University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Trace: Tennessee Research and Creative
Exchange
Doctoral Dissertations
Graduate School
8-1990
The Patriarchy and Women: A Study of Charlotte
Perkins Gilman's 'The Yellow Wallpaper'"
Margaret Victoria Delashmit
University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Recommended Citation
Delashmit, Margaret Victoria, "The Patriarchy and Women: A Study of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's 'The Yellow Wallpaper'". " PhD diss.,
University of Tennessee, 1990.
http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/2662
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To the Graduate Council:
I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Margaret Victoria Delashmit entitled "The Patriarchy
and Women: A Study of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's 'The Yellow Wallpaper'"." I have examined the final
electronic copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in English.
William H. Shurr, Major Professor
We have read this dissertation and recommend its acceptance:
Allison Ensor, Mary Papke, Susan Becker
Accepted for the Council:
Dixie L. Thompson
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
(Original signatures are on file with official student records.)
To the
I
am
Gra du ate
Council:
submitti n g
M ar garet
Women:
A
Victoria
Stud y
of
W all paper ."'
I
dissertation
for
herewit h
a
Del ashmit
entitl ed
Charl otte
hav e
form
diss ertati o n
Perkins
examin e d
and
the
content
"The
writ ten
Patriarchy
G ilm an's
fi nal
and
'The
copy
recommend
by
an d
Yellow
of
this
that
it
be accept e d i n pa rtial fulfil lm ent o f the requ i re m ents
for the d e g re e of D oct o r of P hi l osophy, with a m a jor i n
English.
�
-11.
- - -------------
William H.
We have
rea d this
and recommend its
A1 . .
��
Shurr,
--------
Major
Profess or
diss ertation
acceptance:
--�--�-------
�-�g�----��1L �-=-�-Accepted f or the C ouncil:
Vice
Prov ost
and D ean
of The
Graduate Scho ol
T H E P A T R IA R C H Y A N D W OM E N :
A S TUD Y OF CH A R L O T T E P E R K I N S G I LMA N ' S
" T H E Y E L L OW W A LLP A P E R "
A D is sertation
P r e se n t e d fo r t h e
Do c t o r o f P h i l o so p h y
D e gr e e
T h e U n iv e r s i t y o f Te n n e s s e e ,
K n o xv i l l e
M a r g a r e t V i c t o r i a D e l as h m i t
A u g us t
19 9 0
Cop y ri gh t
.M.a.r.g.a.r�..1!_:t_j,_g_tgri s L.D�l5U�hmi..t.
All r i g h t s re s er v e d
©
1990
I d e d i c a t e t h i s d i s s e r t a t i on t o m y
c h i l dr en ,
S ha r o n ,
Ray ,
iii
and M i c h el e .
A C K N OW LE DG M E N T S
I a m i nd e b t e d t o m y d i r e c t o r ,
c om m i t t e e
mem bers,
W il l i a m S h u rr ,
Mary P a pke ,
A l l i so n
E n so r ,
an d t o m y
and
S u sa n
B e c k e r , f or t h e i r p a t i e n c e i n r e a d i n g t h i s d i s s e rt a t i o n
when it w a s n ot yet c l ea r in m y o w n mi nd w h a t exac tl y I
wi she d
to
ac cu mul ate d .
o f d i r e c t i on
do
w i th
Their
the
abundance
gui d a n ce
of
i n spired
mat erial
me
t ow ard
t h at u l t i ma t e ly s h a p e d t h i s s t u d y .
iv
I
a
had
se n se
ABS T R A CT
Cha rl o t t e
go t h i c
w o r l d for t he
p e r , " a nd
who m
in
This
life
th a t
m a ny
other
he r
he r
studies ,
within
h er
Ye l l o w
o wn
W a l l pa ­
a g o t h i c h e r oi n e t o
s u c c e e d i n g g e n e ra t i o n s
and
to
it
create
its
th e
this
"T h e
t re a t s
ap a r t f r o m
g o th i c
era t u r e a nd
she c reated
ow n
s t ud y i n t e r p re t s
fe m a l e
r ea c h ed
coul d
s t u d y e xa m i n e s t h e e l e m e n t s i n G il m a n ' s
help e d
a w o r k o f a rt
G i l m an
i n s p i ra t i o n f o r " T h e
doing s o ,
w o m en o f
rel a t e .
Thi s
P e rk i n s
st or y ;
Ye l l o w
a ut h or
un l i k e
W a l l p ap e r " a s
a s m uc h
as
p o ss i bl e .
s t o r y a s a n e xa m p l e o f t h e
Gil man ' s
and e xam i n e s
bu t
p h il o so p hy
of
li t -
h e r s k i l l i n e m p l o y i n g t h e n a r ra t i v e v o i c e
t o d e p i c t h e r h e r o i ne a s a g r o t e s qu e w i t h i n th e c o n t e xt
of
n i n e t e e nt h - c e n t u r y
t ic e s .
f e m al e
It
al so
Vict o rian
ana l y ze s
mo r e s
a nd
he r u n i que
d o p p l e ga n g e r b y c o m p a r i n g a n d
p rac ­
med ical
t re a t m ent
of
t he
c on t r a s t i n g h e r u s e
o f t h i s d e v i c e w i t h t h a t o f D o s t o e v s k y ' s i n 1h�-D�YQ1�.
A
d i f f e re n t
ty p e
of
do ubl i n g ,
t ha t
of
th e
be loved
Othe r ,
i s a l s o d i s c u s s e d i n an e f f o r t t o un d e r s t an d t h e s e x u a l
r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n G i l m a n ' s n a r r a t o r a n d h e r ph y s i c i a n­
husband
Jo h n.
The
early
h is t ory
of
the
story
t h en
p r e c e d e s a n a n n o t a t e d b i b l i o g ra p hy o f G i l m a n c r i t i c i s m i n
c h ro n o l o g i c a l
order
b e ginning w i th
Ca rl
De gl e r ' s
1 956
a r t i c l e a n d i n c l u d i n g d i s s e r ta t i o n s a n d p u b l i s h e d c r i t i
cism
t hrough
1 9 89 .
v
T AB L E OF CONTENTS
C H AP T E R
P A GE
I N T R O D U CT I O N
I.
G I L M AN ' S
1
P E R S O N AL I T Y :
T RU T H A ND F I CT I O N
II.
III .
WH AT K IN D O F L I T E R AT U R E I S TH I S ?
" TH E Y E LL OW W A L L P A P E R "
G OTH I C :
IV .
9
G OT H I C :
AN D T H E FE MA L E
T H E M Y S T E R Y AN D T H E G R O T E SQ U E
" T H E Y E LL O W W ALL P A P E R '
V I CTO R I A N S O CI ET AL A N D
106
" T HE Y E L LO W WAL L P AP E R " A ND T H E G O T H I C :
T H E DO UB L E AS E V I L S EL F
VI.
75
A N D T H E F E MA L E
MED I C AL V I EW S
V.
50
" T H E YE L LO W W AL L P A P E R "
143
A N D T HE G O TH I C :
T H E D O U B L E AS L O V E R / D E S T R O Y E R
1 89
21 9
C ONCL U S I O N
H I S T O R I C A L S U M M A RY A N D AN N O T A T E D
B I B L I O G R A P HY
C RI T I C IS M ,
O F G IL MA N
1 9 5 6 - 1 9 89
22 8
B I B L I OG R A PH Y
304
V I TA
327
vi
I N T RODUCT I O N
I
wa s
f i r st
in t r o d uc e d
to
"The Y e l l o w
W a l l p ap e r "
t h r o u g h a t e l e v i s e d p r o d u c t i o n o f th e s t o r y o n t h e e d u c a ­
t i o nal
channe l .
I
was
in
a
h o sp i t a l
wearing
a
he a rt
m o n i t o r at t h e t i m e , a n d w h i l e t h e p r o d u c t i o n w a s n o t a
parti cula rly good one ,
t h e s t o r y l o d g e d i n m y m i n d a nd
n a gge d at m e un t i l I fi n a l l y l oc a t e d a c o py a nd r e ad i t .
A f t e r r e ad i n g t h e s t o ry ,
I r e a l i z e d t h a t i n s o m e r e s p e ct s
t h e n a r r a t o r ' s 1 i f e p a r a 1 1 e 1 e d m y o w n a n d t h o s e o f m a ny
o f m y fr i e n d s w h o , l i k e m y s e l f , g r e w u p d u r i n g t h e f i f ­
t i e s a n d s i x t i e s.
M a n y o f th e s a m e
pa t ri a r c h al a t t i t u d e s
t o w a r d w o m e n t h a t r e d u c e d G i l m a n ' s na r r a t o r t o m ad n e s s
were
inc u l c at ed
w el l ,
in
my
generat ion
of
m e n a n d w o m e n as
a n d t h e t e ns i o n s c r e a t e d b y t h o s e a t t i t ud e s f i n a l l Y
i n d u c e d s y m p t o m s s ug g e s t i v e o f h e a r t f a i l u r e i n
b o d y.
U n l i k e G i l m a n ' s na r r a t o r , ho w ev e r , I
my o w n
re t u r n e d to
m y w o rk w i t h t h e r e a l i z at i o n t h at m y h e a r t w a s h e a l t h y
b u t m y ne r v o u s s y st e m w a s e x h a u s t e d f r o m
gl e s
r e su l t i ng
a t t ai n
from
e f fo r t s t o b a la n c e m y d e si r e to
p e r s o n al g o a l s a t t h e un iv e rs i t y w i t h m y g u i l t
at t e m p t i n g t o a t t a i n t h o s e go a l s .
w as
a
i n t e r n a l s t r u g­
l i b e ra t e d
wo man,
d eep
at
A l t h o u g h I t h o ug h t I
wi th i n
my
s ubc o ns cious
I
" k n e w " t hat
I
re a l l y b e l o n ge d b a c k ho m e k e e p i n g h o u s e f o r
m y h u s b a n d , a n d I d o u b t e d m y a b i l i t y t o p e r fo r m w e l l i n
t he
wo r l d
ma l e
to r ,
I
w a nt e d
wo r k o f
of books
to
m y own,
be
b ut
a
Li k e G i l m an ' s n a r r a-
an d i d e a s.
s t r on g ,
i n d e p e nd e n t
m y p re v i o us
wom an wi t h
e x p e r i e nc e s - - n o t
th e n a r rat o r ' s - - h ad r e d u c e d m y s e l f - c o nf i d e n c e
ta t i on s .
I n m a n y r e s p e c t s m y s to r y i s n o t
legion.
In
ano t he r
we
age
m i ght
be
un li k e
and
ex p e c ­
un i q ue ;
w e a re
diagno s ed
as
hy s t e r i c s .
Sin ce
"T h e
Y ello w
Wa l l p a p e r"
is
a
f i c t i on al i z e d
a c c o u n t o f a n ac t u a l a u t o b i o g r a p h i ca l e x p e ri e n c e ,
I,
e n t i t l ed " G i l m a n' s P e rs o n a l i ty :
i s d ev o t e d t o i n c i d e n t s
e x p l a in
h e r l at e r
from
b eh a v io r .
Fa c t a nd F i c t i o n , "
G i l m an ' s
The
Chap ter
e ar ly
rea d e r w i l l
l i fe
t hat
not ice
par­
a l l e l s b e t w e e n G i l ma n ' s l i f e a n d t h a t o f h e r n a r r a to r ,
b et w e e n h e r h u s b a n d W a l t e r a nd
John ,
an d b e t w e e n G i l m an ' s e x p e r i e n c e s
M i t c h e l l' s
w it h
h e r n a r ra t o r ' s h u s b a nd
Dr.
p re scrip t i o ns and h e r
J o hn ' s
p r e s c r ip t i o n s .
As
w i t h D r.
s.
Weir
n a r ra t o r ' s exp e r i e nc e s
t he
study
p ro g r e s s e s ,
t h e w o m a n r e a d e r , e s p e c i a l l y , w i l l al s o n o t i c e t h a t t h e
p a r a l l e l s e x t e n d t o i n c l u d e t he l i v e s o f a g r e a t n u m b e r
o f o t h e r w o m e n w h o m sh e k n o w s a s w e 1 1 .
Keeping
in
m i nd
Mary
A.
2
Hil l ' s
a s s e rt i o n
in
her
b i o g r ap h y o f G i l m an t h a t Gi l m an ' s a ut o b i og r a p h y s o m e t i m e s
c on t r ad i c t s h e r d i a r i e s
ph y as
s o ur c e
m a t e r ia l
I h a ve u s ed
(45),
o n ly
w he n H i l l
po s si ble ,
I h av e
h o w e v er ,
au t o b i o g r a ­
d o e s n ot
o r w h e n H i l l ' s t e x t s e e m s t o c o r ro bo r a t e
W he n ev e r
the
re fute i t
G il m an's
used
me m o ry .
Gil man's
o wn
I n a fu r t h e r a t t e m p t t o p r e s e nt a b a l a n c e d p i c ­
wo rd s.
ture o f Gil man ,
I have
G i l m a n' s
d au g ht e r
pre sent
their
t h e i r l i v e s.
qu o te d
Katharine
a nd
i m p ressions
My
use
of
fr o m H i l l ' s
of
i nt e r v i e w
Wal t e r ' s
fro m
th i s i mp o rt a n t
Walter's
di a r i e s
m e m or i es i n th i s p a rt i c u l a r w ay ,
and
w it h
di ari e s
to
wo m a n
in
K a t har in e 's
as w e l l a s m y c o n c l u ­
s i o n s a b o u t t h e r e a s o n s f o r C h a r lo t t e ' s s h o r t c o m i n g s a s a
m o t he r ,
are
m y o ri gi n a l c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o t h i s c h a p t e r .
C h ap t e r I I ,
Th i s ? , " i s a
e nt i t l ed
" Wha t
Kind
of
L i t e ra t u r e
is
s t u d y o f G i l m a n ' s p h i l o s o p h y o f l i t e r a t u r e as
e x p r e s s e d in a r t i c l e s
sh e w r o t e
s he de m on s t r a t e s i n h e r w o r k .
f o r 1h§_lQr!£YDn§r a n d as
A l t ho u g h h e r w r i t i n g i s
of t e n c o n s i d e r e d i n fe r i o r a s a r t ,
i t i s the product
of
G i l m a n ' s c o n s c i o u s s e a r c h f o r a v e h i c l e t h a t w o u l d p r e­
se n t w o m e n i n
d i ff e r e n t r o l e s f r o m t h o s e p a s s i v e o n e s in
w h i c h m al e a u t h o r s h a d t r a d i t i o n a l l y c a s t t h e m .
I n her
at t e m p t s to
must-­
assume
t he
d e m ons t rate
that
re sponsib i l it y o f
3
wo m e n
m ak i ng
c o u l d - - a nd
ra t i o n a l c ho i c e s f o r
t h e i r l i v e s t ha t i n c l u d ed
care e r s in t h e w or l d o ut sid e
t h e h o m e , h e r w r it i n g i s d i d a c t i c ,
as she intend e d ,
it i s a l s o of t e n l i ve l y a nd e n t e rt a i n in g .
but
Her l iterary
t e c hn i q u e s a r e d e m o n s t r a t e d i n e x p l ic a t i o n s o f s e v e ra l o f
h er
sho r t
a s a p r e f ac e f o r a n i n - d e p t h
C ha p t e r I I I
b e gi n s
a
p ro b a b l y n o t
t he
m e ans
chose
h e r.
As
the
d an g e r ,
of " T h e
Yel l o w
W al l p a ­
m u c h t ha t
G i l m a n ch o s e t h e g o th i c
s t o ry
inf o rm at i o n
as
in
t hat
this
t he
it
as
gothic
di s se rtat ion
t h e go t h i c a p pe al s to w o m e n b e c a u s e w o m en
f r e q u en t l y
sur rounde d
study
o f p re sen t i n g thi s
il l u s t rat es ,
ha v e
so
s t ud y o f t h a t w o r k .
A s o n e c r it i c h a s o b s e r v e d ,
p e r " a s a go t h i c st o ry .
was
Wa l l p a p e r "
c ul mi n a t i n g i n "T h e Y e l l o w
s t o ri e s ,
by
inhab i t e d
go t h i c
a nd ent rapm e nt ,
got hi c
e l em e n ts
worlds.
that
T r ad i t i o n a l l y
i nc l uded
myst ery ,
i t w a s i n ev i t a b l e t h a t t h ey w o u l d
p ro je c t t h e i r f e a r s a n d f r u s t r a t i o n s i n t o t h e i r o w n e n ­
coded
lit era ture .
T h i s ch a p t e r ,
W a l l p ap e r ' and t h e F e m a l e Go t h i c :
G r o t e sq u e , "
is
to
U s i ng
wo m e n.
a s t udy
e nt i t l e d " 'T h e Y e l l ow
T he M y st ery and t he
o f t h e g o t h ic g e n r e a n d i t s a p p e a l
J u l i an n
F l e e no r ' s
f i v e - po i nt
d e f i n i t i on
o f t h e f e m al e g o t h i c a s a l o o s e f ra m e w o rk f o r t h i s a n d
t h e ne x t c h a p t e r , I b e g i n m y o w n i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f " T h e
Y el l o w W a l l p a pe r" t ha t c o n t i n u e s t hr o ugh o u t t h e e nt i r e
4
di s se r t at i on .
e x a m i ne
In
G i l m an ' s
prod u ce
the
m a n i pu l at i o n
grotesqu e ,
a
p art
l at t e r
of
a nother
of
the
this
cha p t e r ,
n a r ra t i v e
go thic
voi c e
el e m e nt
in
I
to
t hi s
story .
Ch a p t e r I V ,
co n t i n u a t i on
l i v es .
of
the
s tu dy
the
i n fo r m at i on
u nd e r s t a nd i n g
w it h i n h e r wo r l d
n a r ra t o r ' s .
an d
of
the
go t h i c
an d ,
l a ym e n
t h e r e fo re ,
t o w ar d
got hi c one
in
w o m e n's
V
b egi n s
wom an's
o f G i l m an ' s
fo r
p o si t i o n
an d o f
he r
n i n e t e e n t h - ce n t ur y p hy s i -
w o m an ' s
a
e l em ent
"'The Yello w
a s E v il
term
im po r t a n t
se xual
an d
r e p r o du c t iv e
co m m o n l y d i a gn o s e d a s hy s t e r i a
T h e Vi c t or i a n w o m a n ' s w o r l d w a s tr u l y a
go t h i c
en t i t l e d
is
in m any re spec t s.
Cha p t e r
a n o the r
he r e
Vi c t o r i a n
Th e attitudes of
a r e ex am i ne d .
The
the
p r es e n t e d
o r ga n s a n d t h e p h e n o m e n o n
D o ub l e
of
a s p r om i n e n tl y i n t h i s c h a p t e r a s i t d o e s i n t h e
ot h e r s ,
c i ans
a nd t h e
A l th ou g h "T he Y e l l o w W a l l p ap e r " d o e s n o t fi gu r e
qui t e
an
" ' T h e Y e l l o w W al l p ap e r '
Vi c t o r i an S o c i e t a l an d M e d i c a l Vi e w s , " i s
Fe m a l e G o t h i c :
a
e nt i t l e d
Se l f , "
" got hi c "
two-p a rt
in
study
l i t e ra t u r e .
Wal lp ap e r '
a nd
is
of
ra t h e r
a
st ud y
than
" fe m ale
t he
the
of
d o u bl ing,
Thi s
c ha p t e r ,
Go th ic :
The
d o p p e l gan g e r .
go t h i c "
is
used
in
thi s ti t l e b e ca us e d o ub l i n g i s n o t p e cu l ia r to wo m e n in
5
l i te ra t u r e .
d ep i c t e d
Act u a l l y ,
m o re
fe m al e ;
than
m al e
y et ,
d o p p e l ga n g e rs
G i l m an
h a v e b e en
creates
a
fe m a l e
d o p p e l gan g e r .
I n a n e ffo r t t o d e t e rm i n e i f d i f f e re nc e s
e x i st
male
betw een
in
W a l l p a p e r" a r e
some
fe m a l e
tre at m e n t s
of
this
lit­
D o s t o e v s k y ' s .I.lUL].QY..Ql§ a n d G i l m a n ' s " T h e
e ra ry d e v ic e ,
Ye l lo w
and
d e t a il .
e xa m i n e d ,
In
t he
c o m pa r e d ,
latter
pa r t
a n d c o n t ra s t e d
of
t he
chap t e r ,
s e v e r a l o t h e r w o rk s b y b o t h m a l e an d fe m a l e a u t h o r s a re
d i s c u s se d
in
c o n j u c t i o n w it h "T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p ap e r . "
C ha pte r V I ,
t h e Go th i c :
ent i t le d " ' T h e Y e l l o w
th i s
in
lo v e r s .
the s e a rc h f o r t h e b elov e d
p s yc ho a na l y t i c a l l y ,
T h e d o ub l e s
i n a d i f f e r e nt v e i n .
c o n s i d e re d
w i fe
and
T h e D o u bl e a s L o v e r / D e s t r o y e r , " c o n t i n ue s
t h e d ou b l in g t h e m e b u t
As
W a l l p ap e r '
ch a p t e r
John's
are
l ov e r s
pat ri archal
or
p o t en ti al
O t h e r i s vi e w ed
t r e a t m e nt
and h e r c o mp l i a n c e w i t h t h a t t r e a t m e n t a r e
fo r m o t i v a t i on .
h is
e xa m i ne d
Sinc e the n arrato r ac cep t s John as an
a ut ho r i t a t i v e f a t h e r f i g u re a n d s i nc e
a s h i s " lit tl e
of
gi rl , "
se x u a l d e v e l o p m e n t .
b o t h p ro b ab l y
T he y e l l ow
J o h n vie w s h i s w i fe
s uf fer
f ro m
a r re s t ed
co l o r p r e v a l e n t i n t he
s t o ry a nd t h e m y s t e r i o u s " y e l l o w s m el l " t h a t p e r m e a t e s
t he
nar rat o r ' s
w or ld
c ar ry
s e xu a l
c onno t a t i ons
a nd
T h e un io n o f t h i s hu s b a n d
s y m b o l i z e s e x u al i t y i t s e l f .
6
and
w i fe
is
s a t i s fyi n g r e l a t i o n s h i p
not t h e
A r i s to p h a n e s
e n v i si o n e d w h e n h e de f i n e d th e b e l o v e d O t h e r a s th e O t h e r
who
c o mp l e m e nt s o r
c o mp l e t e s ;
t h e l o v e r a n d t h e be l o v e d
fo r m a uni t ��Qgy�� t he y a r e di f f e r e n t a n d e a c h c o m p l e t e s
t
he
I n s t ea d ,
o t her .
h i s o w n i m ag e ,
i ma ge
o f h is
J ohn ,
m o re
li k e
Nar c i s s u s w h o
loved
a t t e m pt s t o for-m h i s w i f e i n t o a f e m a l e
l o g i ca l s e l f
fe r e n t n e s s " a s a
i n s t ea d o f a c c e p t i n g h e r " d i f ­
co u n t e rp a r t t o a n d c o m p l e t e r o f
himself.
T he s e c o n d s ec t ion of th i s s t ud y i s d i vi de d i n to tw o
c h ap t e r s .
Chap ter I ,
" T h e H i s t or y o f ' Th e Y e l l o w
p e r , "' i s a n a c c o u n t o f t h e
by h er cont e m po rarie s i n
f i r st
com pl ete
c o m p i l a t i on
re c e p t i o n o f G i l m an ' s s t o ry
It
1 892.
is
fol l o w e d
by
o f G i lman c r i t i c i s m ,
t a t e d b i b l i o gr a ph y t h a t b e g i n s w i t h C a r l
the
a n a n no ­
D e gl e r ' s
i n 1 9 5 6 a n d i n c l u d e s c r i t i c i sm t h r o u g h 1 9 8 9 .
c h r o n o l o gi c a l o r d e r ,
W a l l p a-
art i c le
A r ra n g e d in
t h i s b i b l i o gr a ph y i s a r e c o r d o f t he
s t o r y ' s , a n d G i l m a n ' s , g ra d u a l e m e r g e n c e f r o m o b s c u r i t y
to
p r o m i n en c e ,
It i s a l so
dem i cs.
cr i t i c i s m
d e c a d es,
ch i e f l y
and
its
w i th i n
th e
w o rl d
of
f e m al e
a r e cord of the grow t h of
m a ny
s ch o o l s
d ur i n g
the
aca-
l i t er ary
pa s t
t hr ee
f o r a l m o s t ev e r y s c hoo l i s r e p r e s en t e d i n t h i s
b o dy o f c r i t i c i s m .
Perhaps,
a s S u sa n L a n s e r a r gue s ,
7
"T h e
Yel l ow
W a l lp a -
pe r "
is not
a u n iv e r s a l t e x t b ut
sp e a k s r at h e r
It
is
to
a p a rad i g m
w o m e n in t h e W e s t e r n w o r l d
( 424 ,
of a l l
be ing a wo man i n a
t h e ir
exp eriences o f
4 3 4 ).
wh i t e
p a tr i a r­
ch a l s o ci a l s ys t e m , an d t h i s s t u d y fo c u s e s o n t h e s t o r y
i n an at t e m p t t o u n d e r s t a n d b o t h t h e u nd e r l y i n g r e a s o ns
fo r p a t r i a r c hY ' s ef fe c t s on w o m e n an d
t he ms e l v e s.
p o r t ra y e d
a
From
within
he r
goth ic
w o m a n v e r y l i k e h e r s el f ,
ve r y l i k e m a n y ot h e r w o m en a s w e l l ,
a
c l a s si.c.
8
s o m e o f th e e f f e c t s
e x i s t e nc e
and
b ec a u s e
G i l man
she
is
t h i s s t or y h a s b e c o m e
CH A P T E R I
G I L MA N ' S P E R S O N A L I T Y :
T R U T H A N D F I C TI O N
I f i g u r e d i t o ut t h a t t h e b u s in e s s o f m a nk i n d
w a s t o c a r r y o u t t h e e vo l u t i on o f t he h u ma n
rac e ,
a c c o rd i n g t o t h e l aw s of na t u r e ,
t h e c o ns c i o u s d i re c t i o n ,
t he
add ing
te l i c fo r c e ,
p r o p e r t o o ur k i n d - - w e a r e t h e o n l y c r e a t u r e s
t h at c an a s s i s t ev o l ut io n ;
S o c ia l ev o l ut i on I
w o rk .
is to
T h e r e fo r e t h e f i r s t l aw o f l i f e
.
was clear
.
ea s i ly s a w t o b e in h u ma n
.
•
.
T h e f i r s t d u t y o f a h u ma n b e i n g
a s s um e a r i g h t f u n c t i o n al
- -m o re b r i ef l y ,
r e l a t i o n t o s o ci e t y ,
t o f i nd y ou r r e a l
job ,
and do i t .
- - - C h ar l o t t e P e r k i n s G i l m a n
At
C.,
one
the
1989
se ssion
MLA
w as
c on fe r e n c e h e l d in
dev o t ed
to
Char l o t t e
A p p r o x i m a t e l y s e v e n t y - f i v e p eo p l e
d e s i g n e d t o ho l d a b o u t t h i r t y .
H e d ge s
mad e
t he
o b s e rv at i o n
9
t hat
s at
W as h i ng t o n ,
Pe rki n s
D.
G i l m a n.
a n d s to o d i n a r o o m
A t t h i s se s si o n E l aine
in
the
p a s t f o u r y e ar s
a r o und
f if t e e n
artic l es
b e e n p u b l i sh e d ,
t w elve"
on
" T he
"com p a r ed
to
Yel l o w
W a l l pa p e r"
fo ur t e e n
in
th e
A t t h i s s a m e s e s s i on l e a f l e t s
( 3) .
had
p rev i o u s
were di strib-
u t e d t o g a u g e i n t e r e s t i n a p r o j e c t e d C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s
Th i s f l u r r y o f i n t e r e s t a n d i n c r e a s e d
Gil man Society.
a c t i vi t y c e n t e r i n g o n G i l m a n r a is e s
w a s t h i s w o m an
a nd
why
so
h i s t o r y ��
readers
W ho
w ho m f e w p e o p l e r e m e m b e r e d u n t i l re c e n t l y
m u ch
inte re st
ans w e rs t o
The
w i th
s o m e qu e s t i o n s .
i n f o r m a t io n
li t e r ary m e r it
and h e r
in
her
at
thi s
t he se q u e s t io ns
to
p a st ,
help
th e m
p r es e nt ,
point
wil l pro vi d e
j u d ge
and
in
both
fu tu r e
h er
in f l u ­
e n c e o n t h e fe m in i s t m o ve m e n t .
Gif ted
address
one
of
w o m en ' s i s s u e s
t w e nt ie t h
le c t u r e r
t i me .
with
centuri es,
and
He r
t e x t bo ok
writer
b o ok ,
f or
ut t e ra n c e "
<1h � _N_g,k.:iQ.!!
_
the
-411 3 ;
s uc c e s s
in
"Ge r m a n ,
J a p a n es e ,
Ru s s i an"
and
this
by
most
b r i ll i an t
Gilman
on
the
was
m u ch
in
c o n d it i o n o f
d e m a nd
w o m en
used
as
w as c a l l e d " t h e m o st
w om a n
qu e s t i o n
q uo t e d
c o un t r y ,
F r en c h ,
191 1
m in d s
to
i n t he l a t e n i n e t e e nt h a n d e a r l y
}{Q!Q.�.!L�!!.SL].QQ!!Q.!!t:i.Q.§ ,
a t i me ,
on
the
had
since
was
D u t ch ,
b e en
10
th en
p u b l i s h ed
M il l
i m m ed iate
t r ans l ated
in
the
s i g n i f i c an t
An
I t a l ian ,
a
c o l l ege
Jo h n S t u a r t
b y D eg l e r 2 1 ) .
it
a
at
as
H u n ga r i an ,
into
and
s e ve n E n g l i s h
edit ion s
( Degl e r 22 n 6 ).
I n ad d i t i on t o t h i s i m p o rt a n t
c on t r i b u t i o n t o t h e fe m in i s t m o v e m e n t ,
o t h e r n o n - f i c t i o n w o rk s ,
m an y a r t i c l e s ,
a
poem s ,
m o nt h l y m ag a z i n e ,
s ev e n
s h e a l so w r o t e s i x
n o v el s ,
a n d s ho r t
a b o ok o f p o e t ry ,
s e v en v o l u m e s o f
s to r i e s ,
1h�_lQr���nn�r,
and an
au t o b i o g r a p hy
w h i c h w a s p u b l i s h ed a f t e r h e r d e a t h i n 1 9 3 5 .
T w e n t i et h- c e n t u r y s o c i a l h i s t o r i a n s v i ew h e r a s a
ma j o r i n f l u e n c e i n t h e a d v a n c e m e n t o f t h e c o n d i t i o n o f
w o m e n i n A m e r i c a d u r i n g t h e e a r l y y e a r s o f t h e c e nt u r y .
A i l e en S . K r a d i t o r , f o r e x a mp l e ,
o bs er ves
that Gi l ma n ' s
w a s th e o n l y " s y s t e m a t i c t h e o r y l i nk i n g t h e d e m a nd fo r
s uf f r a g e w i t h t h e l on g s w e e p o f h i s t o r y " a n d c a l l s he r
"th e
I
mo s t inf l u e nti al
g e n e r at i o n
W il l i a m
L.
in
the
O'Ne i ll
ana l ys i s o f t h e
w om a n th i n k e r i n t h e pr e - Wo r l d W a r
United
d e c l a re s
S t at e s"
t hat
(9 7).
sh e
S im ilarly,
" m ad e
the fi n e st
re l a t i o n b e t w e en d o m e s t i c i t y a n d
r i gh t s"
(vi i ) ,
a nd
g re a t e s t
w r it e r
t ha t
A n dr e w
the
S incl air
fe m in i st s
e ve r
calls
w o m en ' s
her
p r o du c e d
on
"the
so ­
c i o l o gy a n d e c o n o m i c s , t h e M a r x a n d Ve b l e n o f t h e m o v e ­
ment" ( 2 7 2 ) .
I n f l u e n t i al
tow a r d the
a s sh e w a s
fem i n i st
t he n ,
m ovem ent
h o w e v e r , w o m e n ' s a p a th y
after
they
w e r e g r an t e d
s uf f r a g e a n d t h e i n t e r v e n t i o n o f t w o w o r l d w a r s c a u s e d
1 1
Gil m an's
Gil man
works
wa s
to
d e s c e nd
r ed i s co v e r e d
Ca r l D e g l e r ' s
arti cle
in
gra d u a l l y
1 956
e n t it l e d
with
i nt o
t he
o b s c ur i t y .
p u b l ic a t i o n
of
"Char l o t te P er k i n s G il m a n
o n t h e T h eo r y a n d P r ac t ic e o f F e m in i s m , "
and
her
p u r p os e
as D e g l e r st a t e s it ap p e a l e d to a new a u d i e n c e o f w om e n
w e r e o nc e m o r e
w ho
of
b e c o m i n g d i ss a t i s f ie d w i t h t he i r
la ck
e qu a l i t y :
H e r c o n ce r n i n a l l h e r w ri t i n g s w as e s s e n t i a l l y t wo fold:
to
show
the
d i s a s t ro u s
and
a l l - p e r va s i v e
e f f e c t s up o n w o m e n a n d u p o n s o c i e t y o f th e co n t i n u e d
s u p p r e s s i o n o f h e r s e x ; a n d t o d e m o n s t r a t e i n t h eo r y
an d p r a c t i c e
ri g ht f u l
Thi s
of
purpo s e
m e a ns w he r e b y wo m en c o u ld
(22 )
p l ac e i n s o c i e t y.
is
re f l e c t e d
in
a s s um e t h e i r
M a ry
A.
Hill's
e x p l a n a ti o n
G il m a n ' s a p p e a l to her a s a s u b j e c t o f s t u d y . Hi l l ' s
a c c o un t
al so
expla i ns
Gil m a n' s a ppe al
to
o t h er w o m e n
t o d ay - - e s s e n t i a l l y t h e s a m e r e a s o n s s h e a pp e a l e d t o w o m e n
a
c en t u r y a g o :
I w as l o ok i n g f o r a h e r oi n e , f o r c l o s e r c o n t ac t w i t h
a w o m an wh o c o u l d a r t i c u l a t e m y o w n f r u s t ra t i o n s a n d
expl ain
wo m e n ' s
t o m y l i fe .
r e c o n c il e
pro b l e m s
in
w ay s
r el at i n g
H e r c onc e rns w e re m in e a s w e l l :
f a m i l y r e s p o n si b i l i t i e s w i t h
12
di r e c t l y
h o w to
pro f es s i on a l
a m b i t i on s ;
s ma l l
how
children
w r it e ;
how to
wo rk.
(3)
T he s e
conce rns
m at i z e d
by
to
of
the
be
an d
a r e s p o n s i ve
s ti l l
time
s a t i s f y th e h u m a n n e e d
G i l m a n' s
gr e w o u t o f
d e s e rt i o n
of
d e l i b e ra t e w i t h h o l d i n g o f
lo v e d ,
hav e
b u t e m b i tt e r e d ,
a
she
to
two
t e a ch
and
fo r love
and
to
ch i l d h o o d t r a u ­
f athe r
a f fe c t i o n of
an d t h e
an equa l l y b e ­
m o t he r .
c hi l d r e n o f M a r y W e st c o t t
w ho m
a
b e l o ve d
Bo r n C h ar l o t te P e r k i n s o n J u ly 3 ,
four
mother
t h i rd
of
a n d F r e d e r i ck P e rk i n s ,
of
1 86 o,
the
o n l y s h e a nd h e r bro t he r T o m l i v e d p a s t i n f an c y ,
w as
the
F r ed e ri c k ,
P e rkins ;
Sto we ,
g re at - gr an d d au gh t e r
her
fa th e r ,
the
son
L ym an
of
Bee cher.
M a ry
Be eoher
C h a r l o t t e ' s g r e a t - a u n t s i nc l ud e d H a r r i et B e ec h e r
a u t h o r o f .l!D.Ql�_1'Q J!l.,!..§_Q.2..bi.n ,
ab o l i t i o n o f s l a v e r y ,
h ig h e r
was
of
e d u c at i o n
w h o w o rk e d f o r t h e
C at h e r i ne B e e c he r ,
fo r w o m e n ,
w h o w a s a l ea de r i n t he
w ho c r u s ad e d fo r
a n d I s a b el l a B e e c h e r Ho o k e r ,
w o m an ' s
s uf f ra g e
m o ve m en t .
A l­
t h o u g h t h e B e e c h e r s a r e r e n o w n e d fo r t h e i r a t t e n t i o n t o
p ub l i c s e rv i c e i n t he i r va r i o u s c a us e s i n t e n d e d t o b e t t er
m an ki n d ,
F r ed e r i c k d e s e rt e d h i s f a m i l y w h e n t h e c h i l d r e n
w e r e s ma l l ,
s he
c o ul d .
l e a vi n g t he i r m o t h e r t o c a r e f o r t h e m a s b e s t
On e
po s si b l e
reason
13
m ay
ha v e
been
M a r y 's
fe r t i l i t y.
G i l m an s p e c u l a t e s t h at b e c au se t h e
th a t a n o t h e r p r eg n an c y c o u l d e n d a n g e r
t o l d h e r fa t he r
M a ry ' s
life,
<.L.1.Y.1.ng
5).
he
Hi l l ,
l ef t
rathe r
h ow e v e r ,
w a s m u ch m o r e co m p l e x :
d e bt ,
to
i l l ne s s ,
seek
a id
comfort
t han
risk
that
p o s s i b il i t y
sp ec u l a t e s t h at t h e s i t u a t i on
" F a c i n g t h e s t a rk r e a l i t i e s o f
an d d e at h ,
and
doct o r
M ar y
with
an d F r e d e r i c k
w e re
fo r c e d
t h e i r f am i l i e s a n d t o a d o p t
a n i t i n e r an t st y l e o f l i f e wh ic h i n so m e r e s pe c t s o n ly
e n ha n c e d t h e i r t ro u b le s "
c o n t i nue s ,
site
(�f� 22 -2 3 ) .
i n l ea vi n g M a r y ,
F u rt h e r m o r e ,
H il l
F re d e r i c k p e r fo r m e d a " re q u i ­
s e l f- a ff i r m i n g a c t " :
H a v i n g m a r r i e d u n w i s el y ,
e v e n i m p e t u o us l y , h e r e ­
fus e d t o d o p e n a n c e w i t h h i s l i fe .
glorifi ed
fam ily ,
po o rl y
the
b ut
to
pe a c e fu l
t he
his
A b s t ra c t l y ,
har m o ni e s
t en s i o n - f i l l e d
ro m a n t i c i z e d
of
hom e
s e t t in g
id eals.
he
and
c o mp a r e d
And
t ho u g h
M a ry ' s i n n o c e nt n a i v e t e a n d c h a rm ha d b e e n a p p e a l i n g
in
the
m a r r i a ge
l o y al t y
context
of
prem arit al
h e r i m m a t u r it y ,
m a y hav e b e e n
d e p en d e nc e ,
of f e n s i v e .
