he feels that it will not help her get better (Stetson 651). In reality writing and being able to express herself was what she wanted, and her restriction to do so resulted in her further losing her grip on reality and her sense of self.
The idea of gender roles in the late 1800s is very prevalent in “The Yellow Wallpaper.” John’s sister Jennie represents the main idea of how a woman should act in the 1800s. Jane does not want to conform to the limiting role of a woman that her sister-in-law embraced. In addition, the husband, John exemplifies the role of a man in the time period and the amount of male dominance that was in the 1800s.
Jennie, the sister in-law of the women, is the epitome of the general woman role during the 1800s. She is an imprisoned woman, tied down to her the role of a woman, and does not see a problem with not being able to think for herself. Jennie agrees with her brother that one of the reasons that the woman is still sick is because of her writing (Stetson 650). Jennie does not feel the need to express herself and think about things that most woman of the time did not think about. The woman’s inability to think freely and express herself contributes to her depression, even though her husband thinks that it is helping her.
The husband, John, exemplifies the traditional role of male during the late 1800s. John treats the woman more like a patient of his rather than his equal partner. This is evident when he calls her his “little girl,” or “goose” (Stetson 652). However, it was common in the time period for husbands to not view their wives as equals. Also, John does not allow his wife to write because he feels that it will not help her get better (Stetson 651). In reality writing and being able to express herself was what she wanted, and her restriction to do so resulted in her further losing her grip on reality and her sense of self.
The idea of gender roles in the late 1800s is very prevalent in “The Yellow Wallpaper.” John’s sister Jennie represents the main idea of how a woman should act in the 1800s. Jane does not want to conform to the limiting role of a woman that her sister-in-law embraced. In addition, the husband, John exemplifies the role of a man in the time period and the amount of male dominance that was in the 1800s.