A review by james1star
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

challenging dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I wanted to read this as many reviewers of ‘Her’ (finished earlier this month) said they read this after having a good experience with ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ and it’s messages but we’re disappointed at ‘Her’ which I would say is true. This is by far a better story and had more of an impact despite being a fraction of the length. 

I don’t fully get it the first time round so reread it straight after alongside an audiobook and I was definitely able to get more out of it. So maybe try this if you feel slightly lost at a first glance. 

We follow an unnamed protagonist who is essentially confined to a room in a house in the country after her husband and brother (physicians) thought such a stay would do her good. She has a baby with a nanny taking responsibilities so it’s possible the MC is suffering from a bout of postpartum depression but her real mental health issues are pushed aside as mere hysteria, something many women at the time were institutionalised for. Her husband John seems to belittle the protagonist at times, not really taking her concerns and feelings into account - again something common then (and still now), in how men believed women would just submit and go along with what they wanted/said. 

The MC spends hours upon hours of each day stuck in a room plastered with an ugly, deteriorating yellow wallpaper. Here, she becomes infatuated and hooked searching for a pattern and meaning so instead of helping her to get better, this stay actually leads her to a sort of mental breakdown and decent into insanity. She believes a woman is leaving during the day, sneaking around and is out to get her. It is quite a frightening read in parts. 

The writing is definitely not the most lyrical or beautifully penned piece of literature and so from this perspective, it lacks weight. But I believe Gilman didn’t really set out for it do so. Instead, it’s portrayal of a woman’s marriage and deteriorating mental state are more important, with clear messages on the harm that such attitudes towards women and mental illness can have. Would recommend this short little story, it’s very accessible and can throw up many discussions that we should be having. 
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