D u r i n g t h e e n sui n g y e a r s F r e d e r i c k
14
an d
in
s u b m i s s iv e
( 24 )
s e l d om s a w hi s f a m i lY
a n d g a v e t h e m l i t t l e fi n a n c i a l s up p o r t .
r a p h y C ha r l o t t e o b s e r v e s :
f l i rta t ion s ,
I n h e r au t o b io g ­
But
he
was
a
st ra nge r ,
di s t a n t
and
little
i n t h e s e ns e o f l o v e ,
T he wo rd F a the r ,
g o to i n t ro u b l e ,
c a re ,
m e a n s n o t hin g t o m e ,
known.
o ne to
s a ve i n d e e d
i n a d v i c e ab o u t b o o k s a n d t h e c a r e o f t h e m - - w h i c h
s e e m s m o r e t h e l i b r a r i a n t h a n th e fa t h e r .
it y
I
owe
s er v i c e ,
him
muc h;
t he
Bee che r
t he B e ec h e r w i t a nd
s m a l l s e ns e o f a rt as I
c o u l d n o t b e qu e a t h ,
gi f t
hav e ;
urge
B y her e d ­
to
o f w o rd s a n d
a n d fa r m o re t h a n f i n a n c i a l c a r e
g ro w n u p i n h i s s o c i e ty .
b e en
to
(5-6)
F r e d e r i ck e s c a p e d i n t o t h e w o r l d o f w o rk ,
w he re h e w as a
such
b u t h i s l e a rn i ng he
I h a v e m i s s e d t h e e d u c a t i o n i t w o u l d h av e
h ave
so c ial
re s p e c t e d l i b r a r i a n w ho ,
m an ' s w o r l d ,
in cid e nta l l y ,
i n t r o d u c e d t h e d e c i m a l s y s t e m o f c a t a l og u i n g b o o k s a n d
l a t e r w r o t e a r e f e r e n c e b o o k , .l'.h!l _ l;}�.§..t:_.B� SJ...Q..!_pg , a s t a n d ard f o r m any ye a r s .
J ef f r e y Be r ma n c i t e s F re d e r i ck ' s
e r r a n t b e h a v i o r t o w a rd h i s f a m i l y a s o n l y o n e n e ga t i v e
f a c to r i n C h a r l o t t e ' s d e v e l o p m en t ,
Th e
theme
never
rage ,
of
a
r e tu r n ,
child
an d
f e e l i ng s
t o w a rd
w ai ti ng
the
c h a rac t e ri z e s
h o w e ve r :
fo r
a t t en d a n t
Ch a rl o t t e
a
m a n w ho
be w i l d e r m ent
P erkins
15
and
Gil m a n's
h e r f at h e r i n p a r t i c u l a r a n d
g e n e ra l .
w i ll
men in
E qu al l y
o m i no u s
m o t h e r w ho
at t ent i on
ba n d ' s
is
the
i mp a ct
of
an
e m b i t t e re d
de n i e s h e r ch i l d t h e p a r e n t al
s he
Mo t he r be c o m e s bo t h v i c t i m a n d
v i c t i m i z e r.
D e sp i t e
d e s cr i b e d
a
as
ent i re l i fe
b e en d en i e d b y her b us -
h e r s e l f ha d
de sertion.
l ov e a n d
the
fact
t h at
" ba b y - wo r s h i p e r "
t o t h e c h i l d re n ,
the
wh o
mo ther
d ev o t e d
is
he r
s h e a l so in f l i c t e d u p o n
t h e m t h e p a in a n d l o v el e s s n e s s f r om w h i c h she h e r se l f
s u f fe r e d .
C h a r lo t t e ' s
ch i l d r e n
wi th
(34-35 )
mo t h e r M a ry
great
r ea r ed
di f fi c u l t y ,
her
m o vi n g ,
t wo
s urvi v i n g
as
C ha r lo t t e
h e r se l f d es c ri b es ,
ni n e t e e n ti m e s i n e ig h te en years ,
f r o m o n e c i t y t o a n o t he r .
m u si c a l
ed uca t i on ,
fou r t e e n o f the m
Aft e r a l on g an d t h o r o ugh
s he
d e v e l o pi n g u n u s u a l t a l e n t ,
s o l d her piano w hen I w a s tw o , to p ay t h e butc he r 's
b i 11 , a n d n ev e r o w n e d a n o t h e r .
d e bt s accumulate d about he r ,
She
e v e r l a st i n g m ov e s.
b an d ' s
p a r en t s ,
aunts,
in
wi t h
va r i o us
her
h o us e s
16
Sh e h a t ed debt , a n d
d r i vi n g h e r to t h e s e
l ived
own
here
with her
p a rents ,
and
t h e re
bu s-
w i th
when
h is
he
[ F r e d e r i c k]
e
o un t
s o i n s t a l le d h e r ,
o f d ebt .
Wa t c h i n g h e r
8-9 )
(Li.Y..1.DE
mo ther ' s
f l e e i n g a ga in on a c ­
s t ru g gl e
to
f o r he r l i t t l e
care
f a m i l y an d h e r f o r c e d n e g l e c t o f h e r m u s i c a l t a l e n t h a d a
La ter , she w ould ,
p rofound effect on C harlotte.
s t a n d ab l y ,
under­
e q u a t e m a r r i a g e w i t h b ab i e s a n d b ab i e s w i t h
w o m a n ' s i m p r is o n m e nt .
In a m i s gu i d ed ef fo rt t o s p a r e h er d a u g h t e r t h e p a i n
s he
ha d
M a ry
s uf fe re d a s a
w i t h h el d
result
of
f rom
a ff e c t i o n
he r
the
h u s b a nd ' s
baby
Char lo t t e
m y c h e e k w h en yo u w e r e a nu rs i n g b a b y ,
w a n t yo u t o
at
as
n ig h t ,
h ad
suffered"
sh e w o u l d
b e s l e ep i n g s o s h e
(�i. .Y.1.ng
come
•
(1i..Y..!.DB
•
I d id
10).
in
and
cuddle
s he
and
f at h e r ' s
d es e r t i o n
co u l d e n j o y h er m o t h e r' s
Her
1 0-1 1 ).
w i t h ho l d i n g o f a f f e c t i on ,
he r
I
.
s o C h a r l o t t e b e g a n t ry i n g t o s t a y a w ak e w h i l e
pr e t e n d i n g t o
c a resse s
s uf fe r
[ fo r]
s o o n l e a r n e d t h a t a f t e r h e r m o t h e r t h o ug h t
was asl e ep
kis s her,
that
" I u s e d to p u t a w a y y o u r l i t t l e h a nd f r o m
he r da u g h t e r ,
C har l o t t e
so
S he l a ter t o l d
s he w o u l d n o t be c o m e a c c u s to m e d t o i t .
not
d e s e r t i on ,
m o ther' s
h o w e v e r we l l
l ef t
C h a r lo t t e
a n d u n r e s o l ve d n e e d s th a t w o u l d
li fe .
17
del iberate
m e an t i t w a s ,
wi t h
an d
i nse cu ri t i es
h au n t h e r t h r ou gh o u t h e r
To
b e g an
fi l l
t h e emot i o n a l vo i d i n h e r l i f e ,
to i nvent
wo rl d
a f an t a s y
a n d P r i n c e s s o f m a gi c po w e r s ,
peo p l ed
w i t h "a
an d t ak in g t h e m
P ar a d i s e
in
(11-.Y..!..DE 2 3 ) .
dis c erns
t hat
me nt
d re a m e r
well
b e co m es
an guish ed
as
he r
wo r l d
a
t o a ha l t
when
p a r e nt ,
her
u p o n h e r " to g iv e i t up.
t o a l l t he
i magi n at i on
f a n t as i e s
Her
and
would
be
ec h o e d
later
of
the
an
fa n t a s i z i n g
what s h e
mi g h t b e c o m e , "
fear
he r c o m m an d t ha t
fu l f i l l -
" i n f l u e nc e d b y
This wa s a com m and.
m other's
Berm an
w hi ch
a l a r me d at
e t h i cs I k n e w I m u s t o be y ,
(1iYi.!H5 2 3 ) .
in
The
m ot h e r ,
s u p p o s e t h i s i n n er l i f e
gua rded
t r an s m u t i n g
(35 ) .
w i t h a p r e - F r e u di a n m i n d ,
w a s l e d to
"wish
f a n ta sy
pa r a d i s e "
a
to
J e f fr e y
evi nc e s
re s cu e
i de a l i z ed
child hood int o
s u dd e n l y c a m e
a f r i e nd
t h i s f a nt a s y
as
•
S o uth S e as"
Pri nce
who we nt ab out t h e wo r l d
c o l l e c t i n g u n h a pp y c h i l d r e n
the
Charlotte
a nd I
the
in Jo h n ' s
Ac c o rd i n g
"
did
p o we rs
C h ar l o t t e
called
of
th e
c on t r o l
her
ad m o n i t i o n s
to
h is w i f e i n "T h e Ye l l o w W a l l p a p e r" t h a t s he s h ou l d us e
h e r w i l l p o we r t o c o n t r o l h e r " i m a gi n a t i v e p o w e r a n d h a b i t
o f s t o r y - m a k i n g" w h i c h w ou l d n o d o ub t " l e a d t o a l l
of
exc ited
fa n c ie s "
D e p r i v e d o f he r
m a n ne r
( G il m a n "TYW " 1 5 - 1 6 ) .
fa n t a s y w o r l d ,
the
a d o l e s c e nt C h a r ­
l o t t e s e t a b o u t t o i m p r o v e h e r bo d y a n d m i n d .
18
App are ntl y
dr i v e n
f r om
within
to
be
t he
be st
she
c o ul d
b e c am e qu i t e a n at h l e t e a n d r e a d vo r a c i o u sl y ,
a n d s y s t e m at i c a l l y
B o o k s fr o m
t he
from
bo ok s
fo llowi nt
be,
she
fai t h fu l l y ,
p r es cr ib e d b y h e r fa th e r .
sa m p l e l i s ti n g
w h i c h C ha r -
lo t t e h ad s av e d o v e r t h e y e a r s , p o s si b l y b ec au s e it w a s
i n h e r f at h e r ' s h and w r i ti n g ,
d i s c u s se d
p eo p 1 e ,
by
the
r e ad i n g
w e r e a l so w i d e ly rea d and
p u bl i c
and
influenced
such as K a te Chop i n and E d it h W h ar ton ,
m any
w h o w o u1 d
later b e c o m e w ri t e r s the mse lve s :
Ra w 1 i ns on ' s
F i ve
G re a t E mp i r e s
II
II
S i x th G r e a t E mp i r e
II
"
S e v en t h
11
"
Dawki n s ,
Cave Hu n t in g
F e r g us s o n ,
R ud e S t o n e M o n um e n t s
Lu b b o ck ,
Prehi s to r i c T im e s and O rigi n s of
Civ i li zation
Ty lo r
Ea r l y H i s t o r Y o f M a n k i n d '
II
P r i m i t i v e C u l tu r e
[ s i c]
C ha r l o t t e
was
pa rti c u l a r ly
( 1.1.Y .!.n_g 3 6 )
fascin ate d
w o rk s w h i c h d i s c u s s e d ev o l u t i o n ,
by
s c i e n t i fi c
a t h e or y t h a t i nf lu e n c e d
h e r i n h e r s e ar c h f o r " a b a s i c t h e o r y o f l i f e " ( 3 8) .
t he
ad u l t C ha r l o t t e w r i ti n g
w hi l e she
w a s st il l
As
h e r a u t o b i o g r a p hy r e m e m b e r s ,
a young gi rl,
19
s he d e c i d e d t h a t
t he r e
is
o n e " d o m i n an t u n de r l y i n g p o w e r
.
.
.
•
O ne
G o d an d i t
O n t h e qu e st i o n o f e v i l a n d d e a t h
W o rk s ! " (L.!Y.!ng 3 9 ) .
s h e o bs e rv e d , "T h at i s r i g h t f o r a g iv e n o r g a n i s m w h i c h
le a d s to i t s b e s t deve l o p me nt " a n d t ha t d e ath w as u l t i­
m a t e l y a n e c e s sa ry a n d l o gi c a l
p h e n o m e n on :
I t i s t o l d t h a t Bu d dh a ,
g o i n g o u t t o l o o k o n l i fe ,
wa s
d e a t h.
g re a t l y
d a un t e d
a n o t h e r ! " h e cr i e d ,
c e s s I e xa m i ne d ,
by
"T hey
all
a n d c a l l e d i t ev i l .
c hange d t he ver b ,
[ an d ]
e at
T h is
said ,
a l l f e e d o ne a n o t he r , " a n d ca l l e d i t g o o d .
W h y t h i s f u s s a b ou t d e a t h ?
Use
t i m e,
and
Death
is
no t h i n g
e s s e n t ia l
t he
e v il . " (1.iY.1.D.S
As t o pa i n ,
un l e s s
(�.!Xi.D� 4 1 ) .
come
Th e fi r st
s tatic
co n d i t i o n
w orld
of
l i fe ,
•
no t
an
40 )
goes
a b ou t
w rong"
b e c au s e
A l th ough s h e w a s
c ha r a c t e r i z e
e p i g r a ph
Dea t h ?
m i l es d e ep by this
and
of
that
young,
h e r t h r ou g h out
t o t h i s c h ap t e r s t a t e s ,
20
s he
m a nk i n d ' s
" e rrone ous
b e gu n t o a t t e m p t t o t h i n k a n a l y t i c a l l y ,
w ou l d
"They
C h a r l o t t e d e d u c ed t ha t i t " do e s n o t c o m e i n
so me thing
suf f er i n g s
a
el s e ;
p r o­
y ou r i m a g i n a t i o n,
t r y t o v i s u a l i z e a w o r l d .H.!J! DQ Y.t d e a t h !
f o r m o f li f e woul d b e he re yet ,
one
she
ha d
act ion"
a l re ad y
a qua l i t y t h a t
her l i f et i me .
A s t he
" f i gur e d i t ou t
t h at
t h e b u s i n e s s o f m a nk i n d wa s t o c a r r y o u t t h e e v o l u t i o n o f
t h e h u m a n ra c e ,
and
this
d ut y ,
ins igh t
fo r
he r
a
d i r ec t ive :
a n d arou nd eve ryt h in g ,
our
s p e c i a l w o rk
in
th e wo r l d ,
( 42 ) ,
"Life ,
w as R ea l ,
God
c le ar t o m e .
l i f t i ng ,
c o nsc ious o f that li m i t l e s s powe r ,
p la c es ,
it,
bec ame
th es e we r e
pu r p os e ,
u nd e r and i n ,
W e,
a c c o rd i n g t o t h e l a w s o f n a t u r e "
l i f t i n g.
we r e t o f i n d o u r
a n d w h e n fo u n d ,
do
d o i t a t a l l c o s t s " (1.!.Y.i.DE 4 3 ) .
To
p rep a r e
hers el f
" w o r l d ' s w o r k , " C h a r lo t t e
cal ly,
m ental ly,
possible .
She
rel e nt l e s s
t ho u gh t
no t
s t r u g gl e
wr o ng ,
an d
No
be
p e rfe ct :
at
any
wom e n ,
young
a s phys i­
p er f ec t
g ir l
in
as
he r
"S el f - r igh te o u s ?
I d i d n o t d o a n y t h i ng I
cost,
s ayi ng that all
this
s t r i v in g fo r
what
I
thought
m y d e c i s i o n s w e re
pe r f e c t i o n
C ha r l o t t e ' s d r i v e t o b e i n c o n t ro l o f
t ha t
to be
the
60).
(1i.Yil.lE
doubt
t y p i c al
did ,
c al l e d
an d m or a l ly
the
to
she
what
d e t e rm i n e d
For e i ght y e a r s
ri g h t - - w h i c h i s n o t
cor reo t "
was
do
s o ci a l l y ,
was
Trem endouslY s o .
to
h er
own
mo t h e r ,
for
her
was
l i fe .
i n stan ce,
caused
by
S he k n e w
were
not
u s u a l l y i n c ha r ge o f t h e i r l iv e s , a n d s he s e e m s t o h av e
b e en
de t e r m i n ed
H e r m o t he r' s
that h e r mot her's
l i fe taught C ha rl o t te
21
fa t e w o u ld n o t b e h e r s .
a b ou t
" t he
fa l s e s e c u -
r i t y a n d s p ur i o u s d e c e i t
w i f e - - m o t h e r m y t h s " ( H i l l �f�
r a m b u n c t io us C h a r l o t t e c h a r g e d o u t t o m e e t l i fe
T he
1 3).
of
w i t h a s tr on g a gi l e b o d y a n d ke e n m i n d.
De t e r mined to
m ak e h e r o w n w a y i n t h e wor· l d , t o b e d e p e n d e n t o n n o o n e ,
she
s t u di e d
ma d e
on
a r t a t t h e R ho de I s l a n d S c h o o l o f D e s i gn
h e r li v i n g fo r a
gr e e t i n g
f e e l i ng s
wr i t e s
car d s
ab o u t
that
w h i l e s e l li n g he r
and
g i v i ng
he rs e l f o n
s h e " wa s
her
a rt
and
f l o we r p a i n t i n gs
l e s so ns.
t w e n t y - f i r st
Of
her
b i rt hd a y
s he
s e l f- s u p p or t i n g o f c o u r s e ,
a
n ec e s ­
s a r y b a s e f o r f r e e d o m " a n d t h a t " t h e r e w a s a t r e m en d o u s
sen s e o f p o we r,
w hatev e r
p la n n ed
•
•
•
d ec i de d
I
to
c l e a n g l o r io u s p o w e r ,
to
u n d e rt ak e "
e c o no m i c s ,
k n ow l e d g e ap p l ic a b l e
to
p u r p o s e " ( ,LJ,yj_p._g 7 1 ) .
r e p o r t s th a t
p o lit ic s ,
h u m an
S he
7 0 -7 1 ) .
" s c ienc e s
t he re w a s n o fi e l d o f
ne ed
w hic h w a s
o u t si d e m y
H e r he a l t h w a s e x c e l l en t an d s h e
sh e w a s u s u al l y c h e e rf u l :
W hen aske d ,
r ep l y ,
(LJ..Yin&
t o l e a r n l a n gu a g e s ,
s tu d y a b r o a d ,
h i s to ry,
o f ab i l ity t o do
"a s
"How
wel l
do you do ?" it
as
st rong a s a hors e ,
a
f ish,
as
was
my
c u s to m
to
b u sy
as
a
as
a s pr ou d a s a peacock ,
bee,
a s happy
a s a c l a m . " (1i.Y1-.P.8 7 1 )
The n
a rt i s t ,
and
sh e
met
W alt e r
S t et s o n ,
a
prom isin g
f o u n d h e r s e l f a b s o l ut e ly n o r m a l
22
yo u ng
i n he r s e xu al
at t ra c t i o n t o t h e h a n d s o m e y o u n g ma n :
T h e r e w a s t h e p l e a s ur e o f a s s o c i a t i on w i t h a n o b le
sou l ,
w i th one who
re a l t h i n g s ,
of
re a d a n d st u d ie d
an d c ared
fo r
s h a r i n g h i g h th ou g h t a n d p u r p o s e ,
of
s y m p at h y i n m a ny c o m m o n d e p r i v a t i o n s a n d en d u r a n c e s .
There
was
the
natu ral
fo rc e
of
sex-a t t rac t io n
b e t w e e n t w o l o n e l y y o u n g p e o p l e , t h e i n f l u en c e o f
p r o p i n q u i ty
( Li..Y!..ng 8 3 )
•
W h e n h e p r o po s e d m ar r i a g e t o he r , s h e d e c l i n e d b u t gav e
h i m p e r m i s si o n t o c a l l o n h e r f o r a y e a r .
At t i m e s she
w an t e d t o m a r r y h i m ; a t o t he r s s h e d i d n o t .
A l t h ou g h s h e
realized
that
was
t ha t
m ar r i ag e w a s n o rm a l ,
the path
she
he r l i fe s h o u l d t a k e .
could n o t fe el
I n st e a d ,
s he
f e l t a c a l l t o p e r fo r m s o m e s o r t of w o rk , e v e n a m i s si o n ,
i n t he wo r l d ,
b ab i e s
a n d s h e k n e w t h at m a r r ia g e m e a n t b ab i e s a n d
w o ul d
entail
m e an i n g f u l l i f e
responsibili ties
forb id di ng
a
o ut s i d e t h e h o m e .
C h a r l o t t e 's
e qu i v o c a l
a t t i t u de
t o w a rd
m a r ry i n g W a l ­
t e r i n d i c a t e s t h e d i v i s i o n w i t h i n h e r s e l f a s s h e st r u g ­
gl e d
wit h the
fear
t h at
c h e ri s h e d
de s i r e
love
might
so muc h.
i n t o h e r p s yc he
to l o v e
ta k e
and
a way
to
t he
be l o v e d a n d th e
i n d e p en d e n c e
she
H e r i n s e c u r e c h i l d h o o d h ad i n c u l ca t e d
a d es i r e
to be
23
in d e p en d en t
an d s e l f-
re l i an t ,
but
not even a p e rson with t he
n o t ev e ry o n e ,
i n t e l l i g e n c e a nd w i l l o f a B e e c h e r ,
r ec o v e r s s o e a s i l y
f r o m a c h i 1d h o o d d e p r i v e d o f 1o v e .
W a1 t e r ' s d i a r y p r o ­
v id e s i n t e re s t in g i n s i g h t s i n t o C h a r l o t t e 's
c h a r a c t e r - - t h at i s ,
W a lt e r' s
pa ra d o x i c a l
i t p r o vi d e s i n t e r e s t i n g i n s i g h t s i n t o
int er p r et at i o n
of
h er
ch a r a c t e r ,
as
w el l
as
i n si g ht s i n t o h i s c o n c e p t o f l o ve .
Ac co rd i ng
w o m an
both
to Walt e r ,
w h o s e p hy s ic a l
male
i nd ic a t e s
t h at
" c ha r i s m a . "
feat u r es a n d
femal e
a nd
s he
po s se s s ed
ab o ut
t he
a t t ra c t i o n o n h i m a n d
p as s ionate
r e s u l t ed
her
f ri end s;
W al t er's
in f o r m a t i on
d i a ry
f e ar s t h a t
the
h er
as
later
e nt r i e s
w el l
attract ive
p u bl ic
p ro v i d e
e f fe c t s
the
as
li fe
o f t h os e
of
f i r s t - ha n d
her
sexual
de p t h o f h e r
t he
c o n f l i c t b et w e e n h e r
fu l fi l l m e n t
an
to d a y o n e l abe l s a s
in d i c a t e
als o
was
p e r s o n a l i t y a t t ra c t e d
w h at
po w e rful
r e s p o nse s ,
f ro m
Ch a r l o t t e
turmo il
se x u a l
need s
own
that
need s and
w ou l d e n t r a p
h e r i n a w o m a n ' s w o r ld .
His
e n t r y da t ed
J an u ar y
1 4,
1 8 8 2,
d es cr i b es
his
f ir s t i m p ress i o n s o f h e r :
S h e i s a n o r ig i n a l :
al ,
e c c e n t ri c b e c au se
u n c o nv e n t i on ­
a n d w e l l v e r s e d i n a l m o s t e v e ry t h i n g ,
24
I gu e ss !
S he
has
a
r e s em b l i n g
v i va c i o u s ,
She has
form
a
l ik e
a
yo u n g
S he
c a meo.
Gr eek
is
an
fac e
a
&
also
a t h l e t e -- s t r o n g,
wit h p l e n t y of b o u n d i n g b lo o d .
s u c h a c l a s si c f ig u r e !
S he i s
mo r a l ,
i n t el -
( H i l l I:..n..QJJ.r� 2 5 )
l e ct u a l a n d b e a u t i f u l !
C h a r l o t t e a nd W al t e r rea l i z e d
L a t e r th a t sa m e m o n t h ,
t h e y w e r e m o r e t h an f o n d o f e a c h o t h e r , b u t C h a r l o t t e d i d
n o t w a n t t o m a r ry b e c a u s e of t h e w o r k s h e w an t e d t o d o ,
h e r p u r p os e i n l i fe ,
s a t i o n be t w e e n t h e m
S t e t s on r e co r d s a c on v e r ­
he r t e l o s .
in
w hi c h s h e
a t t e m p t s t o e x p l a in h e r
S aid I :
"W h y d o y o u n o t w i s h t o
p o s i t i on t o h i m :
[ Ja n uary 29 , 1 8 82 ]
b e lo v e d b y me - - to l o ve m e ?"
"I t h i nk
t h a t yo u kn ow n o t h in g w o uld
j o y t ha n to k no w t h a t y o u l o v e m e .
my
p l an s :
you
know
of
t he
w o rk
gi v e m e m o r e
B ut - - y o u k n o w o f
I
h ave
set
a b o u t d o i n g. "
[She
c o n t i n ue s ]
I
"·
s h o u l d b e c o n su m m at e d :
k n ow
that
a
lo v e
b eg u n
a n d c o n s u m m a t i o n w ou l d m e an
r e 1 i n q u i s h m e n t o f a 11 m y p 1 a n s - - a n d i t w o ul d f e e d
t h e s i d e o f m y n a t u r e w h i c h I a m h o l d i n g i n c he c k .
25
I
p r e t t y eve nl y b alan ced ,
am
a n i m al
s pi r i tu a l .
&
W e r e I to g i v e u p - - ! f e a r I s h o u l d g i v e a l l u p a n d
b ec o m e o f
we re
no
m o r e u s e t h a n o t h e r w o m e n.
I f my l if e
m ad e fo r ha p p i ne s s t h a t w o u l d b e we l l e n o ug h ."
( 33 )
T h e se s en t i m e n t s e x p r e s s h e r c o n t e m p t f o r t h e t r a d i t i on a l
ro l e o f w o m a n a s w i f e a n d mo t h e r , a ro l e w h i c h s h e fe a r e d
wo uld
co ns u m e
M a rch ,
her
St e t so n
if
she
at t e m p t e d
recogni zed
fu l l y
to
t he
as sume
it.
s tr u g gl e
By
w i th i n
C h arlo t t e :
[ M a rc h 2 0 , 1 8 8 2 ]
I t i s a h a r d f i gh t sh e
i s f i gh t i n g .
I t w i l l b e ha rd f o r h e r t o g iv e u p t o m e
& it
b e al m o s t a s h a r d t o k e e p f r o m i t .
T h e Ap r i l
l o t t e 's
12
e n t ry
d i v i d ed
d e sc r i be s
w hat
c h a ra c t e r.
Wal t er
Ac t ua l l y ,
wi l l
(59)
c o ns i d e r s C ha r ­
ap pears
she
to
b e ha v e as a ty p i c a l i n t e l l i g e n t e d u c a t e d w o m a n w h o c a n
s p e ak k n o w l e d g ea b l y a b o u t a s e r i o u s s ub j e c t o n e m i n u t e
an d c a n b e i n t h e m o o d
l i m i t ed
ex p er i enc e
for
with
p lay t h e
women,
he
p r e v i o u s l Y e n c o un t e r e d o n e s o g i f t e d
C h ar l o t t e ,
p hi l o l og y ,
way
of
after
sh e
has
been
t h e g e r m t h eo r y ,
t a l k i n g a s c h i l d i sh l y
26
nex t .
I n Walter's
o b v io u s l y
h ad
n ot
a s C ha r l o t t e :
t a lk i n g ,
s a y a b ou t
E gy p t ia n h i s t o r y ,
( no t w e ak l y)
as
has a
can b e
i m agined ,
in
a
c har m in gly
s t a r t l i n g c o n t ra s t .
h e r n a t ur e.
pl ayful
of
She is
in d e p e nd e n t ,
Gy m n as i u m ,
the
yet
g en t l e a s a weak l y w o m a n
On
M ay
1 882 ,
13,
W alt er
C ha r l o t t e h a s c h an g e d
is
a
A n d c o n t ra s t s s e e m t o ru l e i n
but
sh e l ike s to
S h e i s at t h e
n e st l e b y m y s i d e an d d e p e n d o n m e .
he a d
It
way.
.
•
she
•
•
e xul t s
can
be
as
b ec au s e
he
soft
&
( 66)
he r i d ea s "i n a l l
th ink s
t he i mpo r t a n t
p a r t i c u l a r s " a n d t h a t "n o w s h e f e e l s t h a t s h e ID .Y§.t h a v e
c h i1d r e n
&
f anc ie s
•
t h r o u g h m e" ( 7 3 ) .
he r
best
w o rk
w i 11
be
d o ne
O n M a y 29, t h o ugh , h e r e p o r t s t h a t a t
t he ir
m e e t i n g o n t h e p re vi o u s
us. "
Ch a r l o t t e h a d
to ld h i m
d ay ,
on
"a s ha d o w
that
day
wa s u p on
that
she w a s
u n h a p p y b e c a u s e s h e " c o u l d n 2 t.. b e c o m e u s e d t o t h e s e n s e
of
being
etc.,
( 76 ) .
' ap p ro p r i a t ed . '
ha d
arisen
St i l l ,
She
has
th i n g
in
and
All
rebe l l e d
he r o l d
a g ai n s t
hop e s ,
my
l o n gi n g s ,
lov e .
"
t h a t s am e e n t r y h e w r i t e s co n f i d e n t l y :
c hanged
( h o n es t l y
her
too )
l an gu a ge
r e ga rd i n g
a d o zen tim es .
t he
wh o l e
S h e h a s l o t s of
fi g h t s i n s t o r e a n d w i l l s uf f e r a g r e a t d e a l .
T hat
s uf f e r in g w i l l t e ach he r t h a t the b e s t of al l t h a t
s he
pu re ly , d e v o t e d ly an d
c a n d o i s t o l o ve
c h il d r en
to
b e t r a i n ed t o s o m et h i n g n o b l e .
27
bear
That may
b e a premature
sayi ng,
b ut I t h i n k n o t
•
.
.
( 76 )
•
T h e s e e n t r i e s w r i t t e n by o n e w h o i s s o c e r t a i n h e k n o w s
w h at is
b e s t fo r C h a r l o t t e a t t e s t
c ha l at t i t ud e t o w a r d
ty.
W a lt e r
sounds
wo m a n a n d
l ik e
to t h e g e n e r a l p a t r i a r­
her
id eal
place
a We i r M it ch e l l
with
b e st o f all t hat s h e c a n d o i s to lov e p u re ly,
a nd
bea r
T h i s i d ea l
c h i l dr e n
is
to
be
ad m ittedly
t ra in e d
to
w o rt h wh i l e
in
his "the
d ev o t e d l y
som ething
and
w ou l d
no b l e ."
make
w o m e n - - a n d m e n- - c o n t e nt ; f o r C h a r l o t t e , h o w ev e r ,
bring
socie­
so m e
it would
t r aged y.
T h e A u gu s t 31 e n t r y i s one a m o n g m a n y t h a t a t t e s t s
t o C h a r l o t te ' s p hy s i ca l
re s p o ns iv e ne s s to
T he n s h e c a m e a n d k i s s ed m e :
Ho w d o
ha d no lo v e r s l e a r n to k i s s w i t h
t ru s t f u l ,
se n s o- s u p e r s e n s uo u s
S he bas
t endernes s ?
Is
it
not
the
l ov e w i t h i n ?
By O cto b e r
an d
m e l t in g
in a short
ti m e.
the yearning
M y s e n s i t ive l i p s c a n t e l l t h e t en o r
rev ea l e d m o re o f h e r
(?)
t h at d e li c i o u s,
ex pre ssi o n of
o f a k i s s m o st p o s i t i v e l y,
logi c a l
w o m e n w ho h a v e
pr e s s ur e
l earned it
t r u t h fu l
W a lter :
[ si c ]
r ea l
a n d a l l a l o n g h e r s h av e
he art
t o m e t h an
al l
e x p r e s s i o n s o f h e r f e el i n g.
W a l t e r a g ai n f e e l s
v i c to r io u s a n d
C ha r l o t t e , "th a t st r o n g w o m an, " has
28
no w b e come
exul t s
he r
(96)
t h at
a s d o u gh t o
th e k n e a d e r o r c l a y t o
fa s h i o ne d a s h e r lo ve r w i l l s .
t hat
sh e
sh o ul d
be
wo m a n h o o d ,
n obl e
p asseth
al l
into
with
u nd e rs t a n d i n g .
to
be
T h an k G o d t h a t I w i l l
fa s h i o n e d
and
the potter,
t he
the
ut m o st
t en d e rne ss
.
[O c to b er
of
t h at
9, 1 882]
( 1 07 )
This
pa s s age
exp res ses
d o ug h
("s h e i s a s
s o w e l l t h e a t t i tu d e
t h e k n e ad e r o r c l a y t o t h e
to
w h i c h G i l m a n f o u gh t so h a r d t o e r a d i c a t e .
h i s d ia ry ,
t o w a rd
Wal t er ' s
idea of
love
me ant
line
"T h a nk
s h ou l d
an d
("to be
be
w i th
God
t hat
C ha rlo t t e
w h a t sh e
f as h i o ne d a s he r l o v e r w i l l s " ) .
that
fa s h i o ne d
the
po t t e r" )
Ju d gi n g f r o m
w o u l d a l l o w hi m to m ol d h e r i n t o hi s i m a g e of
s h ou l d b e
w o m en
l
in t o
t e n de r n e s s
Hill,
t he
that
[ italic s
u t m o st
of
p a s s et h
m i ne ]
nob l e
all
that
T he
she
w omanhood,
u n d e r s t a n d i n g"
so u n d s B i b l i c a l , a s t hou g h W a l t e r e q u a t e s h i ms e l f w i t h
Chri s t
who
gi ve s
a
p e ac e
t hat
"p a s s e t h
al l
und e r s t a n d i n g , " an d i n d i c a t e s t ha t W al t e r t h o u g h t t h a t i f
he
chose,
h e co uld
e v e n f ashion
he rs e l f o n he r s u p e r i o r st a m i n a ,
courage
th is
w o m a n w h o p r i de d
fo rt i t ud e ,
a n d m o ra l
i n t o s o m e t h i ng l e s s t h a n n o b l e ; i t a l s o s t a n d s
a s an e x c e l l en t e x a m p l e
p a t r i a r c h a l sy s t e m .
o f t he l o g i c b eh i n d t he en t i r e
T h e M a r c h 1 2 , 1 8 8 3 , e n t r y p r ov i d e s
29
ano t h e r
e xa m p le
o f W a l t e r' s
d i s c e rn m e n t
t h at
Char lotte's
p a s s i o n w a s o v e r c o m i n g h e r d e s i r e f o r i n d e p e n d e n c e an d
h is
subsequent gladnes s that
S he i s n o t t h e
a
year
al so
ago.
come
s h e w a s be c o m i n g p l i a b l e :
s t ro n g l y i n d e p en d e n t c re a t u r e s h e w a s
With the
a
softening o f
so f t e n in g o f
p hy s i c al
her
h ea r t
fibre :
ha s
a 1 ess
in t e n si t y o f p h y s i c a l e n e rg y a n d m o r e o f t h e f l a m e
o f d es i re
s weeter,
•
•
•
No
.
more
human be ing c oul d
w i l l in g to
be
be m o ve d a s I
t end e r er ,
She
will.
nest l es in m e , wants m e ; want s to b e i n my ar m s , l i e
there,
sl eep
there.
She
is
b e g i n n in g t o d e p e n d ,
a n d I d o u bt n o t tha t w he n m a r r ia g e c o m e s s he
l o ok
to
h o us e .
l o v i n g.
me
fo r
Al l
h er
Last
ver y h um b l e.
be e n
t hinki ng
d e l ig ht ,
be en
and
ad v i c e ,
and
st r en g t h
n i gh t
sh e
mak e
seem s
was
S h e h a s f o un d ,
too
m uch
of
not
n o t e n o u g h o f m i ne ;
h a 1 f " g o o d"
e n o u gh
to
m e rule r o f th e
to
m e.
be
qui t e
s he s ay s ,
her
o wn
to
and
t hat s h e ha s
pl easure
and
that she has not
And
s h e b e ga n i n
S he ' s a s t r ange be i n g
i n a l l - - b ut G o d !
Ho w b ea u t i f u l !
30
t u r ne d
wel l ,
s t r an g e fa s h i o n .
( 1 40 )
will
t a k en , a l l
And how b el oved !
P a s sa g e s suc h a s t h i s o n e a re e s p e c i a l l y p o i gn an t i n v i e w
o f Cha r l o t t e ' s
i m p o v e ri s h e d
c h i l d ho o d
w i t h i t s d e a r th o f
s i m p l e c u d d l i n g.
T h e e m o t i on a l l y s t a r v e d c h i l d i n h e r
can
e no u g h t o
never
ch i l d h o o d ,
be
fe d
m ak e
and i t s t rugg l e s
up
for
love
l ost
in
w i t h t h e a d u l t i n h e r fo r
s u p r e m ac y .
Ch a r l o t t e
a c co r d in g t o
t o ge t h e r
a n d W a lt e r w e r e m a r r i e d i n M a y ,
C ha r l o t t e ' s a u t o b i o g r a p h y ,
w e re
m o re
t en d e r ,
as k , "
but
in
h a p p y o n e s.
a
h u s b an d
spi t e
Sh e
say s
o f h e r o b v io u s
a wa y .
tha t
c h e e r fu l n e s s ,
t he
strong ,
hap pin e s s ,
S he
an d
A l t h o ug h
indic ate
da rk e n e d "
W al t e r ' s
his
r e s p o n s iv e
to
him ,
suggest
fav o r o ne
would expe c t :
[ June
1 4,
m o r n i n g.
en t r i e s
that
C ha r lo t t e ' s
m a r r i ag e
tha t
1 884]
B e c a us e I
her
sp i r i t
"T he
sp i ri t
m in d ,
not
s a nk
a c loud
(L.1-.Y.i.D.8 8 8 ) .
diary
p l ea s ur e
"A l ov e r
c o nt i nu e s ,
t i reless
and
d ay s
c oul d
wo man
A s o r t o f g r ay f o g d r i f t e d a c ro s s m y
gr e w
fi r s t
Walt er,
of
mo r e d e v o t e d ,
b e g an t o f a i l s h o rt l y t h e re a f t er .
steady
t he i r
1 8 8 4,
her
b e f o re
C h a r lo t t e
d iary
p hy s i c al l y
ent r i e s
a f t e r t he i r
was
s ad :
last
fin d
31
m y s el f
m a r r i ag e
is
ardo r
Am
hi s
not
m et
ni gh t
w ith
and
the
t hi s
t o o -- a f f e c t i o n at e l y
exp re ss i v e.
I
m u st
a s ke d-- n o t bo r ne
[ Jun e
25 ,
a f fe c t i o n .
more
m y s el f
to
and
be
with.
