Psychology and "The Cure"
Another important theme in the story ties into the psychological aspect of the “cure” that is being used on the narrator. After reading the story many people believe that the narrator is suffering post-partum depression after the birth of her son. The cure that was given to the woman is a “three-month rest cure,” which in the 1800s was a common treatment for post-partum depression (Golden 1). Until modern day the cures and treatments for many types of depressions were not truly know.
In modern day the treatment given to the narrator, by her husband, would be considered oppressive and mentally abusive. However, in the 1800s those who were mentally ill were taken away from society. Which is the reason why the narrator was made to stay in her room in the house. Locking the narrator in the nursery may not have been the best treatment for the woman (Wagner-Martin 1). The important theme of the story that deals with the “resting cure” is the criticism that the cure faces as a result of Stetson. Throughout the story the woman complains that no one around her will listen to her and take her feelings and thoughts into consideration. This is a result of Stetson portraying her problems with many of the treatments for depression in the 1800s, as she experienced them first hand (Wagner-Martin 1). A major theme of “The Yellow Wallpaper” is the criticism about the psychological treatment of depression during the time period.
In modern day the treatment given to the narrator, by her husband, would be considered oppressive and mentally abusive. However, in the 1800s those who were mentally ill were taken away from society. Which is the reason why the narrator was made to stay in her room in the house. Locking the narrator in the nursery may not have been the best treatment for the woman (Wagner-Martin 1). The important theme of the story that deals with the “resting cure” is the criticism that the cure faces as a result of Stetson. Throughout the story the woman complains that no one around her will listen to her and take her feelings and thoughts into consideration. This is a result of Stetson portraying her problems with many of the treatments for depression in the 1800s, as she experienced them first hand (Wagner-Martin 1). A major theme of “The Yellow Wallpaper” is the criticism about the psychological treatment of depression during the time period.