Ge t
1 8 84 ]
c o n v ic t i on o f
ke e p
mi s e ra b le
b e i ng
too
( H il l .QJ'11
ove r
my old
w o e --
o u t w a r d l y e x p r e s s iv e
of
1 23 )
A s H i l l o b s e r v e s , t h e s e a r e r e m ar ka b l e a d m i s s i o n s f o r a
ni n e t e e n t h - c e n t u r y b r i d e
to
V i c to r ian v ie w s
m ak e .
on
th e
s in fu l n e s s o f s e x n o d o u b t p l a c e d s t r ic t u r e s o n b o t h o f
the m
ex e r c i s e
to
re s t r a i n t s
t hat
m ay
have
been
p a rt i al l y
C h a r l ot te ' s d e p r e s s i o n s .
p e r ha p s
Wa lt er
p erpl exing
•
f o r b id di n g "
L at er ,
fo u nd
gi v e n
th e
is
w i t ho ut
ri g h t
to a
b e -a l l
a s s e rt
as
Hi l l
sp ec u l at e s
for
t h at
p a s si o n " d i s t a s t e fu l
to him
of
un s ett l i ng
th at
that
one
c en t u ry
o f t he
"a
lo v e
of
th i s
or
and
( xi ).
"m ost
of
r e l at i on sh i p
w hat
they
F ro m t h i s e x p e r i e nc e
1 24 ) .
th a t
fu l fi l l in g
e n d -a l l
ent er
u n d e rs t a n di n g
( H i l l �1'�
c o nv i c t i o n
and
and ,
fru s­
o u r v i ew s o n t h i s m a t t e r [ of m ar r i ag e ]
c le ar
u nd e r t a k i n g "
a
to
c a u se d
re s p on s i b le
L an e
m o re s
l et t i ng y o un g g i r l s
a
com e
of
r es po ns e
s exual
C ha r lo t t e w a s
pi t i f u l e r r o r s
Ann J .
C ha rl o t t e ' s
he r
.
h a ve
r e l at i o n s h i p ,
t r a t i o n s a n d s t r a i n s o n t he
s ug g e s t s ,
must
wo m a n has
th e
re l a t i o n s h i p ,
her
32
life,
b ut
w ou l d
ne ed f o r
n o t love
as
a re
a
and
a s t he
v it al
a nd
C ha r l o t te
i t " ( H i 11
part o f
c r it i c a 11 y i m po r t an t
be c a me
p r e g n an t
1 24 )
r i gh t
aw ay ,
d a u g h t e r K at ha r i ne w a s bo r n o n M ar c h 2 3 ,
t h o u g h t C h a r l ot te ' s
but
instead
whic h
p l u n g e d i nt o a n e x t re m e o f
no
one
o b s e rv e d
or
t i a t e h e r l a t e r m e m o r i e s.
S e p t em b e r 1 4 :
sive
pain
in
se e m e d
least ,
t hat
sees
to
have
worse.
She
but I was
n e rv o u s e x ha u s t i on
in
the
l e a s t"
"a
no
O n ly
(..Q.f..Q
o u t le t . "
fe e l
a n o pp r e s ­
Se p te m b er
well
25 :
about hal f
an
129)
a w o m a n c o ul d
want ;
at
ev e ry t h i n g w o m e n w e r e s u p p o se d t o w a n t o r
i n un d a t e d a s i t w e r e i n d o m e s t ic
c h a r m i n g h o m e ; a l ov i n g a n d d e vo t e d h u s ­
a n ex qu i s i t e b aby ,
h e a lt h y ,
i n t e l l i g en t a n d go o d ;
h i g h l y c o m p e t en t mo t h e r to run t h i ng s ;
t o ry s e r v a n t " (..Ll.Yi.PE 8 9 ) .
B ut
a
C ha r l o t t e
und e r s t an d
w h y.
S pe c ul at i ng
33
that
a
w h o l l y s a t i sf a c ­
was
no t
s h e " l a y a l l d a y on t h e l o u n g e a n d c r i e d" ( 8 9 ) .
d i d n ot
ha d
re c o rd s :
e v e ry t h i n g
ne e d t o m ak e t h e m ha p p y ,
b an d ;
g re w
"C ry m o r e a f t e r b r e a k f a st .
a l l da y."
sh e had
fel i c i ty :
T he y
a ft e r t h e b i rt h ,
u n d e rs t o o d
Hil l
"D r e a r y d a y s t h e s e .
hour
1 885 .
their
H e r d i ar Y e n t r ie s f o r t h e p e r io d s u b st a n ­
( ..L!.Y!D.B: 8 9 ) .
She
s he
and
"A l l w a s no r m al an d o r d i n a r y e n o u gh ,
r e m emb ers :
already
h ea l t h w o u l d i mp rov e
r e c o ve r i n g ,
of
•
ha p p y ;
An d s h e
C h a rl o t t e
suf-
fered
f ro m
' ins a n it y '
"s e ve r e
as we11,
' hy st e ri a , '
H i1 1
n
and
p erhap s
G i1 m an 's
f ro m
quo t e s
t e m p o ra r y
au t o b io g ­
ra p h y :
I
c oul d
not
re ad
n o r wr i t e
t a l k n o r li s t e n t o t a l k in g ,
t hat lo unge and we p t
no r pa in t
a l l da y .
in
t he
p ain.
morning
Not
the
f o un d n o t h i n g t h e m a t t e r.
d e p re s s i o n w o r se n e d
T he
t h e e d g e o f t h e b ed
cr i ed- - fro m
p hy s i c a l ,
t e a r s r a n do wn
I w e n t t o b e d cr y i ng ,
s a t on
cry ing,
and
The
s hee r
do c t o r s
<��Q
c o n t i nu o u s
e x a m in e d
1 29 ;
we nt
Channings ,
to
She
to
improv ed
r e t u rn i n g
h e rse l f
I
t ur n ,
so
visit
the ir
C ha r l o t te
fr i en ds,
tr ai n to
quic kly,
"F r o m t he
m o ve ,
in
I
mom ent the wheels
felt
fact ,
better"
t h at
she
it :
"Hop e
ca m e
bac k,
lov e
aga i n "
s om ewhat mo re
(9 4 ) .
Her
b i o gr ap h e r ,
q ual i f i e d a c c o u n t
34
h ow e v e r ,
a s s he
came b ack,
w a s e a g e r t o g e t h o me t o h u s ba n d a n d c h i l d ,
b r i g ht
(92).
r ep o rt s
ho m e i n M a r c h b e l i e vi n g s h e w a s cu r e d ,
e xp r e s s e d
t he
an d s h e r e p o r t s i n h e r a u to ­
m i ra c u l o u s l y ,
t he
an d
u n t i l h e r d o c t o r o r d e re d h e r
to
fo r t h e w i n t e r ,
b i o gr a p h y t h a t
b e g an
C a l i fo r n i a
me
1i� i n s 9 1 )
t o w e a n K a t h a r i n e a n d t o g o a w a y fo r a r e s t .
t h en
nor
I lay on
no r a n y t h i n g .
i n t o my e a r s on ei t he r s i de .
w o k e i n t h e n ig ht
n o r s ew
l i fe w a s
p r e se n t s
a
a s s he p r es ent s e xc e rp t s
fro m
C h a r lo t t e ' s
to
he r
E a r l y in h e r v i s i t s h e w r i t e s ,
"In
l etters
fr ie n d M a r t h a Lu t h e r .
w ritt en
fr o m
C a l i fo r n ia
d es p a i r o f ever gett ing w e l l at h o m e I sudd e n l y und e rtook
t h i s j ou r n e y .
I t h a s al r e a d y d o n e m e a n i m m e n s e a m o u n t
o f g o o d , a n d I e x p e c t t o r e t u r n i n t he s p r i n g a s w e l l as
I ev e r sh a l l b e .
..Q.l' .Q
T hen,
1 33).
w r it e s to M ar t h a ,
start
Shall
f o r w a rd
for
Pe r h a p s t h a t is n o t s ay i n g m u c h " ( H i l l
at
the
en d
of
wi nt e r
" M y C a l i fo r n i a w i n t e r i s
ho me
in
a
wee k
b o t h j o y a n d d r e ad .
w i th
the
or
she
a b o u t do n e.
m o re .
t wo
a g ain
I
l oo k
Jo y t o se e m y d a r l i n gs
aga i n ,
an d d r e a d o f fu r t h e r i l l ne s s u n d e r f a m i l y c a r e s .
Wel l.
I h a v e c h o s e n " ( H i l l ..Qf.Q 1 3 4 ) .
W h atev e r
b ri g h t n e s s
a s sh e r e t ur n e d h o m e ,
w a s t he r e s o o n d i m m e d .
" t h e da r k fo g r o s e a g a i n "
95 ) , w o r s e t ha n b e fo re t h i s t i m e ,
w i th
tic
the
As
and
(11Y1.ng
Char lo t t e w a s fac e d
s ob e r i n g a n d d e p r e s si n g r e a l i z a ti o n t h a t
f e l i c i t y w a s m a k i ng h e r s i c k .
soon
do m e s ­
Hi l l p o i n t s out t he
d i ff e re n c e i n Cha r l o t t e ' s " d u l l n e s s a t
hom e
and
h e r re l a ­
t i v e s pu n k w h e n s h e h a d a c h a n c e t o g e t a w ay " :
T h e e n e r g i z i n g p r og ra m s a t t h e g y m ,
b at es
r a t i ve
at
t h e l iv el y d e ­
h e r w o m e n ' s " p ar l o r m e et i n g s , " t h e c o l l ab o ­
s c ur ry a t t h e l o c al
s uf f r a ge
h e ad qu a r t e r s ,
t h e p o l i t i c a l b u z z a n d s t i r a t t h e H£m��§_J9M£D��
35
office
in
B o s to n
( wh ich
o c ca si o na l l y
she
v i s i t ed ) - ­
a l l t h e s e s e e m e d t o b o o s t h e r s pi r i t s , p r o m o t e h e r
s e l f- r e s p e c t ,
an d
p r ov i d e h e r w i t h
s h e l i k e d to do .
A l l t he s e ,
the
kin d of w o r k
p re su m a b l y ,
C ha r l o t t e
m i g h t h a v e ma n a g ed t o c o n t i nu e a n d e x t e n d , b u t t o o
o f t e n s h e s t a y ed h o m e an d c r i e d i n s t e a d .
S h e fi n a l l y c o n s u l t e d D r .
n e r ve
or
ne u ras th e n ia ,
an d
Ac c o r d i n g
on
w h o d e c id e d s he
s p e c i a l i st ,
wo m en
so me
a
com mon
men
rest
u n d e rs tanding of
s uf f e r ed
the
th e
1 44)
p ro m i n e n t
f r o m hy s t e ria
n e rvo u s a il m e n t
du r i ng
to E l l e n B a s suk ' s
Mitchell ' s
W e i r M i t c h el l ,
s.
(�f�
af f l ic t i ng
ni n e t e e n t h
c entu ry.
t h o r o u g h ly r e s e a rc h e d a r t i c l e
c ur e ,
n i n e t e e n t h - c ent u ry
d o c to rs '
n e r v o u s d i s o r d e r s w a s m u ch d i f f e r e n t
fr o m t h a t o f t o d ay :
T he y
b e l i ev e d
c h on d r ia
th at
by s t e r i a ,
i mp e r c e p t ib ly
an d h y p o ­
n e ur a s t h e n i a
m e rged
i nto
each
o t he r ,
had
s i m i l a r e xc i t i n g c a u s es an d r e s u l t e d f ro m s t ru c t u r a l
l e s i o n s i n t h e b r a i n co r t e x .
t i fy
the
o r gan i c
d e fe c t w a s a s c r ib e d
c a t e d d e t e c t i o n t e c hn i q u e s ,
p ro b l e m
o nl y o c cu r r ed
c h o d y n a m i c c o n ce p t s
i n t ro d u c ed .
T h e i n a b i l i t y t o i d en ­
at
of
( 1 3 9n 1 )
36
or
the
t o t he
to
unso phis ti­
fact
t h at
mo l e c ul a r le v e l .
e t i o l o gy
had
not
y et
t he
P sy ­
been
M i t c h el l ' s
fo o d ,
cu r e
i n vo l v e d
bo dy m assage s ,
k in d.
c o m p le t e b ed r e s t ,
a n d no
fa t t e n in g
v is i to r s o r e x ci t e m e n t o f an y
C h a r l o t t e w r i t e s t h at M i t c h e l l a ls o d i d n o t b e -
l i e v e s h e w a s p hy s ic al l y i l l :
there
wa s
no th i n g
"A s f a r
t h e m a t t e r w i th
me"
a s h e c oul d s ee
( 1i.Y.i..Q£i 9 6 ) .
Th i s
o b s e rv a t i o n c o i n c id e s w i t h t h e n ar ra t or ' s w o r d s i n " T h e
ab o u t
\va l l p a p e r "
Y el l ow
her illness:
"Yo u s e e
( Gi l m a n " T Y W " 1 0 ) .
r e g i m en ,
ph y s i c i a n
ad dit i on
a t t em p t e d
t e a c h h i s p a t i e n t s t o c o n t ro l
d e te r m i n e d t h a t
to
her
[ his
" Mi t c he l l ' s
to his
" ' mo ra l
I
is
v ie w
ph y s i c al
re e d u c at i on ' "
was
' to
of
am si ck !"
strict
t h ei r f e e l i n g s.
ob je c t i v e
p a t i e n t ] h o w sh e
do m in i o n o ve r he r e mo t i o n s '
t hought,
h u s b an d ' s
he d o e s n o t b e l i e v e
In
Mi t c he l l
her
to
Ba ssuk h a s
make clear
to r e g a i n a n d p r e s e rv e
( M i t c hell
1 888 : 8 ).
w e r e t o o e m o t i o n a l l y e x p r e s si v e ,
W o m en,
he
p e rh a p s e v e n
' h y s t e r i ca l , ' c e rt a i n l y p ro n e t o i n a p p r o p r ia t e d i s p l a y s
of
fe el in g
1 43).
which
w e ak e n e d
ph y s i ca l e n d u r a nc e "
Hi t c h e l l a l s o b e l i e v e d t h a t
( B a s s uk
i f w o m e n e x p re ss ed
t he i r e mo ti on s t o o of t e n o r t o o exc e s s i ve l y , t h ey m i g h t
p re d i s p os e
they
m u .s t
fu r t he r
t h ems el v e s
e xe r ci s e
t hat
to
stric t
M i t c he l l
p a t i en t s p r o m i s e s
ne r vo u s
d i so r d e r s .
s e1 f- co nt ro1
att emp t e d
to
•
Therefo re,
B a s s uk
elicit
no t e s
fro m
hi s
t h a t t h e y w o u l d f i g h t " ' e ve ry d e s i r e t o
37
cr y ,
or
t wi tc h
B a s su k
( 1 43 ) .
or
grow
e xc i ted '
"T o
c o n t in u e s :
co m in g s , ' M i t ch e l l
a d v o c a t ed
( M i t c he l l
c o un t e ra c t
a system
t h e res t c u re"
M o st
that
a
gan s ;
was
w o man ' s
to
r ea soning
do ctor s,
e n c o ur a g ed
pr i n c i p l e s u n d e r l y i n g
r e p r o du ct i ve
li ke
o r g a ns
i t fol l o w e d t h at
bear
that
' s h o rt -
(143).
Victorian
t hu s ,
w o m en ' s
He fe lt t h at wo men
o rd e r , c o n t r o l , a n d s e l f - r e s t r a i n t .
sh ou l d m o d e l t h e ir l i v e s o n the
1 885a: 38 )"
c h i l d re n
( or
M it c hel l ,
w e re
w o m an ' s
p e r h aps
s h o u l d b e r ev e r s ed ) .
he r
b el ieved
pri m ary o r­
p r i m a r y fu n c t i o n
the
or d e r
S in c e d o c t o r s
o f
th e
al s o b e-
l i e v e d t h a t " e a c h o r g a n i s m p o s s e s s e d a fi n i t e a m o un t o f
vi t a l
e n e r gy
and
was
d iv e rt e d
w om en ' s
s uc h
ed uc a ti on
as
avo i d e d "
a nd
( B a s su k
a
e n e r gy
or
clo sed
f ro m
w o rk
t he
sy s t em ,
re pro d u c t i v e
o ut si d e
the
hom e,
1974 ).
T h is
mu st
be
1 900
in f o r m a t i o n f a c i l i t a t e s
a m o re s y m p at h e t i c un d e r s t an d i n g o f
J o hn ' s a t t i t u d e s
a n d a c t i o n s i n "T he Y el l o w W a l l p a p e r " a nd
g u a r d s hi s w i f e a g a i n s t a l l
that
f u n c t i on ,
1 4 5 - - a p pa r e n t l y p a ra p h r a si n g F o s t e r
S m i t h - R o s e nb e rg
e v e ry
any t h ing
e x p la in s w h y h e
e xc i t e me nt a n d p r e s c ri b e s her
ac t ion :
He
is
st i r
ve ry
c a r e fu l
an d
wi t h o u t s p e c ia l
l ov i n g a n d
d i re c t i o n .
38
h ardl y
lets m e
ha v e
I
sched ule
a
p re s c r i p t i o n f o r
d ay .,
( Gi l m an 11T Y W " 1 2 )
[Jo h n ]
say s
he
wo u l d
as
c a re
month,
M i t chel l
as
.
dome stic
a
l i fe
as
p o s si b l e .
her,
to
d o -w·n a n
from
s a y n o th i n g o f
l i f e a d ay .
o r p e nc i l as
l o ng as
relates
that
s he
She
"it
seemed
h u s b a nd
and
no
Walter
p la in t hat
go o d ,
and
( 9 6 ) . On O ct o b e r 8,
m ar r i ag e ,
C a l i fo r n i a .
f in a l l y
if I
be
co m p an i o n s h i p
the effect
on me. )
to
br u sh
( 1.!.Y .i.D.H; 9 6 )
th i s
a dv i c e
l o si ng m y
d e c id ed
w ent
Li e
Hav e b u t t wo h o urs '
An d n e v e r t o u c h p e n ,
fo l l o w e d
your
m e s h ak i n g a n d
h e a l t hy
you l i ve.
c ame peri lously c l o s e
96).
a
h ou r af te r e a c h m e a l .
i n t el l e c t u al
Gi l m a n
"an d
far
H av e
( B e i t r e m a r ke d t hat
b u t d r e s s t h e b a b y i t 1 e ft
c ry i n g- - c e r t a i n l y
fo r
s t i m u l at i n g p e o p l e
•
p r e s c r ip t i on :
c h i l d w i th y o u a l l t h e ti m e .
if I d i d
in my
r el e a s ed C h a r l o t t e fr o m h is
w it h t h i s c on d e s c e n d i n g
L i ve
•
th e
( 1 6)
now.
Aft e r o ne
in
s o on p u t f ir e wo rks
p i ll o w c a s e a s t o l e t m e h a ve
ab o u t
e ac h h o u r
to
c r a zy
for
m ind"
m o n t hs
(L.!xing
s ep a r at e b e c a u s e
it
a dead 1 y in j ury
w ou l d
to
do
my
m y c h i 1 d"
1 8 8 8 , a ft e r m o re t h a n f o u r yea r s o f
Charlotte
A l t h ou g h
l e ft
W a lt e r a n d t ook
K a th ar i n e t o
s h e i m m e d i at e l y b e ga n t o i m p ro ve ,
39
she
repo rts
t ha t s h e
ne v e r f u l l y r e c o v e r e d
her
m en t a l
p o w e r s b ut s u f fe r e d f ro m m e n t a l e xh au s t i o n t h r ou gh o u t h e r
l i fe a nd
wa s
a l w ay s
fo r ce d
to
pace herse lf
in her
w o r k.
G il m a n n e v e r c o u l d u n d e r st a n d e x a c t l y w hy s h e b e c a m e
ill .
S he
fe lt
c ondit ions
and
of
t h at
ca us e
but
[ t.o ]
wa s
s o m eho w
h e r c h i l d ho o d a n d
c on stant
yo u t h , "
it
e ffo rt
she
in
c on n e c t ed
with "the
r ig i d
c h a r a c t e r -b u i l d i n g
a t t r ib u t ed
m i s m a rr i a g e "
the
" i m med i a t e
(ki.YJ:.ng 9 8 ) .
wit h
and
t he
stoic ism
of
[ he r ]
c o n t i n ui n g
I t i s i m po rta nt
t h a t t h e l a s t e nt r y o f h e r j o ur n a l w r i t t e n j u s t b ef o r e
s h e a g re e d t o u n d e r g o W e i r M i t c h e l l ' s r e s t c u r e i n P h i l a ­
d e l p h i a e x pr e s s e s b i t t e rn e s s t o wa rd W a l t e r :
N o o n e c a n ev e r k n o w w h a t I h a v e s u f f e re d i n t he s e
last
Y ou
five
yea r s
f o un d
do u b t
.
•
m e - - yo u
y o ur
•
.
C a n 1.Q.Y!!
r e m em b e r
j u d gm e n t
only
b e fo r e
o ur
r e s p o ns i b i l i t y
B e ar
it
th e n .
S i g n i fiea n t l y ,
it y o u r s e l f !
ma r r i age
ent i re l y o n
l ike
it
t hi s ?
learn
w h a t.
b e fo r e
a no t h e r l i f e a s i t h a s m i ne .
hu r t
se ek s
to
to
mo uld
I a s ke d
yo u a f e w d a ys
yo u
wo u l d
t ak e
the
Y ou
s ai d
yes.
if
y ou rs e l f .
( H i l l .Q.f.O 1 4 8 )
a vo i c e wi t h i n h e r k e p t sa y i ng , " Y o u d i d
Yo u d i d i t y o u r s e l f !
Yo u h a d h e a l t h a n d
s t r en g t h a n d h o p e and g l o r i o u s w o r k b e f o r e y o u - - a n d y o u
40
th r ew
and
it al l
away.
yo u c an n o t
good as
a
s er v e
m ot he r ,
y ou r s e l f ! "
c a ll e d t o s e r v e h u m a n i t y ,
Y ou we re
No g o o d
yo u r s e l f .
as
n o go o d a t a n y t h i n g ,
Be r m a n
< Li.YJ: n,g 9 1 ) .
w i fe ,
a
no
An d yo u d i d i t
c om m e n ts
u po n
t he
irony
o f t h e p a ra l l e l s b et w e e n h e r s e l f as a c h i l d a nd h e r o w n
c h i 1 d an d b e t w e e n h e r s e 1 f a s a n a d u 1 t a n d h e r o w n f a t h e r :
T h e f ea r o f c o m m i t ti ng a
w ou l d s e e m
t o be
•
•
in j u ry t o h e r c hild
d e ad l y
a n u n c o ns c i ou s
.
r e p et i t i o n o f
t h e t ra u m a ti c w o u n d i n f l i c t e d u p o n C h a r l o t t e P e rk in s
G i l m an
w h en
little
she
was
a
child
he r se l f.
The
g i r l ' s i d e n t i fi c a t i o n w i t h t h e a b s e n t fa t h e r ,
al o n g w i t h t he a s p i ra t i o n f o r t h e gl o r i o u s w o rk t h a t
was a
male
pr i v i l e g e
in
a
s e xi s t
so c i e ty ,
i n t e ns e a s t o c o m p e l h e r a g a i n st h e r w i l l
h e r o w n f at h er a n d ,
b ab y.
t he
t he
•
fa t h e r
w ho
ab andoned
S he f e l l
w i t h c o n f u s i o n a nd
as her
years earl ier ,
him ,
gu i l t .
fat h e r
ha d
her
she
w as
so
to beco me
t o ab an d o n s p o u s e
s i l e nt a gg re s s i o n
a g ai n s t he r s e l f .
fam i l y ,
like
was
fe l t
now
and
t o w a rd
d i rec t e d
d e sp e r at e l y i l l ,
overcome
On l y b y r e j e c t i n g h er o w n
re j e c t ed
hi s
fami l y 2 0
c o ul d s h e fr e e h e r s el f f r o m t h e w e a k ­
n e s s a n d p a s s i v i t y t h a t s ym b o l i z e d t o h e r t h e c o n d it i on
of
m o th e rh o o d .
( 39 )
41
I n 1 8 9 0 , s h e w r o t e "T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r , " a n d w h i l e i t
is not
au t ob i o g r a p h i c a l
i n e v e ry d e t a i l ,
as a f i ct i o n ­
a l i z e d a c c o u n t of h e r bre a k d o w n it m u s t h a v e p ro v i d e d h e r
wi t h so m e m e a s u re o f t he rap e u t i c re l ie f .
abo u t
the
conditi ons of
w h ic h e x c l ud e d
g l o r i o us
e ffect s on w o m e n.
cr it i q u i n g
unde r
th e se
w hich
w i f e ho o d
work
Gil m an
two
wom en
an d
in
in
all
w o r l d- - a nd
t he ir
th e r e s t o f h er l ife
i n s t i tu t i o ns
lived
m o t h e rh o o d - - b o t h o f
the
sp ent
Th i s st ory i s
an d
her
the
c o nd it i o n s
w ri t i ngs ,
w h et her
s h e w a s w r i t i n g ab o u t r e l i g i o n , t h e h o m e , e c o n o m i c s , o r
A l w ay s h e r g o a l w a s t o r e v o l u t i on i z e w i f e h o o d ,
w h at ever .
m ot h e r ho o d ,
In
wo m a nhoo d .
Ca l i fo rn i a ,
an d
d au g ht er ,
Gi l m an
her se l f
by
suppo rted
her
r unnin g
b oa rd ing
a
mother,
her
h o use .
Aft e r s h e a n d W a lt e r w e r e f i n al l y d i v o rc e d ,
h e married
C h ar l o t t e ' s b e s t
Ch ar l o t t e ' s
fr i e n d ,
G ra c e C h a nn i ng ,
b l e s s i n g s.
Th e t h re e w e r e
K a th ari ne ' s
upb ringing.
to
l iv e
s e v e re l y
w it h
c r it i c i z e d
fo r n o a p p a r e nt
mo the r. "
her
S he
wit h
l i f e l o n g f ri e n d s a n d s h a r e d i n
W h e n K a t h a r i ne
fat her ,
the
C h ar lo t t e
p res s
fo r
at
nine
that
was
had
d iv o r c i n g
her
s e nt
al re ady
h us b an d
re a s o n no w c o n de m n e d h e r a s a n " un na tu r al
s ays
tha t
she
42
s ent
K a t h a r i ne
to
W al t e r
b e c a us e
father
she " di d no t
as
re p o r t s
Charlotte
me an h e r
he r sel f
to
had
K at ha r i n e " d i v i d e d
t h at
s uf fe r " t h e l a c k o f a
Charlotte
s uf f e r e d .
h er t i m e
fa irly
e qu a l l y "
b e t w e e n t h e tw o of t h e m a n d " i n c o m p a n i o n s h i p w i t h h e r
b e l o v e d f a the r s h e g r ew u p t o b e t h e a rt is t t h at s h e i s,
w ith
163 )
adv a n t ag e s
I
could
nev e r
have
gi ve n
h er"
(LJyj�g
•
A l th o ugh
C h ar l o t t e
p ra i s e s
l e n gt h i n he r a u t o b i o g r a p h y ,
s ki l l s
was
viewed
K athari ne
K a t h ar in e
so m e w hat
her
W hen M ary H i l l
S t e t so n
w a s n in e t y y e a r s o l d ,
in te re s t i n g o b s e r v at i o n s
skil ls
at
h e r d au gh t e r ' s vi e w o f t h o se
di f f e r en t .
B e e c he r
m o t h e ri n g
from
in t e r ­
C hamb er l i n i n
1 9 75 ,
a n d h e r m e mo r y p r ov i de s
an el d e r l y
p e r s on ' s
r e c al l
o f a y o u th f u l p oi n t o f v ie w - - m u c h a s G o e t h e ' s b i o gr a p h e r s
c ons ide red
tion
an d
hi s
a u t o b i o g ra p y ,
tru th ,
as ,
in de ed ,
fi c ­
�!�b1YDg_y n �- K�h rb � !t ,
Go e t h e ' s
tit1 e
indi ca te s
H i 1 1 re po rt s t h at K a t ha r i ne ' s r e fl e c t i o n s o n h e r
•
re l a t i on ­
s h i p w i t h he r m o t h e r " s ugges t a re p e t it i o n o f t h e m e s o f
m o t h e r - d au g h t e r
Bo t h
mothers
h i s to r y
" h ad
C h a r l o tt e
be en
e xh a u s t e d
em o t i on a l r e s p o n si b i l i t i e s , "
c iz e d
their m o thers
d e sc r i b e d
by
w it h
M ar y . "
ec onom ic
an d
an d b ot h d au g ht e r s " c r i t i ­
fo r b ei n g
c h u r l i s h a n d m e a n. " A l ­
t h o ug h b o t h d a u g h t e r s w e r e a l l o w e d f r e e d o m t o " d e v e l o p
43
c o n f i d en c e
an d
i nd e p e n d e n c e , "
b ot h
c o mp l a i n e d o f
" u n n ec e s s a r i l y a n d i n e x c u s a b l y a l o n e . "
ev e r ,
un l i k e C ha r l o t t e ,
d e s ol a t i on"
doe s
not
be ing
K a t h a r in e ,
ho w­
re m e m b e r t h e "l o n e ly
e x p e r i e nc e d :
t h a t C ha r lot te
i r re s p o n s i b l e
and
s e l f i s hl y d i s t r ac t e d " A m a zo n , " s h e s a w n o n e ed
fo r
Vi e w i ng
her
s ym p at h y
she
m o t he r
a
so m e w h a t
n e v e r m o u r n fu 1 p i t y ,
W it h s e1f-a ss e r t i o n ,
•
e xp re s se d
m ot he r ' s
as
i rrit a t i on
" br i l l iant "
an d
re s en t m e nt
i n d i s c re t i o n s :
with
"Yo u
a ny t h i n g i f you h ave ho l e s i n yo ur h e ad ! "
a lso
a c kno w l e dge d ,
( H il l .C.f.!l
r e s p ec t .
happy
remembered
Ch a r l o t t e
h ad
n e gl e c t e d
in
the
h am mo c k
t i o n. ' "
She
a lso
pot e n t ially
p la yi ng :
house"
a
her
childhood
fr e que n t l y
r e c o u nt ed
dangerous
" fro li c s
she
pro fo und
in
to
ep i sode s
he r
b ut
i n di c a t e d
whi l e
en j o yi n g ne r v o us
•
•
" ke r o s e n e f i r e s in
and
re l u c t ant l y ,
But
do
2 3 2 -2 3 3 )
K at ha r i ne
a r o un d
a l b ei t
c an
her
Hi l l
in
her
som e
" ' lying
p r o s t ra of
the
un sup e rvi s ed
t h e b a s e m e n t an d t h e h e n ­
f a vo ri t e
p l a y g r o u n d- - t h e
S h e avo w s t h a t C h ar l o t t e a l s o n e gl e c t e d
f r e i gh t y a r d . "
he r i n o t he r w a y s :
Lo ok
at
pointed
the
to
" ba g gy
he r
ey e s , "
she
e x cl a i m ed ,
e a r ly p h o to graph s .
Look how
as
sh e
" un d e r -
si z e d "
b e c a u se
gi ng e r
nuts
o f sl e e pi n g i r r egul a r l y a n d e a t i n g
a nd
"nothi ng
e l s e
" O s t e n s i b l y" s he w a s l i v in g w i th
for
l unch."
h e r mo t h e r ,
but
in
r e a l i t y s h e w a s " t u r n e d l o o s e " on t h e ne i g h b o r h o o d
si nc e
C h a rl o t t e
r un. "
"Ma ma
t i r ed
or
d i s t ra c t ed " t o
c al le d
still
a s so ci a t e d
cross,
qu i ck ,
is
mo r e .
her
or
" a l w ay s
p rov i d e
on the
a l w ay s
r e s tf u l
In
"K at e , "
h a s ty . "
an d
so m e o ne
(Hill
K a th a r i n e
ridicul e.
T o m ak e
" w ith
" t oo
he althy
m a t t e r s w o r se ,
t hat
K at h a r i n e
be i ng
a
little
23 3 )
di s p u t es C h a r l o t t e' s
a s a t e a c he r , for ex amp l e,
by
ill
s c u r ry i ng , "
al ways
t h e w ay s h e l o o k e d .
C ha r lo tt e
T he re
was
eit her
to get t h e t angl e s f r o m h e r ha i r , or to c a re
m ea l s ,
about
too
was
a bi l i t i e s
c it i ng t hat s h e o ft en ta ugh t
s um m a t i o n ,
" to
K a t h ar in e ,
C h arl o t te
s e e m e d a r r o g a n t a n d s e l f i s h l y p r eo c c u p i e d : ' S h e w a s t o o
a b s o r b ed
in
exp r e s si n g
hers e lf,
or
in
( 233-234).
m oth er,
To
she
c a u s es '
balance
d id
e nco u r a g i n g ' a n d
i n d e p en d e nc e . "'
her
b� r �! 1 I ·
fi n d
to
m ak i n g
t ak e
go o d
K a th arine 's
th at
s u p p o r t i ve
and
I
S h e a l s o d e s c r i b ed h e r
of s t ro n g p ri n c i p l e s and hon e s t y ,
45
ca r e e r
care
of
o pi n i o n s
C h a r1 o t t e
' felt
a
was
of
for
h e r"
her
" ' � 1 }I .§.. � .§
h ad a r i g h t t o m y
mot her
as
a w o m an
" w h i c h d o e s n o t m e an
that
sh e
t hink
te l l
sa w
al w ay s
s h e wou l d go
a
lie
•
•
•
he r sel f a s o t h e r s
to t he
And
.
c o ur se
of
her.
B ut I
i f n e ce s s ar y r a t h e r t h an
stake
she
s aw
n ev e r
n e ve r w o u l d
h a v e w i l l i n g l y h u r t a n y o n e , " an d " s h e w a s o f c o u r s e b y
na tu r e
ve ry
g en e ro u s
of
h er
ti me
an d h e r
po s s e s s i o n s "
K a t h a r i ne ' s vi e w s a b o u t h e r m o t h e r i n d i c a t e
( 2 3 6 - 23 7 ) .
t h at C h a r l o t t e m a d e
s om e o f t h e sa m e m i s t ak e s t h a t M a ry
ha d
wh ich
m ad e
wi th
her ,
is
l e a r n e d h e r m o th e r i n g f ro m
not
M a ry .
s ur p r i s i n g
P e r ha p s
it
is
s u r p r i s i n g t h a t C h ar lo tt e d i d n o t r e a l i z e s h e
t h o s e m i s t ak e s .
in
spi t e of
her
go o d
P e op l e
C harl otte ' s
in t e n t ion s ,
ca n g i v e
o nl y
l o f t y i d ea s
s he
di d
s i nc e
also not
was
m ak i ng
w ha t t h ey p o s s e s s ;
ab o u t m o t h e rh o o d
not
she
possess
and
ad e qu a t e
mot he r i n g ski l l s.
T h e g i s t o f K a t h a r i ne ' s a n a l y s i s o f
h e r mo t he r i s
sh e
t h at
sh ou l d s h e b e o t h e r w i s e ?
tr ee
i n cl i n e d .
s e l f - d i s c i p l i ne ,
Mary ,
b ec a m e
wa s b a si c a l l y s el f i sh ,
A s t he twig
t h ro u gh
so
ne c e s s i t y
s e l f - c en t e re d
n o t e x t e n d h e r se l f t o h e r c h i l d r en .
t he i r s u p p o r t ,
Le ft
i s b en t ,
T ru e ,
a nd
t hat
a n d w hY
s o i s t he
r i g o r ou s
she
c o ul d
s h e w o rk e d
fo r
b u t s he d i d no t s ha r e he rs e l f w i t h t h e m .
e mo t i o n a l l y a l o ne
ke e p h e r c o m p a n y ,
w i t h on l y a l if e o f fa n t asy
t h e n b e re f t
d ec ided t o t ry t o b e pe rfect.
46
of t hat a l so ,
to
C h ar l o t t e
H e r e n t i r e b e in g c o n c e n -
t rate d
up o n
h e r se l f .
o f h u m an i t y
p e r s ona l
s e lf .
She
co u l d
ab s t r a c t ,
in t he
re l a t i o n s h i p s
but
b ec a u se
th e p e rf e c t i o n
wo rk f o r
s he
s he
ha d
cou l d
d i f f i cu l t y
not
s h ar e
wit h
h e r­
S h e ha d n o m o d e l t o f o l l o w o r p ra c t i c e i n d o i n g s o
I n a l e t t e r w r i t t e n t o H o u g h t o n G i l m an
a s sh e g r e w u p .
s ev e ral
yea rs
C ha r lo t t e
l at e r ,
a t t e m pt s t o a ss e ss
p e r s o n a l q ua l i t i e s t h a t in te rfe red
he r
with c l o s e fr i e nd­
s h i ps :
me e t i ng them as I d o ,
T o m o s t p e op l e ,
n ice ly ,
m e.
I c a n be h av e
y o u h a v e o b s e rve d t he y m o s t l y
an d a s
I c a n b e n i c e a n d k i n d a n d p a t i e n t , an d st e a d y
a n d c h e e r f u l an d a l l s o r t s o f n i c e t h i n g s .
soon
l ik e
as
an y
one
w o b b l e a w fu l l y
•
co m e s
•
•
feel ;
to
think.
It
an d
sort
me
an d
t ak e s
ho ld,
I
I t ma k es
And I d on ' t l ik e it .
I t m ak e s m e f e el - - w h e r e I d o n ' t
m e un r e a s o n a b l e .
want
.
n ea r
but as
of
t h i n k- - w h e r e
wak e s m e
I
d on ' t
w ant
to
up w h e r e I ' m d e ad ,
or
w h e re , i f I ' m n o t d e a d , I o u g h t t o b e .
Now , I can' t
a f f o r d t o b e fo n d o f a n y b o d y i n t h a t s o r t o f w a y - ­
man w oman or child
thin g s
.
•
I d o ve ry
Th i s
c an ' t
aff o r d t o w a nt
I ' m n 2t a n i c e p e r s o n
t o b e cl os e to.
we l l a t
analys i s
[ si c ] .
l o ng r a ng e .
does
not
47
I
( H i l l .Q.fQ
s ugge s t
that
2 0 6 - 20 7 )
her
wo rk
is
v a l u e1 e s s ,
however.
On
th e
cont rary ,
it
is
of
gr ea t
p e r h a p s o n l y s o m e o n e l i k e G i l m a n c o u l d a cc o m p l i sh
va l u e .
w h a t sh e d i d b ec a u s e s om e on e e l se m i gh t gi ve
r el a t i o n s h i p s
r rio ri t y i n h e r l i f e .
s i n gl e - m i n d e d ,
sh e
pec ts o f a
b e haved
s u cce ss ful
B ecause
s om e w h a t
as
p e rs onal
G i l m an
o u r c ul t ur e
w as
ex­
man.
s h e d i d m an a g e t o fo r m a t
Fo r t u na t el y fo r G i l m a n ,
lea s t o n e c l o s e per sonal
r e l at i o n s h i p ,
m a r r i ag e a p p ea r s t o h ave b e e n h a p p y .
for
he r se cond
I n 1 9 0 0 , s h e m a r­
r i e d H o u g h t o n G i l m a n , o n e o f he r B e e c h e r f i r s t c o u s i n s ,
an d
t h e y r e m ai n ed m ar ri ed
ye a r s
l a te r .
u nt i l h i s
A l t ho u g h s h e i s s t r an ge l y q u i e t a b o u t t he i r
r e l a t i o ns hi p - - s h e
only
m en t i o n s
him
s en t e n c e s i n h e r a u t o b i o g r a p hy - - t h e y
c o r r e s p o n d en ce
e v e r yt h i.n g
w i t h H o u g h t on ,
Ho ug h t on G i l m an w a s w e l l
to h e r car e e r ,
com in g m a r r ia g e ,
lov e ,
an d
a
coup le
l e f t b eh i n d
a
of
l a rge
w r i ti n g l e t te r s
to hi m
a l m o st
A s A n n L a n e n o t e s,
a wa re o f C ha r lo t te ' s d e d i c a t i on
"h e r r e c u r r i n g a n gu i s h a b o u t h e r s a n i t y o r
he r a b i l i t i e s a s a m o t he r ,
t h r o u gh
in
t h a t d e m o n s t r a t e s t h a t C h a r l o t t e d i s cu s se d
da i l y a s sh e t ra ve l e d a n d l e c t u r ed .
z at i o n
d e a t h t h i r t y - fo u r
h e r wo r r ie s a b o u t t he i r fo r t h ­
h e r d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o a c hi e ve s e l f - r e a l i ­
he r
s t rengt h ,
w o rk ,
and
he r
her
lt 8
nee d
fo r
re s ol v e t o
his
stability,
c o n qu e r ,
o r at
t o c o- e x i st w i t h ,
least
d e p re ss i o n s "
in
m a r riage
( xi i i ) .
wh en
h e r d e v a s t a t i n g a n d t e r r i fy i n g
T he i r
C h ar l o t t e
long
c o u r t sh i p
f in a l l y
w a s f o r t y a n d s he
end ed
h ad a l r e a d y
P er ha p s t hes e t w o
e xp e r i e nce d a great d e al o f s u c c e s s .
fa c t o r s a n d t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y w e r e n o t m o t h e r a n d fa t h e r
t o a n y c h i l d r e n c o n t ri b u t e d to t he i r h a pp i ne s s .
T h is
in t r o d u c t i o n
to
C h a r lo t te
P e rk i n s
G i l m an
bo th
a s a w o m a n an d a s a h u m an b e i n g s h ou l d c o n t ri b u t e t o a
b ett er
unde r s t a n d i n g
of
her
W a l l p a p e r , " w h ic h w i l l b e t h e
th i s
s tu d y .
G i l m an ' s
The
b io grap hy
p e r t a in
w it h
to the
no t
been
sto ry,
in
t h e y c a n no t
be
p e r ha p s t he y c annot .
"T h e Y e l l o w
life
Y e 11 o w
d e pr e s s i o n
sto ry.
an d
M u ch
be cause
it
b e t w e en
t he
of
h er
d oes
not
w h i c h i s t h e fo c u s o f t h e s t u d y .
st o r y a n d G i l m an ' s ' l i f e a s
separated,
and in
T h i s s t ud y w i l l ,
as
a s m uc h a s p o s s i b l e .
w or k o f a r t ,
it s
W al l p a p e r"
th e
i nc lud e d
C r i t i c s u s ua l l y d i s c u s s t h e
t h ou gh
"T h e
s ub j e c t o f t h e r e m ai n d e r o f
p o s t pa rt u m
ex p e r i e n c e
ha s
s t o ry ,
re a d e r ca n s ur e l y s e e p a r a l l e l s
e x p e ri e n c e
nar rator's
sh o r t
som e
however ,
a w o rk i n d e p e n de n t
r es p e c t s
di scu ss
of G il m a n ' s
"T he Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r " i s a
a n d l i k e an y w o rk o f a r t ,
own.
49
it
can st and
on
CHAPT E R I I
W H A T K I N D O F L I TE RA T U R E I S TH I S ?
W h e n y o u c a n a s s u m e t h a t y o u r a u d i en c e h o l d s
b e l ie f s y o u d o , y o u c a n r e la x a l i t t l e
t h e s am e
a nd u s e m or e n o r m al m e a n s o f t a l k i n g to it ; w h e n
y ou h a v e
to
make
t o as s u m e t h a t i t d o e s n ot ,
t h e n y o u h av e
y o u r v is i on a p p a r e n t b y s h o c k - - t o t h e hard
o f h e a ri n g y o u s h o ut ,
a n d fo r t h e a l m o s t - b l i nd y o u
d r aw l a r g e a nd s t a r t l i n g f i gu r e s .
- - - F l a nn e ry O ' Conn o r
Gil man' s
a rt i s t r y
" Th e Y e l l o w
W a l lpap er"
u nd e r s t o o d
if
a
her
b e l i ev e d
t he
tial,
that
s p ec i es
w o rk i n g
fo r
me s sa ge
to
can
c ra f t s m a n s h i p
be
m o r e ful l y
r e p r es e n t a t iv e
w o rk s i s s u r v e y e d .
get
and
G il m an used
ac ro s s
to
h u m a n b ei n g s
t ow ar d
deve l o p
a
hi g h e r
a p p r e c i at e d
sampling o f
f i c t i o n as
the
d i s p l a ye d
her
in
and
o t he r
on e v e h i c l e t o
A me r i c an
p eop l e.
S he
m u s t as s i s t G o d i n l i ft ing
ev o l u t i o n a r y
th e p o t ent i a l o f i t s
p l a ne
fe m al e
by
m e m b ers ,
i f w o m e n w e r e n o t a l l o w e d t o d e v e l o p t h e i r po t e n ­
G i l m a n w as
pe r suaded
t ha t t h e i r sh o r t c o m i n g s w o u l d
50
dr a g t h e s p e c i e s d o w n a n d ke e p i t t h e r e .
man
t h a t w o m a n ' s e c o n o m i c d ep e nd e n c e o n
it
n e c es s a r y t h a t
s h e " a t t ra c t
a nd
h o ld
S he
wh i c h
the
b e l i ev e d
had dee med
d e v o t i on " o f
a m a n fo r h e r v e r y s ub s i s t e nc e h a d a l t e r e d t h e o r i g in a l ly
na t u ra l
170 )
b a l a n ce b e t w e e n th e
sexe s
a n d t h a t t h i s al t e r at i o n
( H Q m �D-gng_ ]� QDQ m!�§
hi nd e r e d t h e
upw a rd
evolu­
t i on o f the h um a n ra c e b e c a u s e w o m a n d i d not a t t e m p t to
se l e c t
the
best
sel e cting a
basi s
of
fa the r
h u s b an d ;
her
se xual
he r
talents
he r
inst ead ,
charms.
ch i l d r en
she
was
s he w a s se l ec t e d on
the
As
a
w h en
r e s ul t ,
t he
spec ies
a n d s i n c e wo m an w a s n o t a l l o w e d t o
s u f f e r e d b i o l o gi c a l l y ;
de ve lo p
for
to
t he i r
f ul l
po t e n t i al
but
was
fo r c e d t o l i v e a st un t e d , n a r r o w l i fe , t h e s p e c i e s s u f ­
f e r e d p s yc h i c a l l Y a n d s o c i al l y a s we l l .
w r i ti n g s ,
t h e r e fo r e ,
or,
e v o l ut i o n
m ore
deal
in
som e
spe cifi cal l y ,
M o s t o f G i l m an ' s
m anne r
wi th
with
w ay s
in
hum an
whi c h
n i n e t e e n t h - c e n t u ry A m e r i c a n w o m e n w e r e o p p r e s s e d ,
t he
s o c i a l r e s ul t s o f t h a t o p p r e s s i o n ,
and the
s u c h o p p r e s s i o n c o u ld b e l i ft e d .
T hi s ch a p t e r e xa m i n e s
so m e
of her
s t ra t e g i e s
beli efs
s h e u sed
an d e x p l o r e s
to
m e a n s b y w h ic h
s o m e o f t h e l i t e r a ry
a rg u e t h o s e b e l i e f s i n f i c t i o n .
G i l m an ' s v i e w s o n s o c i al
re f o rm
w e r e g r e at l y i n ­
f l u e n c e d b y N a t i o n a l i s m , a r e fo r m m o v e m e n t i n s p i r e d b y
51
Ed w ar d Be l l a m y ' s u t o pi an i d e a s a s t h e s e w e r e e x p r e s s e d i n
his
ro m a n c e
1 888
Her
l,.Q .Q� 1 .nL � S..Q � .:wg.r.Q .
m o st
i n f l ue n t i a l
b oo k , jQ .ID�.n -��g-��Q D� �j���-!_§��g�_Qf_�h�- �� Q.D.Q��.Q-��lg=
�jQ,n_������.n_M�n_g.n.Q_HQ���-��-A_lg.Q�QI_i.n_�Q�j�l-�YQ=
r e f l ect s
l..Y�i Q� ( 1 8 9 8 ) ,
a l i s t s ' i d e a s.
tion
of
m a n y o f Be l l a m y ' s a n d t h e N a t i o n ­
O ne o f N a t i on a l i s m ' s
t e n et s
w a s t he
ab o l i ­
" s e x - s l av e r y " :
N at i o na l i sm
w oman,
b r e a k s t h e s t r o n g e s t f e t t e r w h i c h b i nd s
vi z. ,
her
m ater i al
d ep end en c e
a nd
o n m an ,
m a k e s h e r hi s h el p m eet a s a n e qu a l a nd in d e p e n d e n t
p a r t ne r ,
w ha t
a c c o m p l i sh i n g
pol itica l
p a rt i al l y
q uo t e d
do.
by
e c o n om i c
fr a n ch i s e me n t
C N � .w
.N � � j Q .n
e n f ra n c h i s e m e n t
al o n e
March
28
c ould
1 89 1 :
but
1 39 ;
b y S c harnho r s t 2 2 )
Gil m a n real ized
capabl e as m en ,
that women w e r e innate l y j u s t as
b u t t h ei r l i m i t e d
e d u c at i o n ,
i n su f f i ­
c i e n t c o n t a c t w i t h t h e w o rl d o u t si d e t h e ho m e , a n d fe w
o p po r t u n it i e s
to
act
b e " s m al l e r - m i n d e d ,
lating
•
•
•
i nd e p e n d e nt l y
w e a k e r- m i n d e d ,
w ho s o e v er ,
ma d e
m an o r wo man,
i s a l w a y s gua rd e d ,
and
wil l
become
w e a k e n e d b y i t " ( l h �_ ]Q .ID Q 2 7 7 ) .
52
app ear
to
m o r e t i m i d a nd v a c i l ­
s m al l d a rk p l a c e ,
r e st raine d,
t he m
l iv e s a l w a ys i n a
p ro t e c t e d ,
i ne v i t a b l y
di rec te d ,
narro wed
and
G i l m a n knew t ha t w o m an
could
be
t ies.
H o w ev e r ,
m a n ' s e qual if s h e w e r e giv e n hi s
t he m a l e a n d t h e
o p p o r tu n i ­
f e ma l e w e re
even rear ed
G il man ci t e s a c o m m o n e x a mp l e :
d i f f e re n t l y .
S e e t w o ch i l d ren o n a j our ney ,
t h e mo t h e r h o l d i n g
fa s t t o t h e gi r l f r o m b e g i n n i n g t o e n d ,
s e a t an d w i nd o w
p l a t fo r m ,
t i ons
of
r u n n in g a b o u t t h e s t a t i o n ,
b r ak e m a n
as t h e g i r l ,
is
on l y
to
also
did
nar ro w e d b y
w om an
b ut
from
as
t he
gi r l s ,
suffer
w o m an ' s
al l
t he
l o n g b e fo r e
and
from
one
her
cannot
l im i ted
t h a t t he
re p r e s si o n ,
his
b y t h e ho m e a nd
w o m an .
interes t s
i s he
w i t h a sm a l l e r m i n d .
m al e
I t i s n ot
G i l m a n a l s o re c o gn i z e d
narrowe d
ab i l i t i e s h i g h ,
S i m i l ar l y ,
l ea rni ng
a s sh e
i n lh�_ .!J.Q .!!l& :
w o m an i s
gr e a t ,
p l a y w i th
the
s u f fe r e d
a c k n o wl e d g e s
T he
a s k i n g q u e s­
( G i l m a n .!J.Q .!!l� 2 7 9 )
po s i t i o n i n so c i et y ,
m al e
en g i n e e r ,
an d
and he kno w s i t.
a s h a m ed
b l am e h i m .
Not
t he b o y o n t h e s t e p s , t he
T h e b o y g e t s f i v e t i m e s a s m u ch o u t o f l i f e
t im e .
he
fo r he r ;
o nl y t h e c a r
s he a r gu e s i n
the m an i s
I n p ro p o rt i o n a s
a re
w o r1 d - w i d e
i n j u r e d b y c o n s t a nt
man i s
and
his
c o nt a c t
(277)
�h � - � �D= M g 9� - � Q � l � t h a t t h e
c a n b e t h w a r te d i n d e v e l o p in g d e s i r a b l e h u m a n q ua l i -
53
t ie s
if
t he
fe m a l e
o f hi s
me mb ers
fa m i l y
are
s u b s er ­
vient :
I n t he p r o c e s s o f
b ec o m ing h u m an w e mus t l earn to
re c o gn i z e j u s t i c e ,
l e a rn
s e l f- co nt r o l
m in d s
that
l ea r n
the
g ro w
b roa d
a nd
and
to
think
b road en
m u t ua l
of
o th er s ;
rat i onal l y ;
i n t e r - s erv i ce
and
j o y o f s o c i a l i n t e r c o u r s e and s er v ic e .
d es p ot
of
the
m a n- m ad e
home
h u m an n e s s b y t o o m u c h m an n e s s .
one
w ho l e
w o m an t o
is
mother,
t he
T he p e t t y
c o n si d e ra t i o n
•
•
of
•
w i fe ,
•
t a s te s
d o m i na n c e
In
addi t ion,
Too
m ak e s
do m i n a t i o n
w i t h t h e ma l e c h a r a c t e r ­
p r e d o m i na t e l y s e x a n d c o m b a t ,
95-1 00).
a
(42)
t h e fe m i n i n e v i r t u e o f m o t he r l y
.M � g �
his
ca n n o t
w e n e e d to - d a y .
t h e m a st e r 's
ne c e ss i t y b e co m e s p e r m e a t e d
i s ti c s,
in
Th e b o y w i th a se r ­
G i l m an b el i e v ed t h a t a c u l t u re u n d e r m a le
by
m u st
unb o un d ed
hind ered
t he m a n w i t h a s e rv i le
m aste r selfis h
we
c o ok f o r a n d w a it u p o n h i m i s
r e ac h t h e s e n s e o f e qu a l r i g ht s
c o nst ant
have
F o r e ac h m a n to h a v e
po o r e d u c a t i o n fo r d e m o c r ac y .
vile
w e m u st
f r e e d o m , h u m an ri g ht s ;
on
a ll
l e v e ls ,
an d
l o v e i s i g n o r e d ( .M � .D::
G i lman
a s s um e d
t hat
m ale
w a s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r w h a t s h e c o ns i d e r e d t he
m a l e v i e w t h a t l i fe
c o n s i s t s o f s t ru g g l e
54
and t h at
fe-
male
d o m i n a n ce
w o uld
c o n s i s t s o f g r ow t h
a
m i s an d r i s t ,
"T h e r e
wh i c h
has
( M.9:.D= M �..d� 8 4 ) .
ho wev e r.
sh ould
be
an
aris e n
On
en d
to
between
the
the
th e
she
b i o l o g i ca l b a s i s f o r t h e
that
v er
early in
o f
the
m anki nd ' s
race
ho w e v e r ,
The
.
•
a
S he t h eo r i z e d
ro l e a s
ro l e
relation
was
as
n e e e s s ary
t o d e e p e n a n d s w e et en ,
to
and
s he w ou ld h ave
pr e s e r ­
h unt e r ,
to
m ake
rai se
mo r e
b o t h w ou l d h a v e
r e m ai n ed s up e ­
r e m ai n e d
In h e r s u b o r d i na t e p o si t i on ,
d i s a d va nt a g e ,
t h ro u gh t h e
ve ry
co ns tru c ti v e fo r c e of
i n s t r u m e nt ,
w o rl d .
t o a s s um e
a n d s o m o r e hum a n , t h e ma l e of the h u m an
r io r t o h i m ,
the
in
M a n h a d t o re no u n c e h i s f o r m e r
f r e e d o m a n d a c t i v i ty ,
•
c e nt ur y "
I f th e f e m a l e ha d r e m a i n e d i n f u l l p e r s on a l
r a ce .
.
fee ling
b e l i e ve d
a lso
w o m an ' s
man's
of
w ro t e :
i n o rd e r t o b u i l d c i vi l i z at i o n :
an d b r o a d e n ,
ry
sh e
this
b y Darw in
hi s t o r y ,
t r a ns ce nd e d
se x u o - e c on o m i c
f em in i ne ,
she
in
t wo s e xual r o l e s .
fi g h t e r , a n d d e s t ro y e r .
rol e ,
con tr a ry ,
sexe s
w a s i nf l ue n c e d
l i f e a l so
G i l m a n w a s no t a t a l l
b i t t erness
Since
ev o l u t i o n ,
t ha t
e n g e n d e r t h e v ie w
and
walls
u n d e r e v e ry
he r p r i son,
w o m a n h a s m ad e
w o r k e d f or t he
< H � � �n_.§:_ng_ EQ2nQm! �§
55
of
132)
s t a t i on a ­
man its
u p bu i l d in g o f t he
S in ce
of
m an ' s
e n e r g y c o u l d o nl y b e c on t ro l l e d " b y t h e p ow e r
s e x-at t ra ct i on ,
union,
hol d
h im
acted
move
w ith
its
to his
l ik e
a
ne e d e d
t ha t
needed
ta s k "
co i le d
Wo man ' s
( 1 33 ).
sp r i n g" u p o n
thi s
fo rm
of
s e x- fac ul t y ,
to
s ub o r di n a t i o n
man ,
t ha t
fu r t h e r
t he
to
s he
m an no w
e v o l ut i o n o f
( H Q ���-��g��Q�Qm i�§ 1 3 2 - 1 3 7 ) .
H a v i n g d e v e lo p e d
s up e r i o r p o s i ti o n i n
her
t h eo r i e s
s o c i e ty ,
w o u l d e m b r ac e L e s t e r F .
it
ab o u t
w o m an ' s
wa s na t u r a l
ea r l i e r
t h at
Gi l m an
W a rd ' s g y n ae c o c e n t r i c t h eo r y t h a t
a r g u e d t h e o r g a ni c p r i m a c y o f t h e f e m a l e .
W a rd ,
h o w e v er ,
s t ag e o f e v o l u t i on w a s e n d e d ;
to
"has
e nab l ing h i m
B y t h e n i n e t e en t h c e n t u r y ,
w o m an ' s c o nt ri b u t i o n s
hu m a n i t y
p rec isely
pe c u l i a r e x a g g e r a t i o n o f
m ountains.
b e l i ev e d
it
Ac c o rd i n g t o
w o m a n w a s " t h e un c h an g i ng tr u n k o f t h e gr e a t ge ne ­
a l o g i a t. r e e ;
scion,
w h il e m an
•
•
•
i s b u t a br a n ch,
a s i t w e r e ( H i l l ..C£.Q 2 6 7 ) .
H � I l g �g ,
her
abi l it ies
she
I n h e r u t op i a n n ov e l
s t ro n g e s t e x p r e s s i o n o f
b e l ieved
women
a gra f t ed
p o ss e ss ed ,
t h e innate hum a n
G i l m an
e xp l o d e s
t ra di t i ona l i d e a s of m a s c u li n e a n d f e m i n i n e b eh av io r ;
th e
w o m e n i n H e r l a n d d o w h a t e v e r ne e d s t o b e d o n e t o c re a t e a
only
de s i ra b l e h u ma n
a t t r i b u t e s h a v e b e e n c u l t i v at e d , a n d t h e
q ua 1 i t i e s w h i c h
p e rf e c t
Gil man
com mun ity.
cl o n s i d e r e d
In
th i s w or l d
de s t r u c t i v e
56
m al e
t ra i t s ,
spec ifically
c o m b a t i v e t e n de n c i e s a n d
be en e ra d i c a t e d .
He r l a n d a r e
bas e d ,
Fe at ur e s d e v e l o p e d b y t he
i d e n t i f i ed
as
hum a n,
ra t h e r
t e ri st i c s ,
c ons i d er s
Gi l m a n ' s
soc iety in
t h a n ge n d e r ­
f i c t i o n t e nd s t o s t r e s s t h e s e h u m a n ch a r a c ­
s he
b ut
e s p ec i a l ly
in t ri n s i c a l l y
fic t i on ,
t hey
uni m ag i n a t i v e .
e mp h a s i z es
fem a le .
t h os e
t hat
W he n c r i t i c s
g e n e r al l y d e s c r i b e
it
as
d i d a c t ic
C a r l N . D e g l e r i s o n e w h o an a l y z e s
b u t w it h out m u c h i m agery o r d e ep s e ns ib i l i t y . "
D eg l e r ,
t ur n s
i ts
appe a l
of p h ra s e ,
exp r e ss i on"
she
di s cu ss
b o t h h e r p o e t r y and h e r p r o s e a s " s t r a i g h t fo r w a rd ,
to
have
c ha r a c t e r i s t i c s .
Gilman's
and
a g gr e s s i v e s e x u a l d r i v e s ,
and
d e p en d s
i d eas
( In t ro du c t i o n ,
"mo re
t h an u p o n
u p on
l uc i d ,
A c co r d i n g
w it ,
clever
r hyt h m o r a e s t h et i c
jg �� D-�g ����� �1�� x i i i ) .
In
s p i t e o f h i s g r e a t a d m i r a t i o n f o r h e r w o rk , h e c o n c e d e s
t ha t t h i s " m i l i t ant m a d o n n a " ha d " l i t t l e t a l e n t fo r i ma g­
i n a t i ve
w ri ti n g"
( x vi i - xv ii i ) .
An n
J.
Lane
d e s cr i b e s
Gi l m a n ' s w r i t i n g i n s i m i l a r t e r m s o f l i m i t a t i o n :
Gi1 m an
ga v e
l i t e r a t u re ,
a fraid .
po i n t .
l i ne .
1 1t t1 e
an d
at t e n t i o n
n ei ther
will
to
her
t he
writing
re ad e r ,
I
as
am
S h e w r o t e q u i c k 1 y , c a r e 1 e s s 1 y , t o m ak e a
S h e al w ay s w r o t e
St il l ,
fict i on t o me et
a de ad­
s h e h a d a g o o d e a r fo r d i a l o gu e ,
57
wa s
ad e p t a t s k e t c h i n g w i th i n a f ew p a g e s a fa m i l i a r b u t
co m pl i c a t e d
s et o f
r e l a t i o n s hi p s ,
an d k n e w
w e l l t he
w h o l e ra ng e o f w o r r i e s a n d j o y s w o m e n s h a r e d .
w r o t e t o e n ga g e a n a u d i e n c e i n h e r i d e a s ,
l i t e ra r y
a c co m p l i sh m en t s.
n o t i n he r
( I n t r o d uc t i o n ,
l2it�- f�r �in� - �� 1 � gD ��� ��r ,
She
Ih�-� b�r=
( xv i )
Ch r i s t o p he r P . W i l s o n , h o w e v e r , i n d i s cu s si n g G i l ­
m an ' s
"o ft e n- ne g l e c t e d
article
e n t i tl e d
Bur ghe r s :
w h at
l i t e r a ry
" Ch a r lo t t e
s ki l l s "
P e rk i n s
in
his
Gilm an' s
1 9 86
S t e ad y
T h e T e r r a i n o f .H �r 1 a n .Q " a r g u e s t h a t m u c h o f
re ad e r s t o d a y c on s i d e r G i l m a n ' s " l ac k of 'a f fe c t ' "
[ s ic ]
wa s i n t e n t i o na l ,
bl ind and
h a l f - d e a f as
her
ov e r t ur n
t ions
of
" ro m a n c e "
o ft en
read e r 's
fo r
c o n s c i o us l y
pr e c on c ept i on s
o r d e s i r ab l e
p ri n c ip a l l y ,
wrot e
t he
h a l f­
it we re :
fi c t i o n
her
" n at u r a l "
a s i f s he
in
a
wo rk
lo bb ie d
abo ut
of
wh a t
to
was
l i t e ra t u re - ­
b y f r u s t ra t i n g t h e i d e o l o g i c a l e x p e c t a ­
the
from
l it e ra t u r e
her
e ra .
of
" ad v e nt u r e "
F u r th e r m o re ,
G il m a n
and
aimed
t o c o nc e i v e o f a f e m i n i s t a n d s o c ia l i s t i d i o m p a rt l y
by
r e m od i fy i n g
l i t erary
•
c o nv e n t i o n s
w hi ch
l i n k e d st an d a r d s o f t a s t e t o re c e i v e d g e nd e r r o l e s
an d
ex p e c t ati o ns.
( 27 3 )
58
As W i l s o n p o i n t s o u t ,
h e r e t o f o r e ne gl e c t e d a r t i c l e s i n
l b � f Q r � r y n n� r " d e m o n s t r a t e G i l m a n ' s i n t e n t i o n t o f u s e
he r f e m ini s t p e rspe c t i v e s w i t h he r l i t e r a r y p ra c t i c e"
S in ce
( 278 ) .
her
body of
he r l'2r�r.JJn �.r a rt i c l e s - - i n d e e d ,
w r i t i ng - - d e m o n s t ra t e
t h e w id e
t he
b r e ad t h of he r
r e ad i n g a n d h e r k e en un d e r st a n d i n g o f l i t e r a t u r e ,
s h o u ld
r ea l i z e
t h at G i l m an w a s
s e l f t o t h e c r e at i o n o f
en t i re
c rit ics
cons c iou s l y a p p l y i n g h er ­
a d i s t i n c t iv e l i t e r a ry m o d e .
I n a n e s s a y e n t i t l e d " M a s c u l i n e L i t e r a tu r e " i n t h e
G i l m an c o m p l ai n s ab o u t t h e d i f fe r e nc e s
M a r c h 1 9 1 0 i s s ue ,
ac c o r d e d
m e n an d
m e n- - a n d
thus
male
in
l i t e r a t ur e a n d i n h i s t o r y ,
t h i n k i n g- - be i n g
t h at
so- cal l e d
w o m en ' s
so- called wom en's i ssues,
K l e i d e r"
( 1 8 ) ,
av a i l a b l e ,
" ess e n t ia l
L ov e
wh il e
columns
" K uch e n ,
o f
al l
a re
K i n de r ,
the
hu man
an d
(18).
S he
fi l l ed
w it h
K i rc h e ,
human
the
and
i nt e r e st s
f i c t i o n a nd m u c h o f h i s t o ry f o c u s o n t h e t wo
f e a tu r e s
and War"
( 20 ).
f i c t io n d i d n ot
of
m a s c u l i n i ty - - D e s i r e
P ro t e s t i n g th a t
o n t h e s p e c i al
fi e l d
t he
s ol e
of
p ro v in c e
ha l f o f
mu ch
" t ou c h o n h u m a n p r o c e ss e s ,
bu t
since
c o n s id e r e d
b ei n g c o n s i d e re d a m e r e " s i d e - i s su e "
t h e w o men
re f l e c t s
wom en
an d
of
the
( 1 9 -20 ) ,
she
h u m a ni t y c o n s i s t s o f w o m en ,
59
c u r r e nt
so c i a l p ro c e s s ,
o f p r e d a tory e xc i t e men t
m e n"
C o m b at - ­
so long
a r gue s
t hat
fic t i o n and
hi s t o r y s h o u l d
ues ,
are
r e f l e c t th a t
al s o
"types
of
fa c t .
h um an
li fe"
G i l m an c o n t in whose
"m a j o r
c o n f l i c t a nd a d v e n t ur e " a n d
p r o c e s s e s a r e not t ho s e of
w h o s e " lo v e m e an s m o r e
W om en,
than m a t ing" ( 2 0 ) .
S h e c ont en d s
th a t t h e " m a i n b r a n c h " o f l i t e r a t u r e i s t h e l o v e s t o r y ,
b u t i t i s t h e s t o r y o f " m a n ' s l o v e o f w o m an " r a t h e r t h a n
t he
fo r the s e s t o r i e s
re v e r s e ,
a lm o st a l w ays e nd w i t h
the m a r riage :
W o m a n ' s l o v e fo r m a n,
t i o n [ si c ]
a s currentl y t r eated i n f i c ­
i s l a r ge l y a
re f l e x ;
it
is the way he
h er to f e e l ; not a fai r
w a nt s h e r t o fe e l , e x pe c t s
r e p re s e n t a t i o n o f h o w s h e d o e s f e e l .
If
" l ov e " i s
t o b e s e le c t e d a s t h e mo s t i m po r t an t t h i n g i n l i fe
to
w r i t e a b o ut ,
the
p r i n c i p al
t h en t he
s u bj e ct :
m o t he r ' s l o v e
This is the main
T h i s i s t h e g e n e ra l und e r lY i n g ,
[ si c ]
ab o ut ,
n ot
in
T he
" l i fe- fo rc e , "
sh o u l d b e
now
st r ea m .
w o r l d -l i f t i n g fo r c e ,
so
gl ib l y
c h a t t e r ed
f in d s i t s fu l l e st e x p r e s s i o n i n m o t h e r h o o d ;
the
p re l i m i n a ry
em o t i o n s
stages.
of
an
a s si st ant
in
the
( 20 )
G i l m an fu r t he r a s s e rt s t h a t m a s c u l i n e f i c t i o n f o ­
c u s e s o n t h e b r i e f p e r i o d o f c o u rt sh i p du ri ng w h i c h m a n
st r i v e s t o w i n w o m a n b e c a u s e t o h i m
60
th i s
m at i n g
it.
is
f ra n k l y
To
the m ale
.
•
is
but
p r o ce s s e s
In
this
sa me
in t e re s t
a
t em p o rary
o f l i fe ' s
a r t i cl e
I n n a t u re ' s e c o n o m y ,
d e vo t i o n ,
fu l f i l l m en t
th e
s lo w
of
a b r o ad e r l i t e r a ­
history
in­
t h at
e x p e r ie n c e s o f b o t h k i n d s o f h u m an
cl u de s th e
sp ectrum
b e i ng ,
m a l e a n d t h e f e m a le ,
of
h e rs
( 21 ).
G i l m a n a rg u e s f o r
t u re a n d a b r oad e r i n t er p r e t at i on
t he
major
i s f o r al l i t s in t e n­
it
•
s i ty , but a pass ing inte r e st .
his
the
ev e n t h e b e l l i g e r e nt i n s t in c t s a r e s e c on d
of life;
to
in s t i n c t
r at h e r t h a n t he p r e v al e n t
on e - s i d e d o v e r e st i m a t i o n of " t h e d o m i n a n t i n s t i n c t s o f
t h e m al e - - L o v e an d W a r- - a n o f f e n s e a g a i n s t a r t a n d t r ut h ,
an d a n i n j u r y t o l i f e " ( 2 2 ) .
In
a
later
es say
in
Vo l u m e
3
o f I h �- �QI�£�DD�r ,
" E f f e c t o f L i t e r a t u re U p o n t h e M in d , " M ay
s t a te s h e r t h e o r y a b o u t w h a t
19 12,
G i l m an
fict ion should be :
T o fee l an d se e so m e vital pha s e o f hu man l i fe;
throw
that
fe e l in g ,
that
p r ec e p t i o n
[ si c ] ,
to
i n to
s uc h f or m s a s t o b e e a s i l y a ss i m i l ab l e t o o t h e r s - ­
t ha t i s
t he a r t o f f i c t i on
•
•
•
•
It
t ra n sl a t e s t h e
g e n e ra l i n t o t h e p a rt i c u l a r a nd p r e s e n t s i t t o o t h e r
m in d s ;
w h ic h ,
i m pr e s s e d
by t h e pa r t i c ul a r
c a n r e - g e n e ra l i z e a g a i n i n i t s o w n b r a i n .
61
i n s t a n ce ,
( 1 38)
D ickens
w as
o n e o f Gi l m a n ' s f av o r i t e a ut ho r s ,
be c au s e o f hi s c r u s a d e s fo r t h e
in s t i t u t i o n s
as w e ll
f oun d
wh i c h
a f fe c te d
t he
as h i s w r i t i n g s ty l e .
t hr oughout
her
p r e su m a b l y
refo r ma tio n of various
qua l i t y
o f E ng l i sh
Allusions t o his
w r i t i n g.
To
li f e
w o rks
are
i l l u s t r at e he r i d e a
t h a t l i t e ra t u r e s h o u l d " t r a n s l a t e t h e
ge ne r a l in t o t h e
p a rt i cu la r , " s h e c i t e s D ick ens ' i n d i c t m e n t o f t h e bo y s '
s chool s
tion
in
E ng l and
in
h is
de p i c t i o n
one
s uc h
i n s t it u ­
i n B1�DQl�§-R1 ���l� .
G i l ma n was,
t h e n,
t ha t a r t " ' ho 1 d s t he
c on vi n c e d
that
a n a d v o c a te
mi
wo m a n ' s
To h e r ,
s u b j u ga t i o n w a s
W il son
d e fi n i t i o n
w as
no t
in
th e n a t u r e
ra t h e r , a n i n ve nt i o n o f m a n.
the " a r t w h ich gi v e s hu m a n i t y c o n s cio u sn e s s i s
t h e m o s t v i t a l a r t " ( .f.Q.r �.r ..u..n.n�..r ,
h ol d
o f th e o l d
r r o r u p t o n a t u r e , ' " a n d s he
o f t hi n g s , b u t t hat i t wa s ,
to
of
the
m i rr or
ap t ly
t erm s
up
a
to
all
I,
S h e a t t em p t e d
19).
a r ea s
of
l i fe
"c ounte rpo inti n g
in
what
sty l e"
that
a t t a c k e d " a m a s c u l i n i s t d i s t o r t i o n w h i c h h ad o v e r t ak e n
c o nt em p o rary
f ic t i o n" ( 2 7 9 ) .
H o w e v er ,
r e m o di fy l i t e ra r y c o nv e n t i o n s s o
he r a t t e m p t s
to
as t o a c h i ev e n ew l i t e r ­
a r y i d i o m s b a s e d o n a b r o a d e r s p e c t r u m o f h u m a n l i f e , o ne
t h at
was
more
f e m i n i s t a n d m o r e g e n e ra l l y s o c ia l i s t ,
62
a re
fr e q u e nt l y
misread ,
lite rary
st y l e a s
m e n t io n ed
ea r l i e r .
r e s u l t in g
t h at
in
of Carl
s uc h
cr i t i c i s m s
D eg ler
a n d A nn
B y w r i t i n g a b o ut o t h e r fa c e t s o f
of
J.
he r
L ane
t h e i s s ue s o f 1 o v e
and w a r t h a n t h o s e t h a t ma l e w r i t e r s o f t e n e mp h a s i ze d ,
Gil man
attem p ted ,
some times
a l mo s t
by
11 s h o c k , 11
to
use
F l an n e r y O ' C o n n o r ' s t e r m , t o
i l l u s t r a t e t h e i m p o rt a n c e
of fem inine
i s s ue s t ha t
i n f l ue n ce s
wri t e r s had ignore d.
w i t h th e
an d
p u b li c ,
m a le
st o r ies
t o ge t h e r ,
fo r
G i l m an ' s s t o r i e s t e n d t o d e a l w i t h s o m e i s s u e
w i t h i n t h e m a r r i ag e i t s e l f
of
fel t
R a t h e r t h a n e n d h e r l o ve
l ov e r s r i d i n g o f f in t o t h e s u n s e t
e x am p l e ,
t yp e s
s he
l o ve .
In
an
or
att e mpt
G i l m a n d e m o n s t ra t e s
r i o r h u m an q u a l i t i e s a n d
r ecognized
or
w i t h o the r than roma nti c
to
e d u c at e
t he
r ea d i ng
i n h e r fi c t i o n w o m an ' s
ab i l i t i e s
ac k n o w l e d g e d
f re qu ent ly w e r e n o t c u lt i va t e d
and
sup e­
w h i c h w e r e o ft e n n o t
whic h ,
in m any
t h e r ef o r e ,
w o m e n ' s l iv e s .
T o m ak e h e r p o i n t a n d t o i l l u s t r a t e t h a t m a n ' s v i ew w a s
t ra d i t i on r at h e r t ha n n a t u r e ,
the
male
di s t o r t i o n s o f
d i s t o rt i o n s o f h e r o w n .
v i de
e x c e l l en t
In
e x a mp l e s
s h e o f t e n c o u n t e r po i n t s
w a r a nd lo v e w i t h som e
fem a le
S o m e o f he r s h o r t s t o r i e s p r o ­
of th i s c o u n t e r p o i n t i n g.
"T h e U n n a t u r a l M o t h e r , " G i l m a n ' s p o r t r a y a l o f a
63
w o m a n w h o h a s s a c r i f i c e d h e r o w n c h i l d t o s a ve t h e p e o p l e
o f the t o w n f r o m a f l o o d i l l u st rates a w o man's lov e for
h u m an i t y t ha t t r a ns c e n d s e v e n m a t er n a l l o v e a n d d epi c t s a
w o m an
whos e
rect
be
an d
p hy s i c a l
c o n t ra s t
to
m ental
V i e t o r ia n
t he
ide al
As t he
f ra i l c r e a t u r e s .
w e ak and
s t r e n gt h p ro v i d e
a
t ha t gi rls
d i­
sh o u l d
st o r y o p e n s ,
Mis '
B r i g g s a nd a gro u p o f t o w n sw o m e n di s c u s s E s t h er G re en ­
decea sed,
wood,
who
had
b e en
r e a re d
"the
so me what
n e g l e c t e d c h i l d o f a h e a r t - b r ok e n w i d o w e r " ( L a n e 5 8 ) ,
d o c to r
ter
w h os e a l i e n " vi e w s " i n c l ud e d
"a w il d ,
c lo t he s ,
and,
s ho r t h a i r ,
i n fo r m at i o n ab o u t " h o w b ab i e s c o m e , "
s t a r tl ing f r o m
" na t u ral"
D i s eas e"
d au g h ­
h e al t hy c h i l d h oo d " t h a t i n cl u d e d s e n s i b l e
eve n mo re
t o wn ' s
a l l o w in g h i s
a
(62).
mo ther s ,
He
h ad
t h e p oi n t of
in f o r ma t i o n
sh o c k e d t he
view of
ab o u t
t he
the
"Bad
co m mi t t e e of o ld e r ,
m a r r i e d l a d i e s o f t h e c h u r ch w h o " w a i t e d o n " h i m f o r an
e x p l a na t i o n
Esther
to
w i th
his
t he
have
ca l m
i n fo r m a t i o n
i n t e l l ig e n tl y t o ch o o se
S c a nd a l i z e d ,
no
m an
life , "
h ad
w o uld
b ut
one
t he
m a r ry
ha d ,
as s e rt i o n
n e c e s sa ry
he
to
w a n t ed
be
abl e
a fa t h e r fo r h e r c h i l d r e n .
to w n s p eo p l e
a
that
gi rl
" who
had
knew
been
al l
c e rta i n
th e
a n " a rt i s t o r s o m et h i n g . "
sp e n t m u c h t i m e " t r a i p si n g" t h e h i l l s ,
64
t h at
ev i l
of
The two
t h e hu s ba n d
E s t h e r k e e p i n g h i m c o mp a n y , a nd
pa in t i n g ,
s h e in
tu r n h a d
re a r e d h e r d a u g h t e r a s s h e h a d b e e n nu r t u r e d . T o q u o t e
old Mis ' Br iggs,
"S h e j u s t l e t t h a t y o u n g o n e r o l l r o u n d
g r a s s 1 i k e a p u p p y w i t h h a rd 1 y n o t h i n ' o n I
in the
a squ aw d o e s b et t e r .
T h a t c h i l d w a s t r e at e d w o r s e ' n
t h r iv e d
( 6 3 ) T h e c h i l d h a d gr o w n ,
an I n j u n ! "
spite
of
" Wh y ,
t h a t w o m a n ne v e r s e e me d t o h a v e t h e
the
t ow n ' s
m a t e r nal f eel ing
•
as s e s s m e n t
.
W hy ,
•
She
•
of
E s t h er ' s
a c t u al l y ,
in
s h o r t c o m i n g s.
fir st
spa rk o f
s e e m ed j u s t a s fon d o f t h e
o t h e r y o u n g o n e s a f t e r s h e h a d h e r o w n a s s h e w a s b e fo r e ,
a n d t h a t ' s a g a i n s t n a t u r e , " t h e s ca n d a 1 i z e d M i s ' B r i g g s
a s s u re s
her
l i steners
It
was
E s th e r w ho
go i ng.
ha d
fir st
re a l iz e d
T h r e e t o w ns l a y i n i t s p at h ,
eith er
towns.
ra c e d
h o me
fo r h e r
th e
"he
up b r i n g i n g h ad
o w n yo u n g c h i l d
never
saw
a
s e rv e d
w o m an
run
or
her well .
so
da m w a s
a n d E st h e r c ou l d h a v e
ru n t o t h e
S h e ha d c h o s e n to s a v e t h e t o w n s p e o p l e ,
t o m b o y i sh
sai d
(64).
in
his
a n d her
J ak e E l de r
life"
(64 ).
E s t h e r h a d gi v e n h e r 1 i f e f o r t h e p e o p 1 e a n d h a d s a c r i ­
fic e d h e r c h i l d a l s o ,
o r so s h e ha d n o d o u b t t h o ug h t ,
i t h ad b e e n p l u c k e d f r o m t h e w a t e r n e a r l y d r ow n e d .
t o wn ' s " n at u r a l "
" in s t i n c t "
mot h e r s
a r e , h ow e v e r ,
who
rear
sh o c k e d .
65
t he i r
As
chil d ren
but
The
bY
M is ' Br iggs re-
m i n d s h e r u n m ar ri e d t h i rt y- s i x - ye a r -o l d d a u gh t e r w ho
tr ie s
to
de fend
E st h e r 's
de ci s io n
to
at t e mp t
to
s a ve
f i f t e e n h u n d r ed p e o p l e a t t h e e x p e n s e o f h e r o wn da u gh ­
ter ,
" M a r ia
' M e l ia ,
I'm
a s ha m e d
ain't m ar ri e d a nd a i n 't a mo t h e r.
of
y ou
A m o t he r ' s d ut y i s t o
S h e ne g l e c t e d h e r o w n t o l o o k a f t e r o t h er
her ow n chi ld !
fo l k s ' - - t h e L o r d n ev e r ga v e h e r t h e m
c a re
But
you !
oth e r c h i l d r e n to
for ! "
"Yes, "
said
b u r d e n o n t he
T hi s
m an ' s
Mi s s Ja c o b s ,
to w n !
s t o ry
against which
sh e
d i s to rt i o n s
cr u sa d e d :
m a u dl i n
c h i l d ca r e
c hi l d ,
of
some
a
( 65 )
b e c a u s e of G i l ­
p re va l en t
v i ew s
t h e i d e a th at a l o n g w i th t he
b ab y c o m e s a n i n he r e n t i n s t i n c t fo r g o o d
m ak e s
her
S he w a s a n u nn a t u r a l m o t he r ! "
bo rde rs on t he
o u t ra g e ou s
" A n d h e r e' s
e d uca t i o n
m o t h e r i ng w hi ch
u nn e c e s s ary ;
the
i dea
th a t
g i r l s sh o u l d be k ep t i gno r a n t an d i nn o c e n t o f t h e f a c t s
o f l i f e s o a s t o b e m o r e m a r k e t a b l e fo r m a r r i a g e ; a n d t h e
idea
for
t hat
this
gi r l s
same
s h ou l d
be
weak,
f r ai l ,
re a so n - - m a rk e t a b i l i t y .
an d
I n he r
he l pl e s s
view
wom en
s h ou l d c h o os e t o m a r r y a m a n w ho w i l l be a g o o d f a t h e r :
" Co m p e t i t i o n a m o ng m al e s ,
the
superior
male ,
w i t h s e l e c t i o n b y t h e f e m a l e of
i s t h e p r o c e s s o f s ex ua l
s e l e c t io n ,
a n d w o r k s t o r a c i a l i m p r o v e m e n t " ( � Q �� D- EDg_��QDQ � i��
66
A w o m an
1 1 0- 1 1 1 ) .
cou ld
make
an i n t e l l i g e n t de c i s i o n
o n l y i f s h e k ne w t h e fa c t s o f l i fe , b o t h t h e b i o l o g i ca l
and the s o c ial on e s.
i n G i l m an ' s s h o r t s t o r y
yo u n g
a w o m a n p h ys i c i a n
A s D r . Be l l a i r ,
e nt i t l e d
"T h e C r u x " a d m o n i sh e s a
w o m a n w ho i s a b o u t t o a l l o w s e n t i m e n t al i ty t o s w a y
m a r r y in g a m a n e v e n a f t e r s h e l e a r n s h e h a s a
he r into
vene rea l di sea se ,
" B e w a r e of a b i o l o gi c a l s i n ,
fo r i t t he re i s n o fo r g i ve n e s s "
Mate rnal
l ov e
( Lane
1 22 ) .
t h a t t r a n s c e n d s t h e l o v e o f a w o m an
f o r h e r o w n o f f s p r i n g i s a l s o e xp l o r e d
s to r y de pi c t i ng the
s i s t e rh o o d
p o s s i b i l i ty a m o ng w o m e n .
M a r ro n e r
G e rt a ,
rone r
l e a r ns
t i m e.
reade rs
p o in t s
of
Gerta ' s
y o u n g s e r v a nt
one t hat
This
al lo w s
saw
" T u r ne d , "
a
a s a de s i r a b l e
W h e n t he e d u c at e d , g e n t e e l M r s .
t r ea t e d a s a d a u g h t e r ,
p e c t e d m a nne r ,
the
G i l man
in
t h a t h e r b e l ov e d h u s b a n d h a s i mp r e gn a t e d
t he i r b e a ut i f u l
had
my dea r ;
view
story
to
of
i nn o c e n c e ,
was
told
by a
three
t e r ro r ,
an d
th i rd
t he
whom M rs.
b eh a v e s in
s h o ck ing t o
un de r st an d
all
she
g ir l
many
an unex­
r e ad e r s o f
pe r son
situation
na r r a t o r
fro m
t he
Th ey
s ee
pa r t i c i p a n t s.
sham e;
M rs.
M ar r one r ' s
g r i e f , p i t y , w i s d o m , a n d s tr e ng t h o f c h a r ac t e r ;
M ar r o ne r ' s h y p o c r i s y
an d
d e c e i t fu l n e s s i n h i s
un c o n c e r n f o r t h e c o n s e qu e nc e s o f h i s
67
M ar ­
and M r.
s e l fi s h
b e h av i o r .
This
s t o r y o f o n e m a n ' s s e x u a l c o n qu e s t a l l o w s t h e r e a d e r t o
s e e p a st t he
m an ' s vi c to r y t o t h e
the t wo w o m en,
l o v e s t o ry ,
b oth
Gerta
s har p
and
M r.
th e
an d hims elf.
M a r ro n e r ' s
Mr
to
he
s e xu a1
inf ant
" 1o v e "
wom en
j o in
f o rc e s
a ga i n s t
in
w h ic h
b ac k o n he r an d
T h e d i s t o rt e d a n d d e l i g h t fu l t wi s t
two
to
l o v e e m b r ac e s
i l l e gi t i m a t e
t h e n t o t u rn h i s
brings
T h is i s al s o a
mat e rnal
M ar ron er ' s
•
h i m t o u s e Ge r t a ,
his child.
tha t
chi l d ,
fo r M r s . M a r r o ne r ' s
c o n t ra s t
c a u se s
t he
h e a r t a c he
he r e i s
t h e m an.
Mrs.
M ar r o n e r i s a q u e e n a m o ng he r o i n e s :
And t h e n ,
se lf ,
fl oo d ,
s we e p i n g o v e r b o t h he r fe e l i ng s fo r h e r-
t h e w i fe ,
a n d G e rt a ,
w h i c h l i t e r a l l y l i f t ed
r o s e a n d w al k e d ,
sin
of
m a n a ga in s t
Whe n Mr.
" c l e an ,
child . "
he r t o
wo m a n, "
she
mo re pur suing
c o m e i n t o th e
S he
is t he
"T h e o f f e n s e
A ga i n s t
h e f in d s t h e b o u s e
w h ol l y vacant"
a f t e r m o n t hs
a t each ing
Final lY
he
fin d s
m aiden n am e and i s
career.
r oo m t o g e t he r to me e t h i m ,
68
(94).
of s e a r c h i n g ,
t h a t s h e h a s r e s u m e d t h e u s e o f he r
o n ce
said.
a ne w
( Lan e 9 4 )
i n p e r f e c t o rd e r ,
w i fe
h e r f e e t.
A g a i n st m o t he r h o o d .
M a r ro n e r r e t ur n s f ro m E ur o p e ,
lo c a t in g h i s
came
h e r h e a d he l d h i g h. " T hi s
i s a g a i n st w o ma nh o o d .
--t he
hi s v i c t i m ,
T h e tw o w o m e n
Ge rta "like a
tall
Mad on na ,
ad o ri ng l y
b ea r i ng a b a b y i n
at M rs .
n o t h i n g b ut
or i n ne r st r e s s" ( 9 6 ) .
w i fe
aske d
Gilman
in
and h i s w i fe ,
M a r r o ne r ,
de f i n i t el y i m p e r s on al ,
qu i e t l y :
e s s e nc e
he r a r ms "
an d l o ok i n g
"calm ,
a cl e a r
s t ea d y ,
pal l o r t o hi n t
"A n d t h e w o m a n w h o h a d b e e n h is
' W h a t h av e y o u t o
a l w ay s
asks
t h at
s ay
to
u s? ' "
qu est i on
(97) ;
of
t he
p a t r i a r ch y .
Whil e
h e r w r i t in g o f t e n
tur n s o f p h r a s e ,
a e st h et i c
rel y u p o n " w it ,
e x p r e s s i o n"
as
De gl e r
ch a r g e s ,
con t r ary
i t i s o f t e n i magi nat i ve ,
c l ev e r t u r n s of p h r a se , a n d r ad i c al
m o st l y e n j o y ab l e
cl e v e r
an d i d e a s " r at h e r t h a n u p on " r h y th m o r
D e g l e r ' s a s s e s s m e nt ,
wit,
does
re a d i n g .
If
id eas
a d ol e s c e n t g i r l s
to
and t he
make
and
it
t e e ns
o f t hi s c en t u r y w e r e i n t r o d u c e d to h e r w o rk , t h e y m ig h t
fi n d a
hea l t hy
w ood 's
e x c e s s i ve
lo ve
and w a r .
b al an c e - - a c o un t e r po i nt - - to
p o r t r a ya l o f t h e m a l e
o ff s et
H o l l y­
obsession w ith
I n " T u r ne d , " a l i t t l e g e m o f i t s o w n k in d ,
d i s t o r t i o n s a n d r e v e r s a l s c o m b i n e t o c r e a t e a p o w e r fu l
e f fe c t o n t h e r e a d e r .
T h e m a n w i t h h i s e m p t y h o u s e an d
e m p t y he a r t u l t i m a t e l y f a c e s t h e un i t e d p ow e r of t h e s e
f e m a l e s h e h a s w r o n g e d a n d i s fo r c e d t o r e c o g n i z e
ow n
i m p o t en c e ,
his
p ow e r l e s sn e s s ,
o f h i s w r o n gd o i n g .
69
to
al t e r
th e
his
res ul t s
So m et i m e s G i l m an c o u n t e rp o i n t s t h e i d y l l i c n o t i o n
p re va l ent
in
so
much
fiction
t hat
a : 1 t o m a t i ca l l y
b r in g h a p p i n e s s w i t h
r ia g e
r e fut e s
whi ch
t h at
l o ve
a
In
idea.
an d
s to r y
T h is y oung
a b o ut
"M ak i ng a
F ra n k a n d J u l i a 3 e n ui n e l y l o v e e a c h o t h e r ,
no t e no ug h f o r h a pp i n e s s .
m a r ri a g e
b ut
a
m a r-
C h an g e "
lo v e is
m o t h e r c a nn o t co p e
w i th he r b ab y an d fin a l l y a t t e m p t s s ui c i d e b u t is s a v e d
j ust i n ti m e by
he r u n d e r s t an d i ng
mo t he r - in - la w .
T he
t w o w o m e n d e c i d e t h a t J u l i a w i l l r e t ur n t o t ea c h i n g m u s i c
a s s h e d i d b e fo r e m a r r i a g e a n d t h at F r a nk ' s m o t he r w i l l
o p e n a " b a b y - g a rd e n " o n t h e r o o f t o c a r e f o r t h e i r b a b y
U n l i k e t h o s e c h a ra c t e r s i n s t o r i e s
a n d fi f t e e n o t h e r s .
w ho
l iv e h a p p i l y e v e r a f t e r
the girl,
caus e
s i m p l y b ec au s e t h e b o y w i n s
t h e s e c h a r a c t e r s liv e h a p p i ly e v e r af ter
bo t h
wom e n
thrive
fin a n c i al l y ,
ph y s i c a l l y ,
be­
a nd
e m o t i o na l l y a s t h e y a r e p a i d f o r d o i ng w o r k t h e y e n j o y
an d
are fi t t ed
for;
F r a nk i s
h a p p y b e c au s e h i s
h o m e ru ns
s m o o t h l y a n d q u i e t l y an d h i s w i f e i s h e r s e l f o n c e m o r e ;
a n d t h e b ab y i s h a p p y
b e c a u se
he
is
b ei n g
c a r ed
f o r in
s o c i a l e n v i r o n m e n t b y so m e o n e w h o i s r e a l l y s u i t e d
a
for
t h e t a sk .
W o m an ' s
a b il i t y
to
i n " A n H o ne st W o m a n . "
s u p p o rt
M rs.
70
he r s el f
Main,
i s a lso
d ep ic t ed
w h o h a d b e en " r u i n e d "
ye a r s
b e fo re
m a na g e s
o w ne r
to
of
an d
do
a
ab an d o n e d ,
q u it e
ho t e l .
we 11
A nn
" G i l m a n ' s an s w e r to
re a r s h e r d a u g h t e r a l on e a n d
fi n a n c i a ll y
J.
Lane
Na t h a n i e l
P ry n ne w h o " g e t s u p " ( x x i ) .
years
e a r l ie r
c e rt a i nt y t h a t
a te l y w il l
Af t e r a l l ,
and
who
hi m
out
had
and
but
lo v e d
his
M a in ,
her
as
f a l l e n H e s te r
w ith
the
smug
h i m s o p a s s i on ­
offer of marriage.
T h e rea d e r
a s e ns e o f s a t i s f ac t i o n a s
s he r e j e c t s h i s b e l a t e d p ro p o sa l .
her,
d e sc r ibe s
i s n ' t t ha t w h at e v e ry w o m a n w a n t s ?
a l o ng w i th M r s .
f e el s ,
r e sp e c t ab le
T h e m a n w h o h a d de c e i ve d h e r
w o m an
now wel c ome
ap t ly
the
H a w t hor n e , " a
re t u r n s d o wn
t hi s
as
H e t hr e a t e n s t o e x pos e
b u t t h e t o w n s p e o p l e a l r e ad y k n o w h e r fo r w h a t s h e
tru ly
is
beca use
b e f o r e th e m .
Mr.
of
t he
e x emp l ary
has
l ived
pa r t s S o u t h .
T h is
l i fe
M a i n th e n l e av e s f o r
s he
s to r y r e f u t e s t h e i d e a s t h a t a w o ma n m u st h av e
o rd e r t o
ma r i t a l
be s u c c es s fu l
fe 1 i c i ty
shou l d
in
l i f e and
be
every
a
ma n i n
d om e st ic
that
wo man ' s
hi g he s t
a nd
am b i­
ti o n .
A d i f f e r e n t ty p e o f
" T h e Ye l lo w W a l l p ap e r , " a
m a le
s t o ry w hi c h m o s t
h a s l i t e ra r y m e ri t a s w e l l
he r p r o t e st at i o n s t h at
w r o n gd o i n g i s
p or t r a y e d
c ri t i c s a g r e e
a s d i d a c t i c ut i l i t y .
th i s s t o r y i s " n o
in
m o re
F o r al l
' l i t er a­
t u r e ' " t h a n h e r o t h e r w o r k ( .b i.Y! .n.B 1 2 1 ) , i t f u l f i l l s t h e
71
r e qu i r e m e n t s
mo v es
t he
e x pe c t ed
rea d er ;
of
the
" go o d "
p lot
l i t e ra t u r e :
is
cogent ly
T he
re a l
a n d a s B e r m an
an d p l au s i b l e ;
s to r y ' s
r i c hn e s s
li e s
e ff ec t
p re s en te d
m o ve s al o ng s y s t e m a t i c al l y b u t s u sp e n se f u l l y ;
t e r s s ee m
the
a nd
the chara c­
notes ,
i t a abi li t y t o y ie l d
in
m u l t i p l e m e an i ng s an d p o i n t s o f v i e w - - p s y c h o l o g ic a l ,
s o c iologic a l,
b o l ic m e a n i n g s
•
•
•
•
t h e d o m e st i c i mp ri s o n m e n t o f
n in ete enth- century
M i t c he l l r e s t c u r e ,
th e
T h e h o u s e h as r i c h s y m ­
his t o r ica l.
r e p r e s s i on
of
wom en,
the
the
bo dy.
h e r i nv o l v e d
re c e i v e s
e x t e n s iv e
e f fe c t i ve
use
of
the
of
the
t h e i s o l a t i o n o f r u r a l A m e ri c a ,
(5 4 )
G i l m a n a l s o u t i l i z e s so m e s o p h is ti c a t e d
par t ic ula r l y
m ad ne s s
empl oym ent
t re a t m ent
na r ra t i ve
in
of d o u b l i ng ,
this
vo ic e ,
l i t e r a r y d e vi c e s ,
st u d y ,
w hi c h
is
whi c h
an d
he r
di s c u s s ed
i n t h e f o l l o wi ng c ha p t e r .
In
th i s
story
G i l m an
i n t ro d u c e s
a
w o m an
w ho
is
e v e n t u a l l y d r iv e n m a d b y a w e l l - m e a n i n g b u t t y r a n n i c a l
hu s b a n d w h o i n s i s t s a n d
be l i ev e s t h a t h e k n ow s b et t e r
tha n s h e w h at i s go o d f o r her .
w i th
i t s p e r h a p s ex a g g e ra t ed
I n re l at i ng t h e
c o n se qu e n c e s ,
s to ry
G i l m an " t ra n s ­
l a t e s t h e g e n e r a l i n t o t h e p a r t i c u l a r , " h o p i n g t ha t h e r
re ad e r s w o ul d g en e r a l i z e a b o u t th e t r e a t m e nt
72
of a l l w o m e n
at
the
han d s
of
brot he rs .
and
r ea c t ing
l iv e s ,
qu ite
se e mingl y
P e r hap s
so
o mnip o tent
m o st
rad i c a l l y
these
a g a in s t
women
the i r
f a th e r s ,
w e re
not
rest ric t ed
b u t m a n y o f t h e m w e r e l i v i n g l iv e s o f q u i e t d e s ­
A l t h o u g h c r i t i c s t e n d t o s t re s s i t s a u t o b i o ­
p e ra t i o n .
g r a p h ic a l a s p e c t s , t h i s s t o r y
As
of
hu s b an d s ,
G a ry
S c ha r n h o r s t
t r a n s c en d s a u t o b i o g r a p h y .
s t r e s se s :
g r a p h i c a l ly m o o r e d ,
"H e r f ic t i o n
w a s au t o b i o -
t ho u g h i t w a s b Y n o m e an s
a u t o b i o g r a ph y " ( 1 4 ) .
lit e ral
In s t ead , G i l ma n at t e m p t ed t o p o r ­
t r a y i n h e r f i c t i o n t h e l i fe o f a l ar g e s e g m e n t
p o pu l a t i on m u c h in
t he w a y t h a t
of
t he
G e o r g e E li o t d e f in e d th e
f u nc t i o n o f a rt :
Ar t i s t h e n e a r e s t th i n g t o l i f e ;
it is a mod e of
a mp l i f y i n g e x p e r i e n c e an d e x te n d i n g o u r c o n t a c t w i t h
o ur
fel l o w- men
lot.
b eY o n d
the
b o u n d s of
o ur
pe rso nal
A l l t he m o r e s a c r e d i s t he t a s k o f t h e a r t i s t
w he n h e
un d e r ta k e s
t o p a in t
th e
l i f e o f th e P e o p l e "
(610).
By p a in t i n g the l i fe o f th e p e opl e as
G i l m a n h o p e d t o b r i n g ab o u t
we re
ne c e s sa ry
if
wom en
t h e c h an g e s
w e re
to
p l a c e s a l o ng s i d e m e n i n t h e w o r l d .
w o ul d
t ak e
t hat
their
Only then,
e i t h e r m e n o r w o m e n e n j o y fu l l ,
73
s h e p e rc ei ve d i t ,
ric h,
s he
fe lt
ri gh tf u l
she
fe l t ,
unb l ight ed
l ives.
In
a t l e as t on e s t o ry ,
" T he Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r , "
s he em p ha s i ze d he r b e l i e f s b y po r t r a y i n g h e r h e r o i n e a s a
g r o t e s qu e ,
a
tact ic
d e s i g n ed
to
sho ck
th e
bl ind
s e e i n g a n d t h e d e a f i n t o h e a r i ng he r m e s s a g e .
i n to
Gi l ma n 's
g r o t e s q u e h e r o i n e i s o b s e r v e d i n t h e fo l l o w i n g c h a p t e r
w h i c h b eg i n s a s t u d y o f " Th e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r"
c o nf i n e s
of
t h e g o th i c
gen r e.
74
w i t h i n t he
CH A P T E R I I I
"THE
YEL L OW
W AL L PA P E R "
T HE
AN D
THE
F E MA L E
GO T H IC :
MY S T E R Y A N D T H E G R O T E S Q U E
"I t s e e m e d ,
s ir ,
a w o m an ,
t a l l an d l a r ge ,
w i t h t h i ck
da rk h a i r h a ngi n g l on g do w n h e r b a c k.
a nd
not
what
s tr a ig h t ;
c annot
from
dress
b ut
tel l
•
had
w h et h e r
•
•
it s p lac e :
and t hen,
s he
•
on:
go w n ,
But
it
sh e e t ,
p re s e nt l y
s h e h el d i t
was
up ,
she
I know
white
or
sh r o ud ,
t oo k
ga ze d
an d
at
s h e t h r e w i t ov e r h e r o w n h e a d ,
my
I
v ei l
it long,
an d tu r n e d
t o t h e m i r r or . "
"
·
•
sir ,
oh ,
•
a d is c o l o u r e d
"S i r ,
it
I n e v e r s a w a f a c e l ik e i t !
It
f ac e - - i t w a s a s a va ge f a c e . "
i t r e m ov e d m y v e i l f r o m i t s g a u n t h e a d ,
in
t wo
t ra mp l e d
was
parts ,
and
f l i n gi n g b o t h
o n t h em . "
on
the
re nt
flo o r ,
- - - C h a r l o t t e B ro n t e
W h e n 11 T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r " w a s p u b l i s h e d i n 1 8 9 2 ,
it wa s r e c e i v e d a s a s t o ry in t he g ot h i c t ra d i t i o n o f P o e
w i th
it s
e l e m en t s o f m y s t e ry ,
75
h o r r or ,
t err or,
a nd
it s
d a m s e l i n d i s t r e s s i m m u r e d w i t hi n a s p a c i o u s o l d h o u s e o n
a n e g l e c t e d c o un t r y e s t a t e .
T o d a y re a d e r s s t i l l e n j oy
t he s to r y ' s go t h i c e l e m e n t s , a n d
s e c re t s
of
n i n e t e e n t h - c e n t u ry
t he
t i e t h - ce n t u ry
r e ad e r s
a s p s y c h o l o gy u n f o l d s
w o m an ' s
p s y c he ,
t w en ­
d i s c o v e r m o r e l a y e r s o f m ea n i n g i n
t h e s t o r y t h a n i t s c o n t e m po r a r i e s p o s s i b l y d r e a m e d o f .
Perhaps
w om en
goth i c
all
h a ve
along,
r ea d e r s a n d
in t ui t ed
for
w r i te rs .
t he
they
m e a ni n g s
hav e
T o w om en
t he
be en
w ithin
its
the
p ri n c i p al
s t o r i e s a r e m or e t h a n
m e r e t h r i l l e r s , f o r t h e c en t r a l p e r s o n i n t h e s t o r y a n d
t h e o n e a t r i s k i s u s ua l l y a w o m a n w h o r e s p o n d s t o h e r
d a n g e r w it h
ni z e
that
fem al e ' s
role s
fo rt i t u d e a n d
fear
dee p
in
a n ge r
wi thin
the
an d
s o c i et y
d e co r u m .
gothic
Crit ics
hides
rese n t me n t
and
that
and
at
the
her
to d ay
r e c o g­
d i s g u i s es
t he
p re d e t e r m i n e d
go t h i c
h e r oi n e ' s
g r e a t e s t un c e r t a i n t y d e r i v e s f r o m t h e d i f f i c u l t y o f r e a l ­
izing
h e r o w n s e l f a n d p r e s e n t i n g he r s e l f s o t h a t o t h e r s
c an a p p r e c i at e he r w h o l e be i ng i n it s e n t i r e t y ,
m e n t i on
her
i n di v i du a l i ty
Gi l m a n
( D e L a mo t te
a d d r e ss e s
1 1 ;9).
n o t to
In "T h e
Y el lo w
Wa l l paper, "
ang er,
r e s e n t m e nt , l a c k o f i n d i v i d ua l i t y - - by e xa m i n i n g
the i r e f f e c t s o n o n e w o m a n ,
who
is
g r a d ua l l y
i s su es - - f e a r ,
t h e n a r r a to r o f h e r s to r y ,
t ransf o r m ed i nto
76
t hes e
a gro te sque by the
g ot h i c e l e m e n t s w i t h i n he r wo r l d .
g o t hi c
Th e
s en t i m e n t a l
HgrJQ�
g en r e
n ov e l ,
s uc h
( 1 7 4 7 - 1 74 8 )
or
r e cogn i z e d
as
Usual l y
r e pr e s e n t s
as
Samue l
F a n ny
the
an
o u t g ro w t h
R i c ha r d s on ' s
of
..C.J..a r .!.§.§.e
B u r n e y ' s �x� ll � �
first
W a l p o l e ' s 1 D� �� §� l � _ Q f _ �! r � �� Q
got h i c
the
( 1 778).
nov el ,
Ho r a c e
( 1 7 6 4 ) w i th it s al m o st
a l l e g o r i c a l fi g u r e s i n v o l v e d i n f a n t a s t i c f e a t s r e s e m ­
b l i n g t h e m e d i e v a l p s y c ho m ac h i a
s u p e r n a t u ra l
i n t o h u m an s ' l i v e s ,
t o i t s l a t e r no n - a l l e g o r i c a l
and i t s i n t ru s i on
t h e got h i c g e n re
fo r m
that
dep en d ed
of the
e v o lv e d
o n h u m an
f o r c e s r a t h e r t h an t h e s u p e r n a t u r a l f o r i t s r e s o l u t i o n .
The
go t h i c
n ov e l
p re se nt e d
w r i t i ng s o f s u c h p e o p l e
C l a ra
R e ev e
ho rror s
Bronte
1818),
t h r o u gh
the
a s M o n k L e w i s (J'f!.il !f .Ql.l.k 1 7 9 6 ) ,
1 777) ,
(.I.h! L .Ol .Q._��g1.1�.h-.B�..r.Q.n
< �r�l.l��E§!��E
E mi ly
i ts
Ma t u r i n
( }l � .!! .b �rj.�_g
M a ry
S h el l e y
< M �lm.Q!b � D� - H ��g�r�r
llil.!.S..b�§
1 847) ,
Ro b er t
1 820 ) ,
Le wis
S t e v e n s o n C l h � - � � ..rgll.B�-..C � § � _ Q J _ � r� J � �xll � �9 .Mr� �xg&
1 88 6 ) ,
an d
t h e n i ne t e e n t h c e nt ur y ,
b y t h e e n d of
J a m es ' s (Ib&_l�rE_.Qf ��.il-��r.il�
P r o b a b l y t h e g o t h i c n ov e l
howe v e r ,
(1794 ) ,
1 89 8 ) ,
t o na m e j us t
He n r y
a few.
th a t i n f l u en c e d t h e ge n r e m o s t ,
w a s A n n R a d c l i f f e ' s I .h � _ M x � 1 � r l� .§ .Q f � g Q l Q D Q
in w h i ch t h e pe r s ec ut e d h e r oi n e E m i l y fa c es h e r
t r i a l s an d
h e r p e r s e c u to r s
c o u r a g e ou s l y .
77
Ele ment s
r o m a nce .
of
t he
set t i ng
cl a ssi c
of
th e
s e v e r a l o f w h i c h o c c u r i n "T h e Y e l l o w
go thi c
Wal lpa­
p e r , " i n v o l v e a h e r o i n e n i n a fo r e i g n l a n d - - i n a r e m o t e
c a s t l e - - s ur r o un d e d
by
vi c e
an d
v i o l e n c e"
( Radc l i f fe
32 9 )
b r a v e l y a t t em p t i n g to l i v e a n o rd i n a r y l i fe u n d e r q u i t e
ext rao rdina ry
br a ve
y o u ng
b e s et
on
c i r c u m s t an c e s.
woman
po s s e s s i n g
She
is
e xe m p l a ry
s id e s b y p e r p l e xi t i e s.
all
an
i nno c ent
m o ra l
but
s t anda r d s ,
is
T h e l ea d in g m al e
u s u a l l y h e r j a i l e r t h o u g h h e o ft e n is o r p r e t e n d s t o b e
her
gua r d i an ,
th e ir
and
if
t he
w o r l d real iz e the
p o we rl e s s to
o t he r
occ upan t s
fre q u en t ing
t h e y a re e i t h e r
h e ro i n e ' s da n g er ,
h e l p h e r o r t h e y a r e p a rt o f t h e
c o n s p i ra c y
T h e j u xt a p o s i t i o n o f th e o rd i n a r y a n d t h e
a ga i n s t h e r .
e x t rao rd i n a r y p ro d u c e s a n au ra o f my st e r y a s t h i s g e n r e
pro b e s
M uch
"the
of
da r k
the
un c e r ta i n t y
aspec ts
m y s t e ry
a b out
who
of
is
the
c r e at e d
ca n
ca us e ,
ai d s
in
the
heroi n e 's
m e t a p ho r fo r h e r
ina b i l i t y
c a st l e o r
s e n se
ed i fi c e 's
to
of
38 ).
h e roi ne' s
b e t r u st ed.
l a r ge
ra m b li ng
h el p l e s s n e s s
be­
s he cann ot s e e m
floor plan
u n d er s t a n d t h e
o f th e m y s t e r i e s sur r o u n di n g h e r .
78
the
c a nnot
a s Gi l b e rt an d G u b a r h a v e n o t e d ,
t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e go t h i c
( M a c An d r e w
by
and w ho
T h e c o m p l e x a r c hi t e c t u r e o f t he
hous e
m in d"
(337 ) ,
a
i n t r i c a ci e s
Sh e fr e qu e nt l y l o se s
h e r s e n s e o f d i r e c t i o n a s s h e g r o p e s h e r w a y t h ro u gh d a rk
h a l l w a y s o r s u bt e r r an e a n t u n n e l s , a n d t h e c o n f i n e s of h e r
o w n b ed r o o m
r om et im es
o f f e r in a d e qua t e p r o t e c t i o n ,
a s in
t h e c a s e o f A n ne R a d c l i f f e ' s E m i l y w h o s e b e d ro o m c o n t a i n s
a
do o r l e a d i n g t o
not l e a d to
sa fet y.
other
of
si de
t u n n e l w hi c h m a y o r m a y
a n u n de r g ro u n d
S in c e i t s ha ndl e a n d
t he d o or ,
it
is
l i ttl e
feels
mo r e d i s t re s s e d
h e r b ed
than
sh e d o e s a t a n y o t h e r t i m e .
he r h o n o r i f i t
fo r m
an d e n d a n ge r e d a t
t r u s t w o r t hy
of a
i s i n qu e s t i o n ,
man
and i t
thi s
w o nd e r t h at
h ero i ne
a r ri ve s i n t h e
lo c k a r e o n t h e
n i gh t
in
He l p u s ua l l y
w h o v i n d ic at es
f r e qu e n tl y i s ,
an d
w h o s av e s h e r p hy s i c al l y fr o m t h e c l ut c he s o f t h e vi l l a i n
whose
t rue
The
na ture is
i s ol a t ed
ex p o se d .
l a n d s ca p e
p at h e t i c f a l l a c y s i gn a l
for
spec i f ic
s cen e s ;
to t h e
storms
peace
or
ha p p i n e s s .
o perating
n atur e
as
re a d e r t h e e m o t i o n s p r o p e r
an d f o g s ,
re p re s e n t a ng e r o r u n c e r t ai n t y ,
sent
an d
fo r exa m p l e ,
and suns h i ne
P e rv a d i n g
the
m ight
m i gh t r e p r e ­
enti re
work,
got h i c
ho w ev e r ,
is
e xp l o r e s
" th e t o r m e n t s o f t h e s u b c o n s c i o u s p r e s s i n g up o n
t he
a
conscious
(M acAndrew
s ense
mind
48-4 9 ).
of
an d
i m p e n di n g
m a k i ng
Fe m a le
a
wr i te rs
pa rti cu l a r ge nre b o th a s a
79
doom
pri son
as
of
the
t he
p robabl y chose
cat ha rsis
to
re l ie v e
s e l f"
this
t he i r
and their read ers'
m i n d s o f t h e p r e s s ur e s o f t h e i r o w n
do m e s t ic
pri sons
p s y c h o l o gi c a l
and
"as
e v i l - - e vi l n o t
b u t a s a d i s t o rt io n ,
5 ) , a s d i d Gi l m a n.
a
veh i c l e
as
for
idea s
a fo r c e e x t e r i o r t o
a w a rp i n g o f h i s m i n d "
was
a
t h e r e ad i n g p u b l i c w a s
And , ind eed ,
s ta p l e
in
li t e r a ry
the
m a n,
( M a c An d r e w
o b v i o us l y f a s c i n ate d b y i t s m y st e r y a n d t e r ro r ,
goth ic
ab o u t
diet
fo r t h e
of bo t h m e n a n d
w o m e n i n t he n i n e t e en t h c e n t u r y .
Although
b o t h s e xe s w r o t e and r e a d go t h i c nov e l s,
t h e g e n r e h a s c o r r e c t l y c o m e t o b e a s s o c i a t e d m o r e w it h
w o m e n' s w r i t i ng a n d r e ad i n g t h a n it h a s w i t h m e n ' s .
In
t he
as
t w en t i e t h
v a ri o us
s to r e s ,
a
few
c e n t u ry
d e rivatives
the
ge n re
pro li fe r a t e
is
in
s t il l
popu lar
s u p e r m a rk e t s ,
a n d a n y w he r e e l s e t h a t w o m e n t en d t o s h o p .
of
c h a nge d
the
c h a ra c t e r is t i c s o f
s o m e w h at ,
t he
major
n o v el
t h e go t h i c
t hemes
still
c en t e r
drug
Whi l e
ha v e
on
a
d i s t r e s s e d b u t br ave h e ro i ne w h o at t e m p t s t o d e t e r m i n e
wh i ch of t h e t w o m e n i n h e r l i fe i s r e al l y t o b e t r u s t e d ,
and
in
so r t .
th e
p ro c es s
s he
e n c o un t e r s
e n t ra p m en t
of
so m e
Cr i t i c s c an o n l y s p e c u l at e a s t o t h e r e a s o n s f o r
w o m en ' s i n t e r e s t i n ,
an d i n s o m e ca s e s p a s s i o n f o r , t h e
g ot h i c .
Ro bi n son
L i l li an
i n t er e s t i s
d ue
s.
t o w o m en ' s
bel ieve s
this
ne ed " t o r e c e i ve
80
c o n ti nu e d
c o n f ir m a t i o n ,
an d
e v e nt ua l l y ,
m o t i v at e s
c i s e ly ,
t h at
an d
a f fi rm a tion ,
j u st i f i e s
" v i c t i m i z at i o n
ju s t i f ie d .
c i al ly
w o m an ' s
Yet ,
life"
reall y
( 2 21 ).
by
L ove "
t h e ve ry fac t
h o u s e w i ve s ,
use
( A d r i en ne
that
so
m an y
R ic h
p re­
m a y n o t b e e n o u gh
h ow e v e r , e n c o m p a s s e s m o r e th a n s o - ca l l e d
wri t e rs
such a s
D o r i s L e s si n g h a v e a l s o w r i t t e n
19)
wo men ,
t h e b a s i c h u m a n n e e d f o r s e l f - fu l f i l l m e n t .
S e ri o us
Mo r e
t h e go t h i c a s e s c a p i s t
in d i c a t e s t h a t lov e a l o n e
at u re .
i s w ha t
i t m ay b e t hat the y n e e d conf i r m a t i o n
ho w e ve r ,
t he i r
a
t ha t l o v e
e s pe­
rea d i n g
to satisfy
T h e got h i c ,
" t r a s hY " l i t e r -
Fl an ne r y O ' Co nn o r
in th i s ge n r e ,
W i l t o b s e r v e s t h a t t h is " c l a s s i c "
is
g ot h i c
and
a n d Ju di t h
serves t o
re ­
s t o r e o r d e r , a n o b s e rv a t i o n w h i c h sh e m ak e s i n r e s p o n s e
t o D.
H.
La w r en c e ' s e xp l a n a t i o n th at
were
doom ed
eg o ,
to
a bi d e
be
by
li m i t s "
b e ca u se
" o ne
( L a w ren ce
Go thic,
co r r e s p on d en c e ,
(2 3 ) .
and
wi th
o rt h o d o x
to
t ra n q ui l i z e
be ing.
r ea d e r
81
the
al t e r
E a ch
m u st
w i th in
Wilt
ce rt ain
o bs e rv e s
that
b el i e v e s
subl i m e ,
in
s t r i v e s a ga i n s t l i m i t s "
b et w e en t h e s e
s t a t i n g t h a t t he fo r m e r
the
U s h e r t wi n s
s u b s u me
only
fu r t he r ,
b e l ie v e s i n l o v e ,
by
to
a n o t he r
co r re s p o n d
344 ) ;
the
a t te m p t ed
F le en o r d i s t i n gu i s h es
t i o n s o f go t h i c
said
thing
itself,
" [ c ] l assic
the y
Poe's
while
t w o v a r i a­
t y p e m i ght
th e l a tt e r ,
be
"repre-
se nti ng
the
un c o n s c i o u s , "
re a s s e r t i n g t h e
go t hi c ,
t he
ab s o l u t e "
res tores
(4 ) .
S inc e
s o - c a ll e d " t ra s h y "
p o p u l a r w .i t h
w o m en
d u r in g t h e
an d
mu st
ps ych e s
th e
be
both
w i t hi n t h e
no t
in
so c ie ty a r e
ge n r e
r es p o nsi b le
specifical l y
pe r t i n e n t ,
s t ate
that
g o t h i c s p a c e w i t h in s o c i e t y ,
fo r e x a m p l e ,
t h e mu lt i p l e
"by
va r i at i o n s
an d
of
w e re
n i n e t e e nt h
s o me b a s i c a nd com mon
and
w it hin
s ti m u l u s
Gi l m a n ' s a s t u t e o b s e rv a t i o n s a b o u t t h e
o c cu p y
r ead er
c la s si c ,
the
e i gh t e en t h
c e n t ur i e s a n d c o n t i n u e s o t o d a y ,
e l e m e n t s o pe rat ion al
th e
fo r
wo men
s pac e
or
w o m en ' s
sti mul i .
wh ic h
wom e n
al t h o u g h G i l m a n
act u al l y
o ccupy
h e r w o rk s i m p l y a s m u c h ,
wo m e n i m p ri s o n e d
di d
a
a s,
w i t h i n t he
y e l l o w w a l l p ap e r .
G i l m an o n c e n o t e d t h a t o n e r e s u l t
of
m ale d o m i n an c e
ov e r w o m a n f o r c e s h e r t o o c c u p y t he " p l a c e o f a p re p o si t i o n i n
S h e h a s b e en
re l a t i o n t o m a n .
h i m or b e l o w hi m , b e f o re hi m ,
w ho l l y
relative
m o t he r ' - - b u t
c o n s i d e re d a b o v e
b ehin d h i m , b es i de h i m , a
e x i s t en c e - - ' S y n de y' s
ne v e r b y a n y c h a n c e
siste r, '
' P e m b rok e ' s
S y d ne y o r P e m b r o ke
po si-
se l f"
W o m an's
t i o n i n t h e w o r l d i s fa i r l y
ob v i ous l y o n e m a j o r fa c to r
of t e n p u s h i n g
he r int o
t u re an d i n r e a l l i fe .
pr epo sit ional
he r -
g o t h i c s i t u a t i on s b o t h i n l i t e ra V irgi nia W o o l f dec l a r e d that
82
a
w o man n ee d s a ro o m of he r o w n ; to o o f t e n, t h o u g h , wo m en' s
roo m s c o m e furn ish ed
Con s i d e r ,
to w e r ,
w i t h m e t a ph o r i c a l
fo r e x a m p l e ,
S h ak e s p e a re
c o nf i n e s ,
A n t i go ne ' s c a v e ,
F l e t c h e r 's
and
R a dc l i ffe 's
y e l l ow w al lp ap e r .
Emily's
D an ae 's
j ai l er' s
uns ecur ed
br o n z e
d au g h t e r ' s
room ,
Le s si n g ' s
pr o t a g o ni s t ' s R o o m 2 1 9 ,
an d , o f c o u r s e , G i l m an ' s n a r r a ­
to r ' s
room .
upstairs
nur s e ry
T he
ad a g e
that
t rut h
g iven t h e
s o m e t i m e s s t r a n g e r t ha n fi c t i o n g ai n s c re d e n c e ,
ph e n o m e n o n o f t he ch r o n i c i n v a l i d i s m of s o m an y
wo m e n
fo r
in
t he
exa m pl e ,
n i n et e en t h
F l o r en e e
c en t u r y .
is
t al e n t e d
N i g h t i n g al e ,
c a m e h o m e f r o m t h e t ra g i c an d fu t i l e
w a r in
t h e C r i m e a w h e r e s h e ha d i n v e nt e d nu r s i n g a n d t o o k to h e r
b ed f o r t w e nt y- f i v e ye ar s ;
and Alic e Ja mes ,
a w r i t e r who
l ive d i n t he
s ha d o w o f h e r
f a m o u s b r o t he r s ,
w a s a n i n va­
l id ,
E l izab eth
as
was
re s c u e d
Gil man
soned
her
fro m
d i a gn o s i s
a
R o b ert
f at h e r .
we r e
or
got hic
l i te r a l l y
space
of
one
Browning
T he s e w o m e n ,
f i gu r a t i v e l y
so rt
or
imp ri­
anot he r .
a n d p r o gn o s i s h a d a s e l f - fu l f il l i n g e f f e c t .
d o u bt t h e g ot h i c
r e a d e r s l .i v e
R o b i n s on
b e fo r e
he r t y r ann i ca l
in cl u ded ,
in
Barret t
in
in a l l
the i r
s p e c u l at e s ,
i ts
own
fo r m s i s
p r i v a te
nee d a
83
No
p o pu l a r b e c a us e i t s
i m pr is onm ents
j u s t i fi c a t i on
l i ve s a n d c o n t i n ue d e xi s t e n c e ,
T he
fo r
and,
as
t he i r p a s t
e s p e ci a l l y i f t he y p e r-
c e ive
not
t h e m se l v e s
as
In
in
t h ei r
rel a ti o nal
p o si t i o n s
and
i n di v i du a l s.
h er
book
Fl e e n o r
give s
w o m e n' s
go t h i c :
It
only
is
e n t i t l e d Ib�-l�mA1§_Qgth!� .
excellent
an
summ ary
e s s e n t i a l l y fo r m l es s ,
Ju l i a n n
d e s c rip t i on
of
e xc e p t a s a q u e s t ;
it
u s e s t h e t r a d i t i on a l s p a t i a l s ym b o l i s m o f t h e r u i n e d
ca st l e
or
an enclo sed
room
to
s y m bo l iz e b o t h t h e
a s a p s y c h o l o g i c al
c u l t u re a n d t h e he ro i n e ;
p r ov o k e s v a r i o u s f e e l i n g s o f t e r r o r ,
ang e r ,
fo r m ,
a w e,
it
an d
so m e t i m e s s e l f - f e a r a n d s e l f - d i s g u s t d i r e c t e d to w ar d
t he
f e m al e
r ol e ,
f e mal e
p r o c re at i o n ;
s exua lity ,
p h y s i. o l o g y ,
an d
a n a r ra t i v e
f o r m w h i c h q u e s t i o n s t h e v a l i d i t y o f th e
n a r r a t i v e i ts e l f .
d igm
and
it
female
f re q u e n t l y
uses
I t r e f l e c t s a pat ri a r c h a l pa r a­
t h a t w o m e n a r e m o t he rl e s s ,
ye t fa t h e r ed ,
and
t h a t w o m e n a r e d e fe c t i v e b e c au s e t h e y a r e n o t m a l e s .
(15)
"T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r "
poin t s t o
and
in
fu l f i l l s e a c h o f F l e e n o r ' s f i ve
q u a l i f y i t a s a n e xa m p l e o f t he
t h :i.s
chap t er
and
the
n e xt
F le e n o r ' s
F e m a l e G o t h ic ,
d e f in i t i o n
of
F e m a l e G o t h i c w i l l b e u s e d a s a l o o s e f r a m e w o rk t o d i s ­
cuss
"T h e
Yellow
Wal l p a p e r"
as
84
an
exa mp l e
of
t h a t ge n r e .
T h e u n n a m e d he r o i n e
al l
i n t h e s t o ry o c c u p i e s , n o t a t
an u p s t a i r s r o o m p a p e r e d
wi l l ingly,
w i th h i d e ous
ye l lo w w a l l p a p e r , a r o o m t h a t she t h in k s o n c e s e r v e d as a
nu rs e ry ,
and
fo r t h e w in do w s a r e
t h i n g E� i n
( G i l m a n " T YW " 1 2 ) .
T hi s
ro o m
ma n s i. o n ,
rom an t i c
a h e redi t ary e s t a t e "
i t " a h a u n t e d h o us e ,
li k e t o ca l l
f e l i c i t y - - b ut
that
(9 ) ;
t h e h e r o in e wo u l d
an d re a c h t h e h ei g h t o f
would
be
asking t oo
m u ch
a l l o w s uc h n o n s e n s e ,
f o r h e " i s pr a c t i c a l
in
the
e xt r e m e "
a n d " s c o ff s o p e n l y a t an y t a l k o f t h i n g s no t t o b e
s een
al e rt e d
and
put
re ad e r s
q u e e r"
about
op i n io n ( 9 ) ,
do wn
to
the
in
t he
f i g u r es "
fa c t
hou se,
t h at
and
si o n
the
Jo h n
t h e r e a d e r s u s p e c t s t h at
s t<> ry ,
of
(9).
t he re
si nc e
m e n t s w i l l p r ov e h e r t o b e r i g h t .
go t h i c
of
I t w oul d a ls o b e a s k i n g t o o m u c h o f J o h n t o
f a te ! " ( 9 ) .
and
is
w i t h i n i s o l a t e d " an c e st r a l ha l l s , " " [ a ] c o l o ­
si t u a t e d
ni a l
the walls"
b a r re d a n d "t h e r e a r e r i n g s
t he
l a n d sc a p i n g
cas tl e
ad d s
to
is
she
has
" s o m et h i n g
l a u gh s
at
he r
fu rt h e r d e v e l o p ­
L ike t he t r a di t i on a l
su r r o u n d i n g
its
S in c e
fe l t
m y s t e ry
Gi l m an ' s
and
v e r­
sense
of
iso l at ion :
T he
most
bea u t i fu l
plac e !
s t a n d i n g w e l l b a ck f r o m t h e
fro m
the
v i l l a g e.
It
85
It
ro a d ,
m ak e s
me
is
qui te
alone,
q u i t e t h ree mi l e s
think
of
English
T he
of
places
t h a t yo u re a d
wal l s
and
l i t tl e
h o u s es
g at e s
abou t ,
that
for
fo r t h e r e a r e h ed g e s a n d
lock,
an d
th e ga r d e n e rs
lo t s
and
a r b ors
s c e ne
with
is
se at s
ad d ed
g re e nh o us H s
a n d l ined
path s ,
und e r
an
the m"
elem e nt
a r e n o w b r ok e n ,
of
with
s ep arat e
people.
ga rd e n i ts e l f i s d e s c r i b e d a s " l ar g e
b o x - b o rd e r e d
of
(11)
shady,
and
fu l l
l o n g g r a p e - c ov e r e d
(1 1 ).
To
decay
a nd
thi s
p e ac e f ul
m ys t e ry :
t he
" l e g a l t r ou b l e " b e t w e e n
and
" h e i r s a n d c o h e i r s " h a s r e s ul t e d i n t h e h o u s e r e m a i n i n g
T h e n a r r a t o r r eg r e t s
" e m pt y f o r ye a rs " ( 1 1 ) .
p l a n a t i on
f o r t h e h o u s e h a v i n g b e en e m p t y f o r s o l o n g ,
i t " s po i l s
a g o t hi c
[her ]
g h o s t l i ne s s"
br eat h ,
ab out
go t h i c
t he
h o u se - -I
can
m y st e r io u s ne s s
th e r e
the
r ea d e r s e n s e s
t h e e n v ir o n s
of
the
ho u se
c a r e - - t h e r e i s s om e t h i n g s t ra ng e
fee1
it "
win dow
a nd
once
a g ain
J ohn ' s
p ro c 1 a m a t i o n
t ha t
i s a "g.r.£l.Y.S.h.t " a s h e e m p h a t i c a l l y
fails
is no m yste ry.
(1 1 ) ,
w h et s t h e r e ad e r ' s a p p e t i t e f o r
F u r t he r m o re ,
w ha t s he a c tu a l l y f e e l s
c loses
as
T h e n ar r a to r h a st e n s t o d e c l a r e i n t h e
"I d o n ' t
fu r t he r d e t a i l s .
b ut t he
(1 1),
m ys t e r i o u s n e s s w i t hi n
a n d i t s p re m i s e s .
next
t h i s e x­
to
c onvi nce
Q u it e the
t he
co n t r a r y ,
re ad e r
in fact ,
t hat
for
t h i s a c t i o n d i r e c t s t h e r e a d e r ' s a t t e n t i o n n1 0 r e c l o s e l y
t o J o h n ' s c h a r a c t e r a n d i n t e n t i o n s.
86
T h e n a r ra to r ' s e a r l i e r s t a te m e nt s co n ce rn i n g Jo h n
t h e n b e g i n t o t ak e o n m o r e s i n i s t e r c o n n o t a t i o n s :
p ra c t i c a l
wi fe ,
p h ys i c i a n- h u s b a n d ,
la ughs
e v e ry o n e
she
"te mporary
t e nd e nc y"
at
her
is
not
n er v o u s
( 1 0),
id e a s ,
he
may
trat ions
l i ne s
be
m ay
ill
b ut
d e p re s s i o n - - a
an d
gu a r d i a n
forbi d s he r to
re a l ly
appe ar s
to
of
w o rk ,
s uf f e r s
to
d eprive
v ill ain;
his
sol i c it o us
fr e e
or
m ay
entrap
her
the
t h ey
�� o n d i t i o n "
w i n do w - c l o si n g s c e ne
( 1 1 ) .
Her
a nd
that
p art
" to th i n k a b ou t
the
myst ery
and
of
o f this
[ he r ]
co n f i r m
s u s pi c i o n
T he
the
to t h i s
that
Jo h n
m ak e s he r "v e r y
s e l f - co n t r o l m e an s
r e fu s i n g
( 1 0 ) on ly a d d t o
c on d i t i o n"
the
min is­
expres s
info r m at i o n
st re s se s a "p r o p e r s e l f - c o n t ro l " w h i c h
t i re d "
f rom
her
he r.
n a r ra t o r ' s an ge r a t J o h n a n d he r s e n s i t iv i t y " d u e
ne rvo u s
tel ls
only
a gothic
foll owing
ill
h y st e r i c a l
s li gh t
act
his
H e m a y , t h e n , b e a l o v i n g h u s b an d
i n d ep e n d e: n t t h o u g h t .
or
lo ving
thi s
that
som e t h i n g i s
aw r y .
Fleenor's
d e s cr ip t i o n
f o r m l e s s ,.
except
Told
na r r a t i ve
d ia ry
as
a
as
a
of
que st , "
e n t e r ed
( for J o hn "hat es
the
g o th i c
as
"essenti a l l y
applies
to
th i s
sur r e p t i t i o us l y
to h ave m e w r i t e a
87
story.
in t o
w o rd"
her
[ 13]),
t he s t o ry ' s f o r m i s t h a t o f s h o r t ,
o f t e n o n e- l i n e p a r a ­
graph s w hi c h m u s t d e n o t e t he n a r r a to r ' s
m en t a ti on
in
he r
s e a r ch
l ay i n g o u t o f p l o t ;
fo r
r at h e r ,
self.
w h at
fe e l i n g s o f f ra g­
There
i s no
pl o t t h e r e i s un f o l d s
g r a d u a l l y a n d t h e r e a d e r i s n o t a t f i r s t c e r t a in
a plot .
T he
s to r y a p p e a r s t o b e a r at he r
l o g u e d i r Ej C t e d
by t h e
n a r ra t o r
an d t h e d i a r y p r o g r e s s ,
to
o bv i o u s
the r e i s
ra m b l i n g m o n o ­
but
her di ary ,
as ti m e
t h e re a d e r re a l i z e s t h a t a p l o t
t o d r iv e t h e n a r ra to r m a d d o e s e x i s t ,
t h o u gh
t he p a rt i c i ­
p a nt s d o n o t
s e e m aw a r e o f i t .
d uc e d to the
r e a d e r o n l y t h r o u gh t h e n a r r a t o r ' s i m p r e s ­
T h e c h a ra ct e r s a r e i n t r o ­
s i o n s o f t h e m : t h e y c on s i s t o f t h e n a r r a t or ,
c i a n - h u s band
ho us e ,
the
to
Jo h n ,
his
si s t e r J e n n i e
an d M a r y t he nu rs e .
he roin e ,
view
E u g e ni a
the
na r ra t o r ,
eve rything
in
Del a m o t t e w ri t es
w ho
he r phys i ­
o ve r s e e s t h e
G i l m a n c re a t e s s y m p at hy f o r
s i m p l y b y e na b l in g
the
t h r ou g h
s t o ry
that
th e
re a de r
he r
e ye s.
" T h e Y e l lo w W a l l pa pe r"
e x p l a i n s w hy w o m e n ha v e t o i n v e n t m y s t e r i e s - - b o t h
m y s t l:l r y
s to r i e s
an d
m ys t e r i e s
of
domestic
science.
I t i s about t h e w a y s t h o s e t w o m y s t e r i es a r e re l at e d
t o e a ch
o t h e r in
the nar rato r's
l i fe ,
a n d the w ay
bo t h a re r e l at e d t o he r s e n s e t h a t s he h e rs e l f i s a
m y st e r y :
to
h e r h u s b a n d a n d h e r s e l f. "
88
(4)
S o c i e t y ba s
le ss
n ar rato r' s
is
she
de t e r m i n i s t i c a l l y
m 1� r e l y
i d e nt i t y
John's
p r e - p o s i t i on e d
a s t h at
w ife
of
and
her
wife
th i s
an d
so n' s
name­
mot her :
mother,
two
" p r e p o s i t i on a l " r e l a t i o n s h i p s w h i c h G i l m a n s u g g e s t s i n
A s a n indi v i d u a l , h owe v e r ,
.l'b .!L M � ..D = M �.9 .&_ .H .Q.r .J, ..Q. .
c e rt ai n l y a m y s t e r y to
d ual i t y ,
se lf.
and s he
J oh n ,
w h o d i s co u ra g e s
s h e is
he r i n d i v i­
d o e s n o t ap pe a r t o u n d e r s t a n d he r o w n
A s s h e s i t s w it h i n he r n u r s e r y r o o m w r i t i n g
ent r i e s w hi c h
d iary
e xp l o r e h e r si t u a t i o n an d h e r m i n d ,
the
am b i gu i t y s h e c r e a t e s r e fl e c t s h e r o w n s c h i zo p h r e ni c v i e w
of h e rs e l f.
Sh e d o e s r e c o g n i z e
h e r s el f a s J o h n ' s s u b­
m i s s i v e w i f e a n d he r b ab y ' s l o vi n g m o t h e r ,
a n i n n e r a n ge r t o w ar d
and her
then,
John,
not
en t i r e l y s u b co n s c i o u s l y ,
t h ou g h t s s e l d o m i n c l ud e
r e p r e s e nt s
the
na r r a t o r ' s
b u t s he n u r se s
her
ba b y .
q ue s t
for
Thi s
her
sto r y ,
id e n ­
o wn
ti t y .
O b v i o u sl y ,
p ar t
o f h e r in n e r se l f h a s a l r ea d y r e c o g ­
n i z e d t he d a n g e r o f l o s i ng i t s o w n i d e n t i t y i f s h e
su mes
t h e fu l l
as­
re s p o ns i b i l i t y fo r t h e c o n s t a n t d e m an d s o f
her c h i l d i n a d dit i o n t o t h e c o st t o he r s e l f wh ich h e r
s u bm i s s i o n
e xa c te d.
be
to
Sh e
an
au t h o r i t a t i ve
p ro b ab l y
bo t h J o hn ' s
ha s
also
gua r d i an
r e al i z e d t h a t
ch i 1 d a n d h e r b a b y ' s
89
has
m o t h er.
a l rea d y
s he
c annot
Fle enor ' s
fou r t h
po i n t
s t ru ct ure
t ha t
which
go t h i c
" by
its
writ e rs
n at u r e
un d e r n:; i ne s
is a p p r o p r i a te to t h i s st o r y at
fu r t h e r
t h at
"the
s t r uggl e
c ho o s e
a
n a r ra t i ve
its
this p o int .
with
t he
va l i d i t y "
S he st a t e s
a b so l u t e
is
so
n a r ra t i o n m u s t b e q u e s t i on a b l e .
t h r e a t e n in g t h a t e v e n t h e
T h i s t en s i o n b e t w e e n re a l i t y a n d a p p e a r an c e i s an o t he r
exa m p le
of
the
ch ar a c t e r is t i c
[ s i c ] a n d i n p a r t i c ul a r ,
more,
an d
she
by
the
per , ' an d
( 12 ).
T he
t he F e m a l e G o t h i c . "
by
s y m bo l i ze d
g r o t e s qu e b ei n g s
the
d e fo r me d
a m b i v a l e n ce
b y t he
b eh in d
d warve s
in
red
move ,
J o hn has
in
Gil m a n's
at t e mp ts
i m p ri s o n ed
ev en
conde s ce nd i n g a n d
t re a t s
he r l i k e
d e vo t e d
wel l.
Go t h i c ,
F ur t h e r­
to
' G o b l in
w i fe ,
d i c t at e
he r
hu s ba n d w h o
wh il e
on ly w an t s his
eve ry
no t
90
though t ,
is
ge n e ra l
a p p e a r a n ce o f a
b e l o ve d
wife to b e
w e l l ne s s i s
an in di v i d ua l i z e d p e r s o n .
T h e n a r r a to r ' s s e l f - fe a r a n d s e l f - d i s gu s t a re
t he conf l i c t c r e a t e d b y t he
h e r e v e ry
and in
is t hat h i s d efinit ion o f
a wi f e wh o i s h i s p u p p e t ,
creats
T he rea l i t y i s
di c t a t e s
gi v i n g t he
W a l l p a­
M a rk e t ' "
n a r ra t i on
p a t ro ni z in g t o w a r d h e r ,
a c h il d
T he p ro b l em
his
i n _.!l g _g�
ro o m
'T he Y e l low
t e n s i o n b e t w e e n re a l i t y an d a p p e a r a n c e .
that
of the
a r gu e s t h a t t hi s t e n s i on " p ro d u c e s s el f- f e a r
s e l f - d i s g u st ,
�.Y..r� ·
t e n si o n s
desi re
p ro d u c e d b y
to be h e r ow n p e r-
s on ;
and t hi s
d e s i r e en g e n d e r s
gu il t b e c a u s e
c o n d i t i o ne d h e r t o b e l i e v e t h a t s h e m u s t b e
s o c i e t y h as
s u b m i s s iv e to
J o h n a n d , t h e r e f o r e , t h a t s h e m u s t n o t w i s h to b e h e r o w n
P e r h a p s i f J o h n w e r e o v e r t ly c r u e l t o h e r p hy s i ­
p e r s o n.
c a ll y ,
he r f e e l i n g s of gui l t
in
mind,
he r
ke ep s
m igh t
not
be
at o p po sin g h i m ,
so
great ,
but
as
r e a s s ur i n g he r s e l f t h a t J o h n l o v e s h e r .
i s un ce r t a i n
ab o u t t h e
truth
of
J ohn ' s
i f on l y
it
is
The
she
re a de r
l o v e b e c au s e
on l y
t h e n a r ra t o r p r e s e nt s a v i e w p o i n t a n d i t f r e qu e n t l y a p ­
p e a r s c o n t ra d i c to r y .
T h e re a d e r ,
t he r e fo re ,
c a rr ie s
b ur d e n o f d e c i d i n g t h e n a r r a t i v e ' s c r e d i b i l i t y .
s to r y
p ro g r e ss e s ,
however,
t he
As the
t h e r e a d e r b e c o m e s mo r e a w a r e
t h a t t h e n a r ra t o r i s l o s i n g h e r g r i p o n h e r f o r m e r r e a l i ­
t y a n d i s be i n g i l l u m i n a t e d by a n o t h e r r e a l i t y .
T hi s n e w
e xi s t e n c e w i l l c o n s u m e h e r u n t i l sh e e m e r g e s a g ro t es q u e .
Gi l m a n
s k i l l fu l ly
i l l u st rate
th e
gr o t e s q u e .
As
the
n a r ra to r
t h e n a w om a n w i t h w h om
e m p h as i z e s
ment
devel o p m ent
of
writing,
t he
of
n ar r a t i v e
the
voic e
na r ra t o r
g ra d u a l l y
to
as
d e sc e n d s
a
i n to
s h e d e t e c t s i n t h e w a l l p a p e r f i rs t e y e s , t h e n
m ad n e s s ,
women ,
e m pl oy s
s he i d e n t i f i e s .
J o h n ' s p a t r i a r c h a l c o n d es c e ns i o n
his
s he
w i fe .
wri tes
Be c a u s e
he
sta unchly
cl a n d e s t i n e l y .
91
T he
sto ry
in his t reat­
fo r b i d s
he r
H e r d i a r y e nt r i e s
t ra c e h e r i l l n e s s f r o m i t s e a r l i e s t sy m p t o m s t o i t s f u l l y
d eg e n e r a t o d
T his
st a t e .
st o r y ,
how eve r,
fi r s t - p e r s o n n a r r a t iv e ;
l ogue
as
in
she
p ro s e.
To l d
s u r re p t i t i o u s l y
aw a r e o f t h e s p e ak e r ,
is
fi t t i n g
"dead
it is,
in
t h at
pa per"
in
( 10)
m u c h m or e t han
is
t he
i n fact ,
na r r a t o r ' s
pe ns
t h em ,
t h e s e t t in g,
thi s
up o n
a
in st an ce
w hic h
she
t he
and
t he
a simple
d ra m a t i c m o n o words
t h r o u gh o u t
re ad e r
t he
is
au di t o r .
a udi t o r
writes;
m ad e
she
It
is
t he
does
not
e x p e c t t o b e re a d a n y m o r e t h an she e x p e c t s t o b e h e ar d.
L i ke
dr a ma t i c
B r o w n i r, g ' s
m on ol o gu es ,
Gil man's
p l a c e s t h e re a d e r w it h i n t he n a r r a t o r ' s m i n d ,
e x p e r i en c e t h e
serve
to
th ere to
a s t h e n a r ra t o r e x p e r i e n ce s i t .
wo r l d
deta i l s w h i ch G i l ma n
d iv u l ge
s to ry
cho ose s
i l l um i n a t e
T he
t o a l l o w t h e n a r r a to r to
t he
ent ire
si t u a t i o n
w i th i n
w h i c h s h e a c t s a n d re a c t s t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t t h e r e a d er
is
a b le
to
gr a s p
not
o n l y t h e n a r ra t o r ' s
s u b j e c t ive
vi e w
b u t a l s o m a n y t r ut h s o f t h e e n t i r e s i t u a t i o n t h a t m a y n o t
be
ev i d e n t
to
t h e na r ra t o r ' s
c o n s c i ou s m i n d .
F o r ,e x a m p l e , l a t e i n t h e s t o r y t h e n a r r a t o r b e g i n s
t o t h i n k " J o h n i s b e gi n ni n g t o n o t i c e " ( G i l m a n 3 1 ) t ha t
t h e p a p e r i s be i n g
" l i ke
the lo ok
s t ri p p e d f r o m t h e w al l .
in his
She does not
e y e s , " an d sh e h as " h e a r d h i m a s k
92
Je n n i e
a
l ot
of
p ro f e s s i on a l
q u e s t i on s . "
He r
con clu sion
by t he
is t h at "Jo h n a n d J en n i e a re s e c r e t l y a f fe ct e d"
p a pe r ,
w h ile
however,
w ith
it "on l y i n t e res t s"
T he reade r ,
her ( 3 2).
e a n vi s u a l i z e h us b a n d a n d s i s t e r - i n - l aw
l o ok i n g
a s t on i s h m e n t a t t h e m u t i l a t e d w a l l s a n d w i t h ho r r or
a n d f e a r at t h e n a r r a t o r w h o s e e m i n g l y d o e s n o t re a l i z e
t hat
s uc h
a p p a r en t ;
affec ts
ch a n g e
t he
th e m ,
m u c h t he
in
re a d e r
no t
the
Lo v e r"
or
"In
t he
t h i n k s fo J�
o n e is
will
her
be
i m me d ia te l y
s t r ange
T his
b e h a v io r
s to ry p r o d u c e s
l i st e n e r a s B ro w ni n g ' s
Lab ora tory"
w hi ch
b e gi n
"P o r ­
i n n o­
a l e rt t h e re a d e r th rou g h s m a l l
a bo u t to unfo l d .
s o m e h or ro r i s
I n re a d i n g t he
t w o v o i c e :s :
t h at
the wal l p ape r.
e n o ug h b u t s o o n
det a i l s that
walls
kn o w s
B am e e f f e c t o n t he
phyria's
cent ly
a
s to r y a l o u d ,
a r e a d e r c a n d i s t i n gu i s h
th a t o f a m o r e inde pe n de n t w om a n w ho
he rse l f ,
a n d t he
o t he r i s
si m p l y t h a t o f t h e
w i f e w h o r e f l e c t s h e r h u s ba n d ' s i d e a s .
S ev e r al c r i t i c s
h av e c o m m e n t e d o n t h e s e t w o v o i c e s .
A v D r u d e D a a e v on
de r
p u zz l es
Fe h r
i n t ui t s
tw o
voi c es
and
s p l i t t i n g o f t h e e go i n t o t he n a r r a t i n g a n d t h e
(5 1 )
•
R i c h ar d
Fel d st ein
r e c o gn i z e s
t wo
ov e r
the
n a r r at e d
vo i ce s
as
he
d i s t i n gu iB h e s b e t w ee n
t h e p r o t a go ni s t w h o
s t o ps
93
w rit ing in h e r j o urn a l
an d
the
nar ra t o r
w ho
p r o du c e s
th a t
j ou r n a l.
•
•
.
C o u l d i t b e p o s s i b l e t h a t G i l m a n i n t en d e d t h e n a r r a ­
t or
to
be
p r o t a go n i s t ,
be
the
[ si c ]
D ia na
and
and di f f e r e n t f ro m t h e
j u s t a s s h e b e l i e v e s t h e p r o t a go ni s t t o
sam e
as
and
d i f f e r en t
dou ble ( s )
from
her
"th e
pe rsona
(276-78)
•
P rice
Herndl
fr o m t h e woma n in
per"
t h e s a m e as
bo th
concludes
o p e n t h e q u e st i o n o f
no t ic e s
t hat
s h i f ts
the r o o m to t he wo m a n i n t he w a l l pathat
the
" fin a l
w h e t he r w e
a re
s c en e
l eave s
•
r e a d i n g a m a d wo m an ' s
t e x t , a s a n e w o m an ' s p o s t - fa c to d e s c r i p t i o n o f m a d n e s s ,
or
a n i m p o s s i bl e t e xt ,
w r it ten"
Y e l l c, w
l i gh t
G o l d e n' s
a rt i c l e
o n t he
t w o n a r r a t i ve v o i c e s.
p a li m p s e s t i c ,
ti o n s
d ra m at i c
an d
c re e p i n g o n t he
a u d i e nc e
of
bet w e en t he
the
her
one in
ac t i o n s
hav e b e e n
" T he
of
W r i t i n g of
s he d s
mo r e
S h e p e r ce iv e s
this
w h i c h t he " h a l l ucina­
t e a r ing
th e
wal l pape r
fl o o r co m p r i s e t h e d o m in a n t t e x t ,
w r i t i n g com pr is e s the
ho w
e n t i tl e d
A D o ub l e P a l i m p s e s t "
W a l l pa p e r ' :
s t o ry a s
sh o w s
nev er
(73).
C a t h er i n e
' T he
o n e t hat cou l d
se c o n d m u t e d t e x t ,
n a r rator
sto r y"
f i c t i on a l i ze s
( 1 93).
Gol de n
ma d n e s s o f t he n ar r ato r ' s
94
b u t t he
[ w hich ]
•
herself
m ak e s
an d
as
t he
d i s ti n c t i o n s
act ions a s
c on s t i-
t u t i n g t h e�
d o m in a n t
te xt
whi l e
t he n a r r a to r' s
f i c t i on al ­
i z e d i m a g ,e o f h e r s e l f a s t h e a u d i t o r o f h e r d i a r y m a k e s
up
t he
t h at
mute d
text.
F u rt he r m o r e ,
J e f fr e y
B e rm a n
no t i c e s
at
t h e b eg i n n i n g o f
a ut ho r
t he
t h e na r ra t o r an d t he
story,
i n d i s t i n g u i s h ab l e ,
a re
b e c o m e s t e r m i na l l y in s an e ,
but
as
t he
fo r m e r
t h e l a t t er r e m a i n s f i r m l y
i n c o n t r o l o f t he n a r ra ti ve , al l o w i n g t he s y m b o l ic
th e w a l l p a p e r
p owe r o f
sions
to e x p o s e
n a rr a t o r
an d
W i t h e v e ry
the
ra t h e r t h a n a u t ho r i al
fu l l
aut h or a r e wo r l d s a p a r t"
w r i t e r t h e r e a re
(57).
a lm o s t c e r t a i n l y t w o
c r e a to r ,
a l t h o u g h t he s e t w o v o i c e s a r e m o s t o b s e r v a b l e
na r r a t o r
M 2 �y _ Q��k .
Ish m a el ,
na r r a t o r
t he
one
the
the
en d ,
voic es ,
w he n
of
At t he
h o r ro r .
int ru-
uses
for e xa mp l e ,
b ut
I s h m a el
H2Y§�_9!_ D�h� r
is
told
ce r t a in l y i s n o t P o e .
th e
an d
f i r st
is tol d
is
by
not
one
pe r s o n .
fro m
t he i Jr
na r ra t o r s '
unna me d
N e ve r t h e l e s s ,
each
i n d iv i d u a l
po r t ra it
o f t he
95
and
of
Po e 's
nar rator
who
M e l vi l l e ' s
an d P o e ' s
texts,
sepa rat e
S i m i la r l y .
p i l g ri m s
P ro l o gu e " o f Ih�-�9�t� r��r y_I9l �� .
telle r­
M el vi lle 's
Melville,
an
voi c es.
th e
t h e v i ew p oi n t
v o i c e s a r e t h e r e so m e w h e r e w i t h i n t he
fro m
of
in
in
p r e s e n t in g
the
" G e n e r al
C h a u c e r th e p i l g r i m
is
no t C h au c e1 r t h e
p oet ,
ev e n t h ou gh h e u s e s t h e p r o n o u n " I "
a n d i s n a Dl e d C h a u c e r .
not
om ni s c en t
b ut
T h e s e f i r s t p e r s on na r r ato r s a r e
are
as
fal l i ble
h u m a n o b s e rv e r c a n a n d w i l l b e .
cr e ator' s
vo ice ,
at
c er ,
it at all.
any
intell igent
S o m e t i m e s t he t e l l e r­
t i m e s i de n t i c a l w i th I .
i s s o f a i n t t h a t t he
s pe a k e r - c o m p os e r ,
de t e c t
as
Gil man,
h o w e ve r ,
A.
R i ch a r d s '
rea d e r cannot
somew hat
l i k e C h au -
f r e q u en t l y a l l o w s t h e t e l l e r - c r e a t o r v o i c e t o b e c o m e
d et e c t ab l e ;
c re a to r v o i c e
Just
as
is
m o st l y
C h au c er' s
fal li b le ,
so
h e r m o s t s u b tl e w o rk ,
in this ,
is
fai nt ,
narrator
b ut
is
it
Fo r
pi l gr :L m a d m i r es t h e " C h r i s t i a n " K n i g ht ,
an d
t he
Kni ght' s
but
bl o o d t h i rs t y ,
C h a u c e r t he
m e rc e na r y
poet
n a t ur e
f ini te,
i n st a n c e ,
th e
Prioress,
d et e c ta b le .
is
h u m an,
G i l m an ' s n a r r a to r .
t h e t el l e r ­
an d
Ch a ucer
t h e P a rd o n e r ,
deplo res
t he
w h i c h c a u se s
him
t o a l l y h i m s e l f w i t h o n e h e a t h e n t o f i g ht a g a i n s t o t h e r
h e a th e ns a n d t o go o n t h r e e ch i va c h i e s w i t h h i s y o u n g s on
( t h e S q u i r e } i n a C hr i s t ia n l an d ,
cr e a t u r e ,
gr o u n d
d e s t r o y i n g e v e ry
b ur ni n g C h r i s t i an v i l l ag e s
i nt o
a
fie l d .
Chauc er
t he
r es e r v e d a d m i ra t i o n f o r t h e P a r d o n e r ;
c on de m n s h i m
as
b e yo n d
a dm i r e s a n d r ev e r es
r e d em p t i o n .
t h e P r io r e s s ;
96
and
l iv i n g
pl o wing the
p i l g ri m
s ho w s
a
C h au c e r the po e t
C ha u c e r
t he
pi l gri m
C h au ce r t h e p o e t de -
p l o re s
h er
d o c t r i ne .
S o m e w h at
a n d h u m an ,
of
e x c e s se s
p et ty
and
s i mi l a r l y ,
breaches
rel igious
of
G i lm an ' s n a r r a to r ,
f i n i te
i s co ndi t i o n e d t o t h i n k a n d b e h a ve a s a w i f e
her t i me .
G i lm an t h e
t e l l e r - c r e at o r ,
h o we v e r ,
de-
p 1 o r e s t h e n a r r a t o r ' s i n f e r i o r p o s i t i o n i n th e d o m e s t i c
ar ran ge m ent ,
an d
o b s e rv a b le
m u c h t he
in
the
t e l l e r - c r e a to r ' s
same
w ay a s is
i n t h at t h e e c h o i n g v o i ce e m e r ge s
It
is
on l y
upon
Gi l m a n ' s v o i c e
r e f le c ti o n t h a t
i n t he
r a t o r ' s m a d s c en e
d i spl e a su re
C h au c e r th e
on l y
th e
p o et ' s
i n retr osp e c t .
r e a d e r r e c o gn i z e s
r ev e r b e r a t i ng
e ch o e s
is
from t he
w h e n sh e e x p r e s s e s h e r o w n ,
n ar­
a n d Gi l ­
m an ' s ,
fr u s t rat i on an d a n g e r a t h e r c ra m p e d p os i t i o n i n
life.
Ch a u c e r t h e p o e t w a g e s a n ec e s s a r i l y s u bt l e ca m ­
p a i g n a g a i n s t a b us e s w i t h i n t h e c h u r c h ;
n o t- s o- s u bt l e
w a r a g a in s t t h e a b u s e s m an y w o m e n e n d ur e d .
R e c o gn i t i o n
d oes
not
vo i c e s .
so lve
For
Gi l m a n wage s a
of t he
the
t h at ,
t e l l e r - c r e a to r ' s
puzz le
of
t he
t wo
vo i ce ,
di s t i n c t n a r r a t i v e
con side rat ion m u s t
be
g iv e n
" b l a n k p a p e r " t h a t i s t h e a u d i t o r o f t h e s t o ry .
a re m e an t t o b e r e a d b y t h e
ca s e
a
Walte r
t a lk i n g
w o m an
Ong
to
w ho
no
s t at e s
h i m s el f
p e r s on
do u bt
t hat
ha s
sees
t he
" d ia r i s t
a ls o ,
97
w r i t in g t he m ,
he r
since
ho w ev er ,
life
as
to
Di a r i e s
in this
a " bl a nk. "
p re t e n di n g t o
he is
t he
w r it i n g ,
be
to
Pret end
h E!
b e? "
not
the re.
( 2: 0 ) .
Gilman' s
na r ra t o r
s o m e t i m e f3 i m a g i n e s s h e i s ,
w i th
v i e w :s
i n st a n c e
And
t o w ha t s e 1 f i s h e
T o the s elf he i m ag i ne s he i s ?
talking:
to
i s s o m eh o w
and
sh e
o pini ons
s t r ong ly
w i sh e s
to
O r would like
p e r h ap s
an d
be ,
s t r o n g i n d e p e n d e n t w o m an
a
o f he r o w n .
asse rts ,
"I
w o rk ,
w i th e x c i t e m e n t an d c h a n g e ,
A f ew
l i n e s l at e r ,
Fo r example ,
b e l i eve
wo u l d
t hat
in one
c ongen ial
d o m e go o d "
( 1 0).
s h e i s w ea k e r i n h e r a ss e r-
ho w ev e r ,
t i o n a s s h e t h i n k s a b o u t J o h n : " I s o m e t i m e s f a n c y t h at
my c on d i t i o n i f I ha d l e s s o p p o s it i o n a n d mo re
and stimulus--.
in
so c i e t y
T h e n , a s s he c o n si d e r s w h a t "J o h n
"
s h e m e e k l y c o n c u r s w i t h h i m : "· . . b ut J o h n s a y s
says , "
t h e ve r y w o r s t t h in g I c a n d o i s t o t h i n k a b o u t m y c o n d i ­
tion,
a n d I c on f e s s i t
a l w a y s m ak e s m e
W h en eve r h e r m i n d s h i ft s t o w a r d J oh n ,
re f l e c t s h i s t ho u g h t s ,
wor d s ,
f e el
bad"
( 10).
t h e w i f e l y n a r ra t o r
a n d wi s h e s ,
b ut t he mo ment
h e r m i n d d r i f t s a w a y f r o m t h o u gh t s o f J o h n , sh e b e c o m e s
s t r on ge r
and
mo re
i n d e p e n d e nt .
or a l t e ra t i o n of the
persona,
a m b i gu i t y an d s o m e t i m e s t h e
is
able
This
doub l e
i d en t i t y,
i n c r e a s e s t he d e g r e e o f
d e g r e e o f t r ut h w h ic h Gi l m a n
t o rev e a l .
An o t h e r
in s t a n c e
o c c u r s i n t he i r
of
th e
n arrator' s
d i s a g re e m e n t o v e r
98
be d ro o m s .
v ac i l l a t i o n
T he
n a r ra-
tor
e x p re ss e s
he r d i sl i k e
w i t h e n t hus i a s m
Aft e r
" J oh n
of
t he i r b e d r oo m
the p r e t t y d o w n s t a i rs
w ould
no t
hear
of
ro o m
an d
it"
an d d e s c ri b e s
sh e
tells
wa nt s .
her
his
r a t i o n a l r e a s o n s f o r h i s ch o i c e o f t h e u p s t a i r s b e d r o o m
w it h b a r r El d w in d o w s ,
and l ov i n g,
v e r y c a r e fu l
sp e c i a l d i re c t i o n
v al u e i t m o r e "
• •
s h e m e re ly
h o w ev e r ,
•
an d h a rd l y l e t s
u t t er s ,
" H e is
sti r w i t hout
me
I f e e l b a s e l y un g r a t e f u l n o t t o
.
( 12 ).
I n t h i s i n s t a n c e t h e na r r a t o r h a s
o n c e mo r e vo i c e d an o pi n i on o f h e r o w n o n l y t o c o nc e d e
it t h e n to J oh n ' s l o g i c .
of
gu i l t
ca t e
and
at
he r
he r
not
He r e ,
v a l u i n g J o hn ' s
a m b iv a l e n t
f e e l in g s
" l o vi n g"
t o wa r d
h e r e xp r e s s i on
a t t en t i o n s i n d i ­
J ohn's
p r e s c r i p t i o ns
Nl co g n i t i o n o f t h o s e f e e l i n g s .
T he
r ea d e r
se e s in
the s e
t o r an d the s ub m i ss i v e w i fe .
t h e i n d e pe n d e nt
p re v al e n t ,.
gra s p
h o w e ve r ,
of
v o i c e e m e r ge s
d i s t o rt i n g
th at
p r e t en d i n g
he r
real ity
to
be
" v e ry
exa mpl e s t he
strong
na r ra ­
A s t he s t o r y p r o g re ss e s ,
an d
gr a d u a l l y b e c o m e s m o r e
p re v i o u s s e n s e o f t r ut h a s he r
fai ls
h e r.
loving
and
She
now
ki n d , "
s ees
( 32 )
John
w h e re a s
b e f o r e s h e h a d a s s u r e d h e r s e l f t h a t J o h n " l o v e s m e v e ry
d e a r l y " ( .2 1 ) ;
sh e
is
s h e t h i n k s J e n n i e " b e t r a ye d h e r s e l f " w h e n
a ma zed
at
the
c on di t i o n
of
l au gh i n g l y t e l l s t h e n a r r a to r t h a t s h e ,
99
the
pap er
J e nn i e ,
an d
"w oul dn ' t
m ind"
t ear ing i t
of f
herse l f
(33),
b e fo r e
whe rea s
h a d c o n s i d e r e d J e n n i e "S u c h a d e a r g i r l " ( 1 7 ) .
na r r a t o r
S h e i s c o m p l e t e l y a u t h o r i t a t i v e fo r t h e f i r s t
t he
en d
l o c k ed
of
t he
do or
sto ry
and
she
w h en
J ohn
rev e rs e s
attempts
th e
an d
to
di re c t i on
su p e r c i l i o u s " l i t t l e g i r l" ( 2 3 ) wit h
ious
ti m e at
open
of
he r o w n s u pe r c i l ­
e o n d e s ce n d i n g t e r m o f a d d r e s s a s s h e
cr i e s ,
y o u ca n ' t o pe n i t "
( 35 ).
w he n
do o r
co n di t i o n ,
J oh n
s c re a m s ,
o p e ns
"I ' ve
An d
the
ha s
sees
got o ut a t l a s t
I've
pul l e d
of f
c an 't p u t m e back ! " ( 3 6 ).
wife
and
disappeared,
f u l l y e m e r ge d i n a
mo st
he r
t he
"I t
F in a 1 1 y ,
she
i n sp i t e o f y o u and
of
the
At t h i s p oi nt
an d
mad
•
the
Jo h n ' s
i s no u s e , y oun g m an ,
Jane .
the
pape r ,
so
yo u
t h e su b m i s sive
i n de p e n d e n t
d i sto rtion o f t he
n a r ra t e r
has
in d e p en d en t
p e r s o n a l i t y s o m e t i m e s d et ec t e d a t t h e b eg i n n i n g o f t h e
s to r y .
As
d i ar y
a
d e vi c e
to
manipu la t e
fo r ill o f t h i s s t o r y i s
supe rb.
n ar r a t i ve
voi ce,
t he
B y r e co r d i n g e n t r i es
i n h e r d i a ry , t h e n a r ra t o r c a n in s o m e m e a s ur e p e r h a p s ,
t o p a r a p h r a s e O n g , p r e t en d t h a t s h e i s n o t t he r e a t a l l .
This
suggest ion
of
s ch i z o ph r en i a
is
hei gh ten ed by he r
e x c l a m a t i o n a t t h e e n d o f t he s t o ry t h a t s h e ha s g o t t e n
o u t o f t he p a p e r " in s p i t e o f y o u [ J o h n ]
1 00
an d J a ne . "
If
Jane
denotes
the
i cs p os t ulat e
na r ra t o r ' s
ra t i on al
se lf ,
( s e e c h a p t e r si x o f t hi s
as
som e
st u d y ) ,
cr i t ­
and i f t he
n ar ra t i v e v o i c e a t t h e e nd o f t h e s t o r y i s n o t n a m ed J a n e
a s i t i n d i c at e s i t i s n o t w h en i t n a me s J a n e i n t h e t h i r d
p e r s on ,
then
som e
sort
of
d i vi s i o n
has
occur red.
s e l f , t o b o rr o w G ol d e n ' s t e r m
n a r r a t o r ' :s f i c t i o n a l i z e d
t h o u gh n o t h e r c o n c 1 u s i o n , h a s b e c o m e d o m i n a n t .
t han
w r it e r ' s
s uf fe! r i n g
b lo c k ,
sumably e xtrapola ted fro m
(" bl o eked
expr ess
2 0 0 n2 ) ,
J an e
e x p r e s s i ng
from
h e r s e l f �hr Q �S h
e xc l a m at i on
c o m p l i c i ty
stilled,
out
of
"in
spi te
its
h e r s e 1 f QD
pa pe r " ;
thi s
by
pa p e r ,
Fet terley
unb earable
Fet t e r le y
she
s eek s
162;
si t u ati o n,
i n he r p a t r i a r c h a l b o n d a g e .
but
in
Gol d en
and
own
self.
J ohn is
The
co n f r o n t ed
an d
and
her
S h e h a d w i sh e d
to
vo i c e
by h e r soc iet y t o
of
J a ne
has
w i t h a gro t e s q u e
b e en
ca r i -
s t r o n g i n d e p e n d en t w o m a n .
p r ev i o u s l y s u g g e s t e d ,
s to r y ,
he r
h a d fi c t i on a l iz e d t h a t s h e
s he w a s t o o co n d i t i on ed
her
to
o f y o u an d J a n e " i n d i c a t e s h e r o w n
c at u r e o f t h e v o i c e o f t he
As
wh i c h G o l d e n p re­
an o b s e r v a t i o n
b e a s t r on g i n d e p e n d e n t w o m a n ,
bel ieve
an idea
Ra th er
t h e n a r ra t o r h a s w r i t t e n he r r a t i on a l s e l f ,
s el f ,
w as one ,
The
Gi l m a n' s
i n m an y of he r o t he r
c o u n t e rp o in t i n g i n
sto r ies a s w el l ,
in v o lv e s t h e r e al i t y o f o n e m a r r i a g e a s o p p o s e d
101
to
the
ro m a n ce
p r e c e d i n g m a r ri a g e t h a t G i l m a n f e l t w a s t o o
W h i l e J o hn ' s t re at -
f r e qu ent l y t h e s ub j e c t o f fi ct i o n .
m en t o f h i s w i f e
e x a g g e r at i on
or
an d
her subsequent
di sto r t i o n
of the
G il m a n r e a l i z e d t h a t di s t o r t i o n ,
was
n e ce s .s a r y
s h o ul d
be
to
ma k e
her
m adne ss may b e an
p l i gh t
of
m o st
women,
a n d ev e n sh o c k a t t i m es ,
re a d e r s
u n d e r s ta n d t h at
wo me n
t r e a te d a s a d u l t s .
In t h i s s t o r y , G i l m a n ' s u se o f t h e g r o t e s qu e m ay b e
de s c ri b e d
s o m ew hat
gr o t e s qu e
art
in
prop e r
of
f a n c i fu l
in
a f fl u e nc e
J.
Co t t e r
e s s ay
an
the
po w e r
by
l i t e ra l
o f u n r e al
t he
a rt i s t ;
y et
ab s ur d l y
a n d s a v e f r o m t he
( q u o t e d i n A r th ur S y mo n s
Be c a us e
Cl f
i mp e n d i n g
m ents
of
com i ca l l y
th e
b a si c
madness,
hu mo r
or
fo r m s ,
with
to give a grim
I
tr i v i a l i t y o f c a r i c a t u re .
[ 1 25 ]
g ri m n e s s
be a ut y
b u t i n ve n t i v e
co m i c
added ,
e x h i bi t i o n
of
b y S ma l l e y x i i i n )
G i l m an ' s
n ar rato r ' s
s ce n e s w h i c h c o n t a in p o s s i b l e e l e -
beco m e
a b s ur d
not
s en s e a t al l ,
de scribed
� � l 1 ���-] � 9 D
se e m t o b e t h e
j u st a f l a vo ur o f t he t e r r i b l e
d i gn i ty ,
Mo r r i s o n
B r ow n i n g ' s
on
pr o v i n c e w o u l d
It s
t ru t h
as
for
g r o t e s qu e .
a
gr o w n
F or
wo m an
e xa m p l e ,
to
be
ke p t
it
in
is
a
n u r s e r y w· i t h t h e s a m e s a f e t y f e at u r e s w h i c h t h o u g h t f u l
102
Likewise ,
p a r en t s p ro v i d e fo r c h i l d r e n .
n ar -
w h e n t he
r a t e r is a f ra i d J e n n i e w a n t s t o t e a r t h e w a l l p a p e r o f f
t h e w al l
selves
he r s e l f ,
at
p reven ts
wo u l d
of
A l so ,
l a u gh t e r .
her
s u r re pt i t i o u sl y ,
re a l i z a t i o n of
a
co m i c
t hen
t hr o w s
i de a
h i de
but
that
hor ror
a n a d u lt
w r i t i n g w h en
th e
co m i c o v e r t o ne s ,
na r r a t o r ' s
but
a ppr e h e nsions
A d di t io n a l l y ,
r e s po n s e .
t h e n a r ra t o r
do m i ne e r i ng ,
the
de l u s i o n ,
t h e v e ry
a pp roa c he s h a s p o ss i b l e
el udes
w hich
ab s urdi ty
tt e
write
an yo ne
fu l l
re a d e r s a l m o s t s m i l e i n s p i t e o f t h e m ­
t he
a
p re-
s c ene
t h e k e y o u t t h e w in d o w a nd
in
the
u s u a l l y p r e c i s e an d c o r re ct J o h n m us t f u m b l e
a ro u n d u n d e r t h e p l a n t a i n le a f l o ok i n g f o r i t h as c o m i c
p o s s i bi l i t i e s ;
t h e a w k w a r d n e s s o f t h e s i t u a t i o n c e rt a i n l y
p r o v i d e s a p ot e n t i a l fo r
t h e re a d e r a n y re l i e f
a f in a l e x a m p l e ,
t h e n a r ra t o r ' s
firs t,
b u t G i l m a n de n i e s
f ro m t h e g r i m n e s s o f t h e s to ry .
t h a t g ro w n m a n fa i n t ? " a s
body i s f u n ny ,
comi c r e l ie f ,
s he
excla m at i o n ,
p ro c e e d s t o
b e c a u se
As
" N o w w hy d i d
c ra w l o v e r h i s
t h e un f l a p p a b l e
J ohn has
b e e n f i n a 1 1 y c o m p e 1 1 e d t o 1 o o k a t h i s w i f e an d c o n f r o n t
r ea li t y
p res ent
and,
s t at e
s ur p r i s e d
at
se c o n d ,
of
b e ca u se on ly t he n a r ra to r i n h e r
d e t e r io r a t i n g
John's
re a c t i o n .
s an i t y
Y et ,
G i l m a n ' s n ar r a t o r e n t e r s t h e
103
cou l d
n o on e
worl d
p o ss i b l y
be
la u gh s .
of t he
g ro t e s q u e
w hen
she
i s
f or ce d
to
liv e
o n e o f t h e [ m a ny ]
t r ut h s t o h i m s e l f ,
an d t r i e d t o l i v e h i s l i f e b y i t . "
a g r o t es q u e a n d t h e t r u t h
Gil m a n ' s
t r y i ng
to
t r u t h.
d e fi n e d a g r o te s q u e a s on e w ho " to ok
S he r w o o d A n d e r s on
(5) .
e l se ' s
so m eo ne
narrat o r
he
c a l l e d i t h i s t r ut h ,
T h i s p e r s o n " b ec a m e
e m b r a ce d b e c a m e a fa l s e h o o d "
gr a d u a l l y
l i v e b y J o hn ' s t r ut h ,
b ec o m e s
a
g r o t e s qu e
h i s c e rt a in t y t h a t e v e ry ­
t h in g i n l i f e c a n b e e xp l a i n e d b y l o g i c - - h i s l og i c ;
i s u nt r ue
t o h e r s e l f a n d a t t em p t s t o l i v e a l i e ,
Jo h n l a b e l s h e r t ru t h ,
fals ehoo d b y urging
h e r n atu r a l
t he
treated
fro m
her
p s y ch ic
as
h e r in t u i t i ve r e s p o n s e s t o l i fe ,
her
to use
a
o wn
de p i c t s
d a ma g e
child.
Both
T he
w h i ch
g r a d ua l l y e m e r ge s
e xp r e s s e s t he
a n g e r an d
w i fe
as
sh e
w o m an ' s
t hat
i m m e a su ra b l y .
th e
h e r w i l l p o w e r t o c o nt ro l
t e l l e r- c re a t o r
su f f e r
w i th i n
whil e
u s e of t h e t wo v o i c es of t he nar r a t o r a s
Y el l o w W a l l p a p e r "
and
sh e
i m p ul s e s .
G i l man 's
d i s tinct
in
in
"T he
ca p a c i t y a s an a d u l t
occurs
pa r t n e rs
w he n
in
s t ro n g v o i c e
as
voi c e
m ad n e s s
of
an
t hi s
adult
is
mar riage
t h e n a r ra t o r ,
de s c e n d s ,
f i n al l y
f r u s t r a t i o n t h a t ha d b e e n p e n t u p
at t e m p t e d
1 04
to
c o p e w it h
patrona g e
an d c o n d e s c e n s i o n a s w e l l a s
t h e ang er and frustra t i o n
t h a t G i l m a n t h e t e l l e r - c r e a to r e x p e r ie n c e d
p a t r i a rc h a l a t t i t u de s e xp r e s s e d
b e c a us e o f t h e
t o w a rd t h e w o m e n
o f h er
day .
o :r d e r
In
to
counte ract
the s e
pat r i a rc hal
to e m p h a s i z e t h e f e m al e ' s p o t en t i a l ,
p u bl i c
ab o ut
c o n t r i b u t :l o n s
t o r t i o n.
In
the
d e s i ra b i l i t y o f
i n to
this
s o c i et y ,
Gi l m an
p a r t i c u l c.. r
at t it u d e s ,
an d t o e du c a t e t h e
i n c o r p o r a t i n g f e m al e
f r e quent ly
s t o ry
s he
us e s
dis ­
ut i l iz e s
w o man ' s
th e
g o t h i c g e n re
t o e x p r e s s h e r h o r ro r
i n society's
p r e de t e r mi ne d " p r e p o s i t i o n a l " r ol e s w h i c h
at
e n t ra p m e n t
of t en p re c l ud e d he r ful l dev el o p m en t a s a n a du l t h u m an
b e ing.
As a r e s u l t of he r reac ti ons t o h e r e nt ra p m en t ,
Gi l m an ' s n a r ra t o r b e c o m e s a
nor's
t e r m i n o l o gy ,
t oward
the
c on d i t i on i n g .
w he n ,
to
us e
Flee­
" s e l f - f e a r a n d s e l f- d i s gu s t d i r e c t e d
fe ma l e
T he
gro t e s que
rol e"
override
he r
cul tural
fo l l o w i n g c ha p t e r i s d i r e c t e d t o w a r d a
f ul l e r un d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h a t c u l t u r e a n d i t s i m p l i c at i o n s
f o r w o m en.
105
CH A PT E R I V
"THE
Y EL LO W
W A L L P A P E R 11
AN D
THE
FE M A L E
G O T HI C :
V I CT O R I A N S O C I E T A L A N D M E D I C A L V I E W S
Th e c h i l d r e n a p p e a r e d b e f o r e h e r
w ho h a d ov e rc o m e he r ,
l ik e
a n t a g on i s t s
w h o h a d o v e r p o w e r e d a n d s o ug h t
t o d ra g h e r i n t o t he s o ul ' s sl a v e r y fo r t h e r e st o f
h er d a y s .
I would give u p t he
m o ne y ,
une ss e n t i a l ;
I w o u l d gi v e m y l if e f o r m y c hi l d r e n ;
I wo u l d n ' t g iv e my s e l f .
c l e ar ;
I woul d g ive my
I c a n ' t m a k e i t mo r e
am b eg i n n i n g
i t ' s o n l y s o m e t h i ng w h i c h I
t o c o mp r e h en d ,
bu t
w h i c h i s r ev e a l i ng i t s e l f t o me .
- Kate Chopin
G il m an ' s
p ro du c t
n a r ra t or
in "The Yellow
o f h e r so ci et y , a n d t h e s t o ry i s
that s o c ie t y.
T he
ho u se
in
the
s t o ry ,
Wal lpap e r"
an
as
is
a
i n d i c t m e n t of
well
as
the
gr o t e s q u e y e l l o w w a l l p a p e r w i t h it s p at te r n o f c o nt r a d i c -
1 06
t o r y a ng l o s w h i c h t h e n a r ra t o r s t a r e s a t a l l d a y a n d m u ch
o f t h e n i g ht ,
and the nurse ry ro om
s y m b ol i z e " b o th t he
cu l t u re a n d t h e h e r o i ne , " t h e s e c o n d p o i n t of F l e e n o r ' s
definit ion
thi s
of
sym b o l ism ,
s o c i e ta l
and
w om a n ' s
above
rea d er
I n o rd e r
m ust
v i e w po i n t s
und e r s t and
wom en.
V i c to ri a n
Thi s
d i s­
p r o v i d e f u r t h e r c l ue s a b o u t t h e V i c t o r i a n
stated
as
th e
t hi r d
s e l f - d i s g u st m e n t i o n e d
p o i nt
of
Fl e e n o r' s
d ef i n i­
C o nt in u i n g t h e d i s c u s s i o n o f " T h e Y e l l ow W a l l p a­
as
an
exam pl e
J u l i a n n F l e eno r ' s
of
t he
Fe mal e
d e fi n i t i o n ,
thi s
Go t h i c
reflec ted
ha p p e n e d
beliefs
when
in
t he
w o men
w o m e n' s
l iv e s ,
e x p e ri e n ce d
a c co r d i n g
to
c en te r
w il l
chap te r
on t h e V i c t o r i a n s ' b e l i e f s a b o u t w o m e n ,
w e re
to
unde rs t a nd
a b o ut
f e e l i n g s of s e l f - f e a r a n d
a nd
t io n.
per"
t he
m e d i c al
c u s s i on w i l l
go t h i c .
wo m en' s
ho w t ho se bel i e fs
and
co n fl i c t
w h at
so m e t i m e s
b e t w ee n
t ho s e
an d t h e i r o w n ne e d fo r s e l f - f u l f i l l m e n t .
Much of
c onsi dered
G i l m a n' s
in f e ri o r
w r i t i ng as se r t s t h a t
mal es
and
hence
women were
i n fe r i or
hu m an s
b e c a u s e t h e i d e a l hu m an h a d b e e n d e fi n e d b y m a l e q u a l i ­
t ie s .
the
I t i s a s i f a v e s t i ge o f t h e o l d P l a t o n i c i d ea o f
go d d e s s
of
l ove
w ho
ne v e r t h e l e s s
p o s s e ss e s
all
a p p e n d a g e s l i n g e r s o n i n th i s V i c t o r i a n s o c i e t y :
He a v e n ly A p h r o di t e ,
m al e
"
o r L o v e wh o s p r i n g s f r o m a go d de s s
1 07
who s e
att r i b ut e s h ave
al t o ge t h e r m al e
hint
.
.
o f l ew dn e s s"
nothing
a nd i s
•
.
m e n and
women
fe m al e ,
the
b ut
are
[ t h e r e f o r e ] i n n o c e n t o f a nY
�xm�g§i Ym
( Pl a to ,
t ud e i s su r p r i s i n g l y s i m i l ar
V i c t o r i an
of
5 35 ).
P l at o ' s a t t i ­
to t he p e r v a s iv e a t t i t ud e o f
tha t
th e f e m al e
re p ro du ct i v e
o r ga n s , d o m i n a t i n g h e r b o d y a n d m i n d , w e r e l e s s a t t r a c­
t i v e - - m o re o b s c e n e e v e n - - t h an w er e t h e m a l e re p r o d u c t i v e
o rg a n s .
V i c to r i an s o c i e t y d e c re e d
" ch a s t e ,
d el i c a t e ,
" co ntrol l ed
a nd
p hy s i c a l ly
l o v in g"
t id al
that
a n d e m o t io n a l l y
t u re " bo th h ig he r a n d l o w e r ,
yet
y et
w o m an
by
should b e
she
w as
al so
her
r e p ro d u c ­
S h e w a s p e rc e i v e d a s a p a r a d o x i c a l c r e a ­
t i v e o r ga ns . "
p ur e
that
b o t h i n n o c en t an d a n i m a l ,
q ui n t e s s e nt i a l l y s e xu a l
c ur rent s
of
(S m i t h - R o fJ e n b e rg ,
her
c yc l i c a l
" P u b er t y"
•
.
•
•
d rive n by t he
r e p r o d u c t iv e
sy ste m"
24 ) .
T h i s P l a t o ni c a n d V i c to r ia n
c o n c ep t
of
ma l e
sup e r i­
o r i t y i s d i a m e t r i c a l l y o p p o s e d t o G i l m a n ' s t h e o r y t h at
the fe m al e w a s
o n l y a g r a ft e d
ry
ideas
t h e t r u n k o f h u m an i t y a n d t h e m a l e w a s
b ra n c h .
s t r u gg l i n g
Pe rhap s two
wi t h in t he
uns e t t l i n g a s t o p r o p el
Yel l o w
W a l l p ap e r"
d i re c t l y c o n t ra d i c t o ­
sa me
m ind
would
be
so
t h e m i n d t o w a rd i ns an it y . " T h e
sp e c i f i c al l y
ad d ress es
the
problem
w h i ch t h i s Pl a t o n i c i n t e rp r e t a t i on of m a le s u p e r i o r i t y
108
t h e n a r r at o r ' s p r i m a r y d i f f i cu l t y a p p e a r s t o
p re s e n t s ;
h e r i n a b i l i t y t o a c ce p t
h er
u n e q u al
d o m e st i c
an d
be
m ar i t a l
po s it i o n whi c h
he r h u s b a n d a n d g u a r d i a n a s su m e s a s a
given ,
as
as
well
J ohn's
i n s i st ence
u p on
his
w i fe ' s
con f o rm i n g t o h i s p re sc ri p t i on s for e v ery de tai l o f h er
l i fe ,
t hus
c u l t u re
then
d e n y in g h e r i n d i v i d u a l i t y .
tho ught
Jo h n ' s
t ha t
w o m an ' s
in s i st ence
w i ll
that
t he
w as
In
fact ,
so
i n n at e ly
na r r at or
i f t heir
w e ak ,
s t r i n ge n t l y
e x e r c i s e w i l l p o w e r to c o n t r o l h e r i m a g i n a t i on a mo un t s t o
a
g r e a t e r c ru e l t y t h an
cr i t i c s h ave
p r ev i ou s l y n ot e d ,
as
h e kno w i ngl y u rg e s her t o o v e r t a x her w i t s .
T he
h e ro i n e
o o n t ra d i c t i o n s
because
sh e
d ec re ed that s he
is
and
a
c onfl icts
c h i l d - w o m an
evol v e
w ithin
the
w ho s e c u l t u r e
ha s
m u s t b eh a v e a s b o t h c h i l d a n d wo ma n .
N o w o n d e r s h e ha s d i f f i c u l t y i n u n d e r s t a nd i n g t h e f l o o r
p l an o f h e� r g o t h i c e d i f i c e ,
The
ef fo rt
to
ful fi l l
not to m e n t i on h er
the
two
co n c e p t s o f f em i n i n i t y a n d o f
sick ;
she
e xtre m e s
exi ste nc e .
of
th e
male
m o t h e r h o o d h a s m ade
s u f f e r s f r o m a n i l l ne s s
e u p h e m i s t i c a l l y c a l l s i t " a s l i g ht
called
her
h y s t e r i a - - J o hn
hy s t e r i c a l
t e n d e n c y" - ­
w h i c h w a s c o m m on a m o n g a l l c l a s s e s o f w o m e n a n d s o m e m e n
but
w h ic h
e sp e c i a l l y
af f l i ct e d
of t h e nine t e e nt h c e n tu ry .
m i ddl e - c lass
wh i t e
w o m en
T h i s s t r a n g e m a l a d y a nd i t s
1 09
m a n i f e st a t i o n s
kn o w l e d ge
w hi c h a s sa u l t e d t h e i n a d e q u a c y o f m e d i c a l
t h e n i n e t e e n t h - ce n t u r y a r e a l m o s t
in
t o t he s y m p t o m s d e p i c t e d
Y e l l ow
w o m an in
hy s t e r i c a l
"The
W a l l p a p er . "
Carroll
co uld
exp e ct ed
o b s e rv e s
S m i th- R o s e n b e r g
b e vie we d as
they
i n t he
i d e n t i c al
an a l t e rn a t i v e w h i c h
not
of
ac ce p t
them ,
and
or
so m e
ful fill
cites
she
that
h y st e r i a
women
the
t h re e
chose
r ole s
m ay
when
s o c i et y
wh i ch
f a c to r s
i n t e r a c t e d t o m ak e h y s t e r i a a p o s s i bl e o pt i on fo r s o m a ny
w o m e n ( " Hy s t e r i c a l W o m an " 6 5 5 } :
f i r s t , t h e v a r i o u s e x p e ri e n c e s t h a t ca u s e d a w o m a n
to
arrive
weak ne sse s ;
at
adulthood
second,
w i th
c e r t a in
a n d c u l t u ra l va l u es
s o c i a l i z a t i on
th i r d ,
the
e go
pa t t e rn s
w h i c h m a d e hy s t e r ia a rea d i l y
a v ai l ab l e a l t e r n at e b e h a v i o r
an d
s i gnificant
s e c o n d ary
pattern for women,
gai n s c o n fe rre d
by
t he
hy s t e r i c a l r o l e i n t e r m s o f e n ha n c e d p o w e r w i t h i n
t he
fam il y .
( 6 5 4 n5 }
T h e i d e a l w om a n w as
and
e xp e c t e d
ge n t l e - - a b o r n f o l l o we r , "
e x p e c t e d t o b e " s t ro n g ,
e f fi c i e n t " ( Sm i t hIn
a d d i t :l o n ,
as
to
be " e mot ional ,
wh ile
t he
s el f- re l i ant ,
R o s e nb e r g ,
m ot h e r w a s
pr ot e ct i v e
.
•
.
,
"H y s t e r i c a l W o m a n " 6 5 6 } .
S m i t h- Ro s e nb e r g
1 10
i d ea l
de p e n d e n t
c o n t i nue s ,
she
w as
e x p e c t e d t o " fa c e s e v e r e b o d i l y p a i n ,
a nd
s t i l l s e rv e
h er f a mi l y"
as t he
( 657).
Re a r e d t o
o r d e r t o ga i n h e r
the
oppos ite
ch i l d r e a ri n g.
em oti onal
man,
in
T h es e
be
d i s e a s e a nd
su p po r t
dea th-­
a n d s t re n g t h
of
f ra gi l e a n d d e p e n d e n t i n
s h e w a s s u d d e n l y e xp e c t e d t o b e
relat ion
di c h o t o m o u s
to
childbearing
exp e ct a t i o n s
seem
and
e n o u gh
t o s e n d a n y w o m a n i n t o h e r b e d - - al o n e - - o r o ut o f h e r m i n d
in
se arch
of
some
a ga i n s t
r e a c t i ng
o the r
her
r e a l it y .
s o c i et y' s
Th e
cult ura l
hyster ic
was
c on d i t i o n i n g
in
w h i c h w o m e n w e r e " rou t i n e l y s o c i a l i z e d t o f i l l a w e ak ,
depe nde nt
and
s eve re l y
limited
" H y st e r i c a l
Ros e n b e r g ,
W o m a n"
soc i a l
r o le "
( S m i t h-
D is c o ura g e d
677 ).
f ro m
" e x p r e s s i n g c o m p e t i t i o n o r m a s t e r y i n s u c h ' m as c u l i n e '
a rea s
as
acad e m i c
to
be
or
(677).
h y st e ri cal
reb ell ion.
s t re n g th
p u r su i t s , "
e nt e r t a i n i n g ,
Th e i r
a n ge r
be havio r ,
G i l m an' s
Ros e nb e r g not e s ,
ture"
sk il l ,
com merc ial
c o qu e t t i s h ,
turant"
i n to
p hy s i c al
and
a
an d
th e y
were
f r u s t r a t i on
was ,
or
in
" e n co uraged
n o n - t h re a t e n i n g
s o c i al l y
nar ra t o r
c ou ra ge ,
and
nur­
sp il l e d
ov er
ac c e p t ab l e
t h e r e fo r e ,
as
fo r m o f
Smi th-
" b o t h p ro d u c t a n d i n d i c t m e n t o f h e r c u l ­
( 678).
Primi tive
cul t u r e
ch i l d b i rth
p ra c t i c e s
o f t he
p o s s e s s e d t h e i r ow n g ot h i c e l e m e nt s ,
1 1 1
nar rato r ' s
fo r
c h i l d-
b i rth w as a
my s t er i ous
an d
f r i gh t en i n g e x p e r i e nc e
w hi c h w o m e n w e r e f re q u e n t ly u n p r e p a r e d .
the
fac ts
birth
of
of their
t hei r
The
pro ce d u re .
s e q u e nt
births
o wn
fi r s t
b i o lo gy ,
c hi l d
in
K e p t i gn o r a n t o f
y ou n g w o m e n f a c e d
utter
i gno ra n c e
u n k n o w n w a s f r i gh t e n i n g e n o u g h ,
po s s i bl y
p r o d uc e d
for
gr e a t e r
of
b ut
the
t he
s ub-
b e caus e of
fear
f o r p r i m i t iv e ch i l d b i rt h p ro c e d u re s di d n o t
th e kn o w n ,
ge n e ra l l y i n c l ud e a n e st h e s i a n o r w e r e t h e r e c l as s e s i n
na t u ra l
c h il d b i r th.
ne u r o l o g i s t
m e nt i o n e d
S.
Weir
in
" Th e
M i t c he l l ,
Y el l o w
p ro m i n e n t
t he
W al l p a p e r , "
w r ot e
t h a t a l t ho u gh m o s t wo m e n w o u l d e x p e r i e n c e p a i n a s "a g r i m
p r e s e n c e i n t h e i r l i v e s " ( M i t c h e l l , D Q � � Q£_ � n g _ 2� � i � D �
8 4 ) ,
t h ey
w e re
re a l i st i ca l l y
not
t r a ine d
t o
de al
with
pain
b ut " w e r e e n c o u r a ged t o r e s p o n d t o p ai n
an d s t r e s s w i t h t e a r s an d t h e e x p e c t at i o n o f e l a b o r a t e
sympathY"
wo m e n
( M i tche l l
s o u g ht
c h ron i c
Ro s enb e rg,
p a rt
of
r e f uge
t he
f a t i gue ,
an
d e pr e s si o n ,
or
of
disabl ing
W o m a n 11
6 60 )
n i n e t e e nt h
c e n tury ,
t he
of
hy s t e r i a
p ro d u c e d
s ym p t o m s
wa s
similar
"the
to
1 12
i l l ne s s
•
p ain"
Du r i n g
m o st
v a r i ed
tea rs
( S m i th­
the
first
c h a r a ct er i sti c
hys t e r i c a l
an
w it h
the tendency to
11 H y s t e r i c a 1
sympto m
m a ny
G i v e n t h e s e e x p e c t a ti o n s ,
in h y s t e ri a ,
" n e rvousne s s ,
sympt oms :
and
9 2 ).
ep i l e p t i c
'fi t , '"
w hic h
s e i z u re .
By
the
end of t he
c en t u ry ,
" p h ys i c i a n s h a d
c a t e go ri z e d
hy s ­
t e r i c al s y m p t o m s w h i c h i n cl u de d vi rt ua ll y e v e ry k n o w n
h u m an
il l " :
T h e y r a n ge d f r o m l o s s o f
al l o f t h e b o d y ,
s e n s a t i o n i n p a rt ,
l o ss o f t as t e ,
vision ,
n um b ne s s o f t h e s k i n ,
na u se a ,
h e a d ac h e s ,
spi n e
of
o r ne c k ,
"Hy s t e r i c a l
a ny
Wom an"
as
c o n t ra c t ur e
e x t re m i t y .
h e a r i ng ,
or
kne e s ,
or
hip,
p a ra l y s i s
( Sm i t h - Ros en b e r g ,
662)
So m e s y m p t o m s w e r e n o t p h ys i c a l ,
" A n h y st e r i c a l
h o w e ver .
f e m a l e c h a r a c t e r gr a d u a l l y b e g a n t o
cal
or
i n a b i l it y t o s w al l ow ,
p ai n i n t h e b r e a s t ,
a s w el l
v i rt ua l l y
smel l,
ha l f
e m e r ge "
in t he m ed i ­
l i t e ra t u re :
Do c to rs
h ighly
tic.
co m mo nl y
d e s cr i b e d
i m p re s s i o n i s t i c ,
H ighly l abile ,
d r a ma t i c a l l y ,
reasons
•
.
•
.
s u g g e st i b l e ,
and
w o m en
as
narciss is­
t h e i r m o o d s c h a n g e d s ud d e n l y ,
seem ingly
a nd f o r
[She ]
hy s t e r i c a l
w a s e go c e n t r ic
i n c o n s e q ue n t i al
in the extr e m e ,
h e r i n vo l v e m e nt w i t h ot h e r s c o ns i s t e n t l y s u p e r fi c i a l
and
t a n g e n t i al .
While
the
hys t e r i cal
a p p e a r t o p h y s i c i a n s a n d re l a t ive s a s
w om an
m i gh t
q u i t e s e x ua l l y
a r o us e d o r at t ra c t i v e , s h e w a s , d o c t o r s c a u t i o n e d ,
e s se nt i all y
a se x u a l
and
1 13
not
uncom m on ly
f r i g i d.
( S m i t h - Ro se nb e r g " H y s t e r i c a l W o m a n" 6 6 2 - 6 3 )
Fu rt h er ,
d o c to rs w e r e n o t a l w a y s
hy st e r i c a l w o m a n.
towa r d s
her
sy m p at h e t i c
tow a r d
t he
M a n y we r e " ca u st ic , i f n o t pu nit i ve"
bec ause
t h ey
were
baffl e d
by
the
i l lness
i t se l f a n d b e c a u s e th e se w o m e n " d i d n o t f u n c t i o n a s w o m e n
w e r e e x p e c t e d t o f un c t i o n ,
and
.
•
.
t he
p hy s i c i an
wh o
t r e a t e d th e m f e l t t h r ea te n e d b o t h a s a p r o f e s s i o n al a n d
r e jec ted
as a
663).
Ann
a s s e rt i o n
c ia ns
m ale"
Do u gl a s W o o d
as
she
te nded
s h i rk i n g
( S m i t h - R o s e n b er g ,
to
do me sti c
Wo m a n"
r e i t e ra t e s S mi th- R o s e n b erg' s
r e po r t s
v i ew
"Hy st e r i c a l
t h at
n i n e t e e nt h - c e n tu r y
the se
du t i es
ai l m e n t s
an d
to
as
a
c onsi der
physi­
m ean s
those
of
same
d u t i e s a s t h e i r pa t i e n t ' s c u r e , i n s t e a d o f t h e c a u s e , o f
h er il l n es s :
l evel
and
" S e l f - s a c ri f i c e
an d al t r u i s m o n a s p i ri t u a l
ch i l d b ea r i n g a n d h o u s e w o rk o n
a
more
p ra c t i c a l
o n e , c o n s t i t u t e d he al t h y f e m i n i n i t y i n t h e e y e s o f m o s t
ni n e t e e n t h- c e nt u r y A m e r i c a n s "
Bec a us e t h e y b e l iev e d
real
d i s e a se ,
of
t he
7- 8 ) .
t h a t h y s t e r ia
d o c t or s f r e qu e n t l y v i e w e d
effec ts o f t he
l i ve s
( W o od
indo l e nc e
m i d dl e
and
l e i su re
a n d up pe r
c l a s se s
m ight
not
be
a
hy s t er i a
as
th e
p r e val e nt
in
t he
or
the gruel ing
la b o r a n d s e n su a li t y su p p o s ed l y p r e v a l e n t i n t h e l i ve s o f
t h e wo r k i n g cl a s s e s.
T h e y f e l t th a t
1 1�
m o t h e r s sh o u l d d ev el -
op
in
t h e ir
do me s t i c
d aughters
du ti e s ,
a nd
s e l f - di s c i pl i n e ,
f ir m
c ont rol
of
dedication to
t h e ir
e m o t i o n s.
P h y s i c i an s a nd l ay m e n a l i k e e qu a t e d h y s t e r i a w i t h " [ e ] m o ­
t i o n a l i n d ul ge n c e ,
( S m i t h - R o se n b er g ,
S.
Weir
m o r a l w e a k n e s s and l a c k o f w i l l p o w e r "
"Hys t e r ica l
Mit chel l ,
W o m an"
667).
nam e
is the
who se
a m on g a l l o t h e r s in t he G i l m a n c a n o n ,
most
n o t ab l e
w a s o n e p hy s i c i a n
wh o n e v e r t he l e s s a p p e a r s t o h a v e b e e n g e n u i ne l y s y m p a t h e t ic
to
the
hys t e ric
cu r e w a s in
d irect
and
to
w o m e n i n g e n e ra l .
c o n t ra d i c t ion t o
t he
t r e at m e n t s o f w o m e n ' s " n e rv o u s" a i l m e nt s ,
His
p o pul ar
t ha t o f
re st
l o c al
caut er­
iz at io n o f t h e u t e r us wi th n i t ra t e o f s i lv e r or p e r h a p s
with
leeches
( Wood 4 ) .
v ix ,
p l a c ed
"on
t h e vu l v a o r n e c k o f t h e ut e r u s "
S o m e t i m es t h e s e l e e c he s w o u l d e nt e r the c e r­
a n d t h e E n g l i s h g y n o c o l o g i s t Dr .
w h o h a d a w i d e f o l l o w i ng i n A m e r i c a ,
J a m e s H e nr y Be n n e t ,
"I
w rote :
th i nk
I
hav e s c a r c e l y e v e r s e e n m o r e ac ut e pa i n t ha n t ha t e x pe ­
rie nce d
by
sev e r al
c i r cu m s t a n ce s"
ho r ro r s ,
( Be n n e t
of
my
237 ).
pat ient s
unde r
Co m pa re d
w it h
t hese
p at i e nt s w o u l d n o d o u b t w e l c o m e M i t c h e l l ' s c u r e :
W h e n h e sai d " e nti r e re s t , " he m ea nt i t .
six w ee ks ,
a nd
t hese
the p a t i e n t w a s r e m o v e d
all owed to
For s o me
from her hom e,
s e e n o on e e x c e p t t h e do c to r a n d a
1 15
hired nurse.
s he
w as
C o n f i ne d t o h e r b e d f l a t o n h e r b a c k ,
per mit t ed
n e i the r
to
re a d ,
w hi c h cov e red
da i l y .
the who le body
lasted
to
c o unte ract
a p r o lo n g e d
the
d eb i l i t at i n g
s t ay in bed.
was e x p e c t ed to eat
steadil y ,
some
an h o u r
Be c o m i n g p ro gr e s s iv e l y m o re v i g o r o u s ,
d e st i n e d
s u ch
in
T h e m as sa ge t rea t ­
c a s e s ev e n t o ri s e to u ri nat e.
ment
n or,
it
e f fe c t s
was
of
M e a n w h i l e t h e p a t i e nt
a n d g a i n w e i gh t d a i l y .
(Wood 5 )
de s c r i b e d t h e h ys t e r i c a l w o m an
Eve n M i t ch e l l , ho wev e r ,
a s r e p re s ent ative o f
the
pest s
d es pair
o f m a ny h o u s eh o l d s ,
of
p h y s i c i an s ,
a nd
w h o con s t i t ut e
wh o
a nn o y in g e xa m p l e s o f d e spo t i c
w r e c k t he
tive s,
In
wi f e
ri a :
fu r n i s h
tho se
s el f i sh n e s s ,
w hi ch
c on s t i t ut i o n s o f n u r s e s
an d
devo t e d
re l a ­
a n d in u n co n s c i o u s o r h al f- c on s c i o u s s e l f­
indulgence destroy
them .
the
t he
con fo rt
of
eve ryone
about
< L� Q��r��-�n_!h�_ni��s��§_Qf_�h �-H�rYQY§_§x§1� m
266 ;
fs�_s Dg_�lg�g
"The
Yello w
37)
W a l l pa p e r , "
a c cu ra t e l y r e fl e c t s
J ohn's
Mi t c he l l ' s
r e s t i n a n i s o l at e d p l ac e ,
no e x c i t e m e nt ,
an d
n o wo rk .
11 6
p r e s cr i p t i on
t re at m e nt
fo r
for
his
hyste­
pl e n t y o f g o o d fo o d ,
A l t h o u g h h i s to r i a n s s o m e -
tim es
te n d
to
view
phy s i c i an s '
harsh
m ed ical
p ro c e d u r e s
in d e a l i n g w i t h w o m e n ' s a i l m e n t s as i n d i c a t i v e of m al e
hostility
state
of
t o w a rd
m ed i c a l
women,
the
k n o w l e d ge
re l at iv e l y
a nd
the
ha r s h
unen l i ght e n e d
m ed i c a l
d u r e s u s e d o n b ot h
m en a n d w o m e n m u s t b e k e p t
D u ri n g
w h en
this
p r ac t ic e d ,
p e ri od
d o c to r s
" ' to r t u r e d '
n a t e l y " ( Mo ra n t z 4 7 ) .
h o s t il e
t o w ar d
r e fl e c t in g
m en
and
s o ci e t y
som e
w e re - - t h e y
instead
of
the
in m in d .
m e d i c in e
women
If p hy si c i ans we re
w o men-- and
th e i r
" he r o i c "
so - c a l l e d
proce­
wa s
i n d i scr i m i­
p articularly
w e re
p ro b a b l y
m e d ical
prof es­
s i o n p e r s e , a n d t h e s e s a m e m e n m i gh t h a v e b e e n h o s t i l e
t o w a rd w o m e n i f t he y h a d
O ne
s ym p tom
e xp e ri e n c e s
fear
of
o p en
p rot ec t e d
bic ' s
w ell
of
b y w a l l s.
c o n ce rn
w it h
sham mi n g i n s t i n c t
hy s t e r i a
into
spa c es
c h o s e n any
or
which
he r i l l n e ss
t he
o t he r p r o f e s s i o n .
ne e d
G il m an ' s
is
to
a go r a p h o b i a ,
fe e l
W i l l i a m J a m e s l ik e ne d
re m a i n i ng
nar ra tor
i ndoo r s
to
e nc l os e d
th e
the
the
and
agor a p h o ­
" d e a th ­
sh own b y m any a ni m a l s " and l ik e ned t h e
a g o r ap h o b i c ' s "t e r r o r a t t he s i g h t o f any o p en pl a ce o r
b r o ad s t r e e t w h i c h h e h a s t o c r o s s a l o n e " t o t h e w a y t h a t
"m a n y w i l d a n i m al s , e sp e c i a l l y ro d e n t s , c l i ng t o c ov e r ,
an d o n l y v e nt u r e o n a da s h a c r o s s th e o p e n a s a d e s p e r a t e
m e a su r e "
( 2 : 42 1 -422 ) .
Gi l l i a n
1 17
Brown c onsid ers this
p h en o m en o n
"A m e r i c a n
a
s ym p to m
economic
of
the
l i fe "
c o n di t i o n s
(136)
in
her
s u r ro un d i n g
di s c u s s i o n
of
B a r t l e b y ' s a go r a p h o b i a :
w ha t i n h i b i t s t h e a go ra ph o b e i s t h e c o m m e r c e t h a t
i n ha b i ts
c o ur s e
A m er i c an l i fe
w h en
outside
•
the
•
•
T h e a g o raph o b i c
•
house
to the
re­
p r o t e c t i on
i n t e rio r s o r co m p an i o ns o r s hi e l d i n g e d i f ic es
of
rep r e ­
s e n t s a n e ffort to ret ain t h e st a b i l ity a nd s e cur i ty
o f t he
Lat e
in
her
tendency"
ra t or
p ri v a t e
s p he re .
i l lne ss
( Gi l man
deve lo ps
10)
(136)
a ft e r
has
he r
b e co me
a go r a p h o b i a .
in s an it y ,
Ear l y
room
b e gi n s to
I 'm
( 12).
As
the
st ory
in
hy s t e ric a l
G i l m an ' s n ar ­
the
story
( 1 1 ) a nd d oes
s p e a k s o f t h e "s!� .lj.Q.1 .Q .lHl g a r d e n "
her
"sl ight
p r o gr e s s e s ,
not
she
l i ke
howeve r ,
she
r ea l ly get t i n g qui t e f o nd of t he b i g r oo m ,
al l
en j o y i t :
b u t t ha t h o r ri d p a p e r ( 1 5 ) ; I ' m g et t i n g r e a l l y f o n d
of
t he
..Q� .Q�.Yll�
roo m
in
o f t he
spite
of
w al l - p a p e r
t he
w a l l - p ape r.
Pe rhaps
( 1 9).
A t t hi s p o i n t i n t h e s t o r y th e n a r ra t o r i s s t i l l w a l k i ng
" a l i t t l e i n t he
ga r d e n o r d o w n
that lo v e ly l ane " ( 1 9 ) ,
but at t h e e nd of the s t o ry a f t e r she h as i d e n t i f i e d w it h
t he w o m a n b e h i n d t h e w a 1 1 p a p e r ,
1 18
s h e e xc 1 a i m s :
yo u d o n ' t
g e t .m � [ G i l m a n ' s e m p h a s i s ]
It
the re !
grea t
roo m
a nd
is
to g o ou t s i d e .
to.
[In
( 35 )
pl e a s a nt
to
be
out
in
cre ep a r ound as I p l e ase !
w a nt
this
so
out in the r o a d
I w on ' t ,
room ]
.
this
I d o n't
e v e n if J e n n i e a s k s m e
I
c a n no t
lose
my
w a y"
•
A t t h i s p o i n t t h e n a r r a t o r i s g u i d e d a r o u n d t h e ro o m b y a
m a r k s h e h a s ma d e on t h e w a l l w i t h h e r s h o ul d e r .
F r e e d o m t o p r o d u c e h e r o w n s el f , h e r t h o u gh t s , i n ­
s t ea d o f fit t i n g he rse lf t o a c ir cui t o us mar k on t h e w al l
mi g h t
h av e
]:..Q.QnQ �],.Q � .
e n s ur ed
t he n a r r a t or ' s
G i l m a n w r ite s
t h at
I n H Q��n_gng
sa ni t y .
" [ e ] c ono m i c
p ro d u ct i o n
t h e n a t u r a l e x p r e s s i o n of h u m a n e n e r g y " a n d t h a t
d es i re
to
ma k e ,
for m ,
' ju st
d i st i n gu i s h i ng
cries
the
t o e x p r e s s t he i n ne r
fo r
the
w o rk ' s
c ha r a c t e r
ch ild ,
of
W a l t e r Be n n M i c h a e l s n ot e s ,
sak e'
h u m a n it y .
d ema nding t he
t h o u g ht
'I
pe n c i l"
w an t
her
w r it i n g ,
in
"the
in
o ut e r
is
the
to
mark ! '
( 1 1 6-1 1 7).
As
i t i s c r u c i a l t o t he n a r r a to r
o f " T h e Ye l l o w Wal l p a p ae r " t o mak e h e r m a rk ,
f or
is
or d e r
that
s he
a s yn o n ym
e s t ab l i sh
her
ide nti t y :
If t he threat of
hy s t e r i a
is
t h e t h r e a t of
lo si n g
se l f - c o n t r o l , o f s o m e t i m e s b e c o m i n g s o m e o n e e l s e ,
1 19
t h e p o i n t o f m a rk i n g i s t o p ro d u c e e v i d e n ce t h at y o u
a re
s t i l l t h e s am e p e r s o n .
r e m i nd e r
such
t h at
reminders
a l i z e s.
you,
en fo rc e s
is a conti nual
and the
the
production
id ent i t y
it
of
m e m o ri ­
F ro m t h i s p e r s p e c t i ve , t h e h y s t e r i c a l w o m an
e m bo d i es
al s o
y o u are
Y o u r ma rk
not
only
t he
t h e c o n n e c t i on
e c o n o m ic
bet we e n
primacy
of
th e e c o n o m i c
wo r k
b ut
p ri m ac y o f
w o r k an d t h e p h i l o s o p h i c a l p r o b l e m o f p e r s on a l
i d en ­
T h e e c ono mi c qu e s t i on - - Ho w d o I p r o d u c e m ys el f ?
tity.
- - a n d t he t he r a p e u t i c q u e s t i on - - H o w d o I s t ay m ys e l f ?
- - fi n d
t i on ,
their
How
do
p a r al l e l
I k no w
in
th e
e p i s te m o l o gi c a l
m y se 1 f ?--o r
m o re
que s -
s p eci fica ll y,
a s J a m e s p u t s it , H o w d o I k n o w t o da y t h at " I a m t h e
s a m e s e l f t h at I w a s y e s t e rd a y " ?
( M i c ha e l s 7 )
B y t h e t i m e t h e na r r a t o r h a s b e c o m e a g o r a p h o b ic ,
been
d en ie d
he r w r i t i n g ,
"t h e
power of
l a n gu a ge
[ he r ] v i s i o n " ( Li d o f f
1 1 0 ) - - h e r " m ar k i n g "
p ut s
have
i t - - that
m ight
ensur e d
sh e h a s
the
p r e s e rv at i o n o f a m o re n o r m a l id e n t i ty .
t o s hap e
a s M i c hae l s
f o r mat ion
S ti l l ,
an d
she find s
a w a y t o m a k e h e r m a rk a n d t h e r e b y k e e p h e r n e w i d e n t i t y :
"Bu t
here
I
c an
creep
smoothl y
on
the
f l oo r ,
and
my
s h o u l d e r j u s t f i t s i n t h a t l o n g s m o o c h a ro u n d t h e w a l l ,
s o I c a nn o t l o s e m y w a y" ( G i lm an 3 5 ) .
1 20
F o r we e k s s h e h a s
cr e p t al o n g t h e w a l l ,
m ak i n g h e r m a r k ,
u n t i l h e r s h oul d e r
ha s fo r m e d h e r v e ry o w n i d e n t i f i ab l e l i n e ,
on t h e wa 1 1 ,
a f ac t
that
had
h e r s i g n a t u re ,
cau s ed J e n n i e
n a t i o n w h e n s h e f o un d y e l l o w d y e f r o m
som e
con ster­
the p a pe r on the
n a r ra t o r ' s c l o t h e s e a r l i e r i n t h e s t o r y .
W i t h he r
shou l­
d e r f i t t i n g i n t o h e r m a rk , s h e i s c o n s t a n t l y a w a r e o f h e r
id e n t i t y a s th e w o m a n w h o c a m e
i de n t i f i c at i on w ith or
f r o m b e h i n d t he
wal l p a p er ,
a b izarre
b u t o n e s h e m ad e h e r v e ry o w n
m a rk
on
t he
w al l
over
as
the
sh e
id e n t it y ,
i nd e e d ,
re p e a t e d l y m ad e
p re c e di n g
d ays
and
her
week s.
T h e n a r r a t o r ' s a s s um p ti on of a n a l t e r n a t e i d e nti t y
i mp l i es
an
unde rdeve loped
boundari e s ,
even
sense
of
ego ,
or
w e ak
ego
o n e o f th e e ff e c t s o f s o m e wo m e n ' s u p br i n gi n g
that
t o d ay
can
add
to
a wo m an ' s d i f f i c u lt y i n
e s t a b l i s h i n g a n id en t i t y o f h e r o wn .
Al t h o u gh b o t h se x e s
m u s t s e p a ra t e t h e ms e l v e s f r o m the i r o n e n e s s w i t h t h e i r
m o t h e r s i n o r d e r t o fo r m t h e i r o w n s e p a r a t e p e rs o n al i ­
tie s ,
gi rl s a p p a re nt ly
have
e f f e c t i n g i n d i v i d u a l i z a ti o n
expl a i ns t he
Gir l s ,
ence
m o r e d i f f i c u lt y t h a n b o y s i n
( V e e de r
14).
C a ro l
G il l i ga n
r e a s o n s fo r t h i s d i f f e r en c e :
in
i de nt i f y in g t h em s el v e s
t h e m s e l v e s a s l ike
t he i r
t h e experie nce of attachm ent
1 21
a s f e m al e ,
experi­
m o th e r s ,
th u s
w i th
p r o ce s s
th e
fus i n g
of
i d e n t i t y fo r m ati on
' mo re
e m p h at i c
firming
of
m a l e d e v e l o p m e n t e n t a il s a
.
t he
e go
an d
a
mo re
d efe ns i v e
bou n d a ri e s ' .
Fo r
i s s u e s o f fe m i n i n i t y o r f e m i n i n e
de p e n d o n t h e ac hi e v e m e nt o f s e p a ra ­
m ot he r o r
( G il l ig a n
Fur t he r m o r e ,
.
exp erie nced
id ent i t y d o not
ua t i o n .
•
in d i v i d u a t i o n
g i r l s an d w o m e n ,
tion from
.
on the
p r o g re s s o f i n d i v i d -
7- 8 )
r e l a t e s t h at " g i r l s em e rg e f ro m
G i l l i ga n
the ir
t h i s p e r i o d w i t h a b a s i s fo r ' e m p a t h y ' b u i l t i n t o
prim ary
ha v e
d e f in i t i o n
probl em s
the n ,
with
of
se lf"
i n d i v i du a t i o n"
l ike their bro t he rs ,
t he i r m o t h e r s i n o rd e r
un l i k e
th e i r
t o fo rm
bro th e r s ,
mot her s.
s y m p a t hy
fo r
In
t he y
o rd e r
so meone ,
( Gi l l i g a n
8).
to
Girls,
m u s t de t a c h t h e m s el v e s f r o m
c o m p l et e l y b e c a u se t h e y m us t
t he i r
a n d t h a t " fe m al e s t e nd
t he i r o w n
c a nno t
i de n t i t i e s ,
d e t ac h
t h em s elve s
l e a r n t he i r f e m i n i ni ty
to
f eel
e mp a thy
a w o m an m u s t
b ut
ra the r
be a b l e
to
f ro m
th an
pla ce
h e r s e l f m e n t a l l y i n th e o t h e r p e r s o n ' s si t u a t i o n a n d t o
f e e l w h a t t h e s u f fe r i n g o ne m u s t b e fe e l in g ,
an a ct ion
t h at
I t m a y be
o f t e n a c co m p a n i e s t h e n u r t ur i n g in s t in c t .
that w o m e n f r e q uentl y p o s s ess t h i s qua l i ty
than m en d o
t ha t
perm it
be c a u se
them
to
mo r e o f t en
t h e y d o h a v e w e ak e r e g o b o u n d a r i e s
mo ve
a roun d
1 22
and
m e rge ,
at
l e ast
m e nt a l l y , w i t h t h ei r f e l l o w h u m a n b e i n g s .
wo m an ' s b i o l o g i c a l
f or m i n g a n d
m ak e u p c a n a d d t o
h e r d if f i c ul t i e s
pr e gnan c y ,
( C ho d o r o w
( m e n s t ru a t i o n ,
chi l d bi r t h , l a c t a t i on )
c ha l l e n g e s
to
th e
w he n a
y o un g
a p a r t f r o m h e r b ro t h e r s .
was
p leas ant ,
t a ug h t
in
.
coi t us ,
all involve
.
the
body
ego.
59)
gi r l
c a p a b l e o f p r o d u c i n g a ch i l d ,
not
•
b o und a r y o f
W o m a n's b o dy is a h o s t to other b o di e s.
of p ube rty
a
m a in t a i n i n g a n i d e n t i t y :
W o m a n ' s b i o s e x u a l e x p e r i e n c es
som e
I n a d d i t i on ,
fo r h e r
that
she
W i th t h e o n s e t
that
knows
he r
body
is
s h e f e e l s di f f e r e nt , s e t
I n t h e p a st t h i s d i f f e r e n c e w as
ac t i v it i e s we r e
m u st
b ehav e
c u r t a i l ed
l ik e
a
a nd
litt l e
she
l ad y.
Be i n g a l a d y f r e q ue n t l y m e a n t s t a n d i n g o n t h e s i d e l i ne s
lookin g
on
while
her
bro th e rs
en j o yed
li fe.
She
m u st
c o n s e r v e h e r e n e r g i e s " fo r t h e f u l l d e v e l o p m e n t o f h e r
ute rus
and
P e ne t ra t i on
o va r ie s"
o f her
( S m it h - R o s e n b e r g ,
body by her
" Pu be rt y"
27 ) .
hu s b an d d u r i n g coi tu s ,
h o s t i n g a n o t h e r b o d y d u r i n g p r e gn a n c y a n d t h e n l a t e r i n a
di f f e r e nt
w ay
during
l ac ta t i o n ,
and
ai d h e r b o d y du ri n g c h i l d b i r t h a l l
a
t he
h e l p l e ssne ss
wo rk t oget he r t o
m ak e
w o m a n a l s o f e e l s h e h a s n o c o n t r o l ov e r h e r b o d y ;
t he
mer c y o f o th e r s du r i n g m uc h o f h e r l i fe ,
1 23
to
at
s h e h as no
r e a l i d e n t i t y e x c ep t a s s o m e o ne ' s s i s t e r ,
t er ,
so m e o n e 's
t io nal"
" [ t ]he
as
wife,
som eo ne ' s
m o re
u s ual
g o th i c
d e fi n e s
f e ar s o f n o t h i ng n e s s ,
all ,
Thi s
of
o f s e xu a l p e ne t r a t i on "
f re q u e n t ly
re fl e c t s
th e
hidden
c on ce r n s
m o t h e r - - G i l m a n ' s " p re p o s i -
A s No r m a n N .
re l a t i o n s h i p s .
s o m e o ne ' s d a u g h ­
Hol l a n d o b se rve s,
i t s h e roi n e 's
vu l n e rabi l i t y ,
( Hol la nd
theme
i n w om e n ' s
in
a n xi e t i e s
and,
abov e
a nd S herman 2 2 0 ) .
gothic
l i t e rat u re
live s .
I n d i s c u s s i n g b o t h G il m an ' s a n d h e r h e r o i ne ' s w e a k
eg o
bo u n da r i e s ,
e x t re m e l y o p e n
al s o
" fe lt
Vee d er
to
not e s that G il m an her sel f " w as
re l a t i o n s h i p s " a s a c h i l d a n d
ex t r e m e ly
vu l n e r a b l e
to
t ha t
d i s i n t e g ratio n"
G i l m a n ' s o w n f a t h e r w a s a b s e n t fr o m t he h o me ,
she
(42 ).
an d h e r
m o t h e r w a s s t r i c t a n d u n d e m o n s t r a t i v e i n h e r l o v e fo r h e r
d a u gh t e r .
T h e n a r r a to r i n "T h e Y e l l o w
e d ly p o s s e s s e s
Wal l p ap e r "
w e ak e g o b ou n d a r i e s a l s o .
un d o u b t -
O n e e v id e nc e
is
t h e unusual aff i n i t y s h e r e p o r ts fee li ng f or the fur n i­
t ure in h e r r o o m w h e n sh e w a s
a ch ild.
S he a l s o
pe rson­
ifie s t he wal lpaper :
I g e t p o s i ti v e l y a n gr y w i t h t h e i m p e r t i n e n c e of i t
an d t h e e v e r la sti ngn e s s.
t h ey c r aw l ,
ev e ry whe re
•
U p a n d d o w n a n d s i d e w a ys
a nd t ho s e a b s u rd ,
•
•
u nb l i n ki n g e ye s a r e
.I n e v e r s a w s o m u c h e x p r e s s i o n i n
1 24
a n i n a n i m at e t h i n g b e f or e ,
e xp r e s s i o n t h e y h a v e !
She
t he n wa n d e r s
a n d we
( Gi l ma n ,
a l l k n ow h o w
TYW ,
b a c k i n h e r m e m or y to
t he k no b s o f o u r b i g ,
o l d b u re a u u s e d t o
m uch
16)
t h e " k i n d l y w i nk
ha v e " an d t o t h e
c h a i r t h a t a l w a y s s e e m e d l i k e a s t r on g f r i e nd .
" on e
I
us e d t o f e e l t h a t i f a n y o f t h e o t h e r t h i n g s l o o k e d t o o
fi e r c e I
( 1 7)
could
a l w a y s ho p
in t o
that c h a i r and be safe"
•
O ne
p a r en t ' s
i n s t e ad
expe c t s
a
l ap
s afety,
for
person
w i t h a chai r .
to
b ut
re m e mb e r
the
ho pping
into
a
n a r r a to r
id en t i f ie s
I t i s i n t e re s t i n g t h at
t h e n a r ra ­
t o r' s p a r e n t s a r e v i rt u al ly a b s e n t fro m h e r s t o r y .
Al l
family
her
m em b ers
are
m e nt i on ed
b r o t h e r i s a p hy s i c i an ,
except
her
fat her:
an d he r m o t h e r a c c o m p a n i e s s i s t e r
N e l l y a n d he r c h i l d r e n o n o n l y o n e v i s i t .
This mother
t h e n a b s e nt s h e r s e l f ,
f ro m h e r i l l
fo r w h a t e v e r r e a s o n s ,
d a u g h te r j u s t a s t h a t d a u gh t e r a b s e n t s h e rs e l f f r o m h e r
yo u n g s o n .
F e m i n in i t y a n d m o t h e r i n g a r e l e a r n e d f r o m t h e
mo t h er .
S t u di e s
abus ing
parents
m ot h eri ng r ol e
ha v e
an d
shown
that
that
even
ab u s e d
c h i ld r e n
a ni m al s
c hi l d
m u st
m o d e l s i f t h ey a r e t o k n o w h o w t o
Th i s i s n o t t o s a y t h a t t h e n a r r a t o r h a s b e e n
nec e ss a r il y ,
but perhaps
1 25
b ee o m e
h av e
mother.
an a b us e d
sh e w a s a ne g l ec t e d c h i l d .
Fo r
so m e
rea so n
rel at e d t o
the
m o t h er s h e is
even
as
a
c hi l d
fu r n i t u r e i n h e r
sh e
ro o m ;
p e rs o n i f i ed
and
n o w a s a y o un g
re b e l l i n g a g a i n s t m o t h e rh o o d
and for m i n g a
s y m b i ot i c r e l at i o n s h i p w i t h h e r w a l l p a p e r i n s t e a d of w i t h
h e r ba b y .
F u r t h e r mo re , h e r f a t h e r i s p o i n t e d l y a b s ent
fro m
the
story,
o ut .
T h e se
and
h e r m o t he r
p o i nt s i n
p a r t o f Fl e e n o r ' s
the
s to r y
bre e z e s in
an d
bre ezes
f u l f i 11
ir o n i c a l l y
the
fif th po i nt t ha t s t at e s t hat wo m e n ' s
go t h i c " r e f l e c t s a p a t r i a r c h a l p a r a d i g m t h a t w o m e n a r e
m o t he r l e s s ,
yet
In
fathered."
c ase
this
Jo hn
an d
t he
n a r ra t o r ' s p h y s i c i a n - b r o t h e r a p p e a r a s f a t h e r f i gu r e s ,
and
fo r a l l
p ra ct i c a l
p u r p o s e s t he r e
i s n o m o t h e r f i gu r e
p re s e nt .
It i s ,
of
fem ale
howe ve r ,
i d e nt i t y
i m p o s si b l e t o d i s c u ss t h e f o r m at i o n
wit hout
d i s c u s si n g
d a u g h t e r b o n d i n gr e a t e r d e t a i l .
A
also
the
m ot her ­
gi r l m u s t i de n ti fy
w i t h h e r m ot h e r ,
y e t a s st a t e d e a r l i e r ,
s he m u s t s e p a r a t e
he r s el f
m o th e r
h e r o w n i d en t i t y .
fr o m
her
e n o u gh t o f o r m
R e fe r ri n g t o C h o do ro w ' s t he o r i e s
T o m o t h e r m a t u re l y ,
s uf f i c ie n tl y
e m p a t hi c a l l y
G a r d i ne r
st a t e s :
a w o m a n m u s t d e ve l o p a n i d e n t i t y
flexib l e
with
agai n ,
he r
that
c h i ld
a nd
she
sti ll
a d ul t s e ns e o f he r s e l f a s nu rt u r i n g y e t
126
can
m er ge
r e t ain
an
ind epe nde nt.
•
•
l ea rn i ng to b e a m o t h e r
•
e xp e r i e n c e
as
o ne ' s
on e se l f
own
a s o n e 's
c a r ing
•
•
ow n
mot her
•
l ea r ni n g t o
[is]
c ar e d - f o r
while
ch i l d
and
s i m u l t a ne o u s ly
l e a r n i n g t o e x p e ri e n c e o n e ' s c r e a t i o n a s o t h e r , a s
s e p a rate
Tti s
f r o m t he s e l f .
di s c u s s i o n
of
( 35 6-357 )
the
i m po rta n ce
d a u g h t e r b o n d i n t h e fo r m a t i o n o f t h e
of
the mother­
f e ma l e
b r i n g s t h e g o t h i c n o v e l b ac k i n t o fo c u s ,
p e r s on al i t y
f o r t he go t h i c
h e r o i ne i s u su al l y m o t h e r l e s s b u t i s t h e w a r d o f a w i ck e d
s t e p m o t h e r o f s o r t s.
of
her
A unt
Rad cl iff e ' s
Re e d,
E m i ly
might
m o t he r
find
who
fo r e xa m p l e ,
a
un l o v i ng
harsh,
at
the
m e rcy o f
I n t h e g o th ic ,
w i ck e d M o n to ni .
"one
is
Ja n e E y r e ,
•
.
should
her
aunt
be
tr ust ed
an d
a s e xu a l
a t t i t ud e
t o w a rd t he m o t h e r i s a d i r e c t
at t e m p t
to
aw ay
her
from
and
a nd
the
as L e on a S he r m a n n o t e s ,
s h o u l d n o t " ( Ho l l a n d a n d S h e r m a n 2 2 8 ) .
pull
w o m an ,
tw o v e r si o n s o f m o t h e r :
•
i s t h e w ard
mother
a n ur t u r i n g
m o th e r
w ho
This a mbi valent
re su l t o f a g i r l ' s
to
fo r m h e r o w n
i d e n t i t y wh i l e at t he s a m e t i m e e m u l at i n g h e r t o f o r m h e r
f e m a l e nes s .
at t h e h e a rt
J u l i a n n F le en o r
of
t he
t h e a l l - p o w e rf u l ,
F e m al e
wr ite s
Go t hi c
[is]
d e vo u ri n g m o t h e r " :
1 27
th a t
" th e
c on f l i c t
t h e c o nf l i c t w i t h
T h i s m a t e r na l f i gur e i s al s o a d o u b le , a tw i n p e r ­
h ap s ,
Fo r t he m o t he r r ep re ­
to the wo ma n h e r s e l f.
se n t s w h a t th e wo m a n w i l l b e c o m e i f s h e h e e d s h e r
se xual
se l f ,
if
s he
he e d s
the s e lf
who
s e e ks
t he
p o w e r t h a t co m e s w i t h a c t i n g a s t h e m o t h e r , a n d i f
s h e b e co m e s
T he
p re gn a n t .
a m b iv a l e n c e s
s u r r o un d i n g
aw e s ome f igure ar e in p a r t
t h e co n f l i c t w i t h th i s
s h ap e d b y t he t w o f o l d k n o w l e d ge t h a t t o b e co m e t h e
m other
is
un w i l l i n g
p o pularity
to
b e c om e
victi m
of
of
t he
the
o ne ' s
Go t h i c
r e a d e r s a pp e a r s t o e x i s t
th i s
of
c o n f r on t a t i o n
da u gh t e r .
The
m ay
l o v e - h at e
be
with
fe mal e e x i s t en c e ,
•
for
•
one
the
own
a nd
d is c uss i o n
by
. [T ] he
body.
wom en
w rit ers
of
the
c e nt ra l
r e l at i on s h i p o f
and
e ni g m a s
m o t h e r a nd
1 6)
r e l a t i o ns h i p b e t w e e n m o t h e r s
a ls o
perhaps
b e c a u s e i t e xp r e s s e s
.
( lh�-E� ��1 �-�Qtbi�
cla rified
D e L am o t t e ' s
p a s si ve
a n al y s i s
on t h e H i d d e n
a n d d augh te r s
of
Eug enia
Wom an i n t he
C.
goth ic
g e n r e a l t ho ugh D e L a m o t t e s p e ak s o n l y o f " w o m a n " a n d n o t
of
" m o t h e r. "
Wom an,
T hi s
H i d d en
lo n g s u f f e r i n g a n d
W o m an
ang el ic ,
an d / o r d e at h w a s un m e r i t e d " o r
128
s he
c an
be
w ho s e
m ay b e
a
"Good
O t he r
i mp ri s o n m ent
an " Ev i l Ot her
Wo m a n ,
w ho
got
e it h e r d e a d ,
r e ve l at i o n
( selfi s h)
b ad
be
mo re
no
t han
d e s e rv ed
m o th e r ,
sins
u s ua l l y i m p l i c a t e s
a bad
as
t wo
Th e s e t wo H i d de n
c o n t r a ry
a sp e c t s
of
O t h e r Wo m a n ,
its
o r Bad
Mo t h er ,
to
oth er s .
a
bad
W o rn e n m a y
wo m a n ' s
or
at t e n t i o n t o
i nstead
f rigi d i ty.
but t he Evil
a s p e c t s i n d i ca t e
r e c ogn i ti o n of
im pli cat ion s
a s e x ua l i t y
The
T h e G o o d O t h e r W o m a n , o r t h e Go o d M o t h e r ,
a s o p pos e d t o s e l f l e s s n e ss ,
at t en t i on
no w
an d / o r a
eve ry
a s p e c ts o f t h e p e rs on a l i t y c a n b e a d m i r e d ,
all
is
h e r as
( un d u t i f u l ) d a u g h t e r ,
( s e xu a l ) w o m a n " ( 5 ) .
p e r so n a l i ty .
to
and
o r so r ry f o r h e r s i n s an d a b ou t t o d ie .
o f t h e se
view ed
she
To
of
fa c e
s e lf
s e l f i s h ne s s
as
opposed
h e r s e x u al i t y a n d
t he
and
as sum p t i on
of
ac c e p t the Ev il
O t he r W o m an o r Ba d Mo th e r q u a l it i e s w i th in h e r s e l f m a Y
n o t h a v e b e e n p o s si b 1 e f o r m a n y w o m e n .
Yet , t o b e a 1 w ay s
l o n g s u f f e r i n g an d a n g e l i c a s i s T h a c k e r a y ' s A m e l i a ,
e xample ,
m ea nt to b e
l ik e
n o t h i n g , t o h av e n o r e a l i d e n t i t y
G i l m a n ' s n a r r a to r e x p e r i e n c e s c on f li c t a s
o r sel fh o o d .
sh e ,
fo r
her
s o ci e t y ,
e q u a t e s f o rm a t i o n o f s e l f w i t h
s e l f i s h n e s s an d a b d ic a t i o n o f s e l f h o o d- - a l w ay s c o n c u r r i ng
with
J o h n' s
o pi ni o n s - - w i t h
a v e r s i n a l at e r c h a p t e r ,
desi res
an a c ti ve
s e x u al
s el f l e s s n e s s .
on e a s p e c t o f
1 if e ,
1 29
a
need
As
her
s h e m ay
th i s
s t udy
be ing a l so
i nt e r p r e t
a s e v i l . T h e g o t h i c n o v e l w h i c h p o r t r a y e d e vi l ,
s e n s u al
w o m e n w h o r e c e i v e d t h e i r j u s t p u n i s h m e n t an d t h e v i n d i ca t i on
of
as
c at h a r s i s
a
t h e good
b ut
fo r
m i s un de r st o o d
t h es e w om e n .
s afet y o f
By
m a y ha ve
acted
re a d i ng t h e s e b o o k s ,
vic ario usl y y e t return to
t hey c ou l d e x p e ri e nc e " e v i l "
t he
w o man
th e i r r e s t r i c t e d l iv e s u ns c at h e d .
One c l u e t h a t t h e g o t h i c s e r v e d a s a c at h a rs i s f o r
both its
f e m al e
reade rs a n d
wo m e n a u t h or s '
b et w e e n m e n a n d
b li s s
as
a
f a c to r i n
u s u al l y r e f l e c t ed
m a r i ta l
bl iss
go
if
mad
is
t h e d i f fe r e n c e
p o r t ra y a l s o f m ar i ta l
Ma 1e
m a d ne s s .
i m p r e s s i on s
of
a ut h o r s h a v e
t h e i mp o r t a n c e
of
fo r w o m e n b y h av i n g t h e i r w o me n c h a r a c t e r s
t h ey
a nd F l e t c he r ' s
a few
female
their
are
Eurip id es ' M ed ea ,
G o et h e ' s
w r it e rs
of
dom est i c
D i c ke n s '
Ja i l e r ' s D au gh t er ,
of
and
F a u l k n er ' s
male
w rite rs'
f el i city .
S h ak e s p e a r e
S h ak e s p e a r e ' s O p h e l i a ,
G r et c h e n ,
e xa m p l e s
de p r i v e d
H a v i s ha m ,
E mi l y G r i e r s o n
c on cep t s
of
a r e b ut
I
f e m al e
m ad -
n e s s , a n d i n e a c h i n s t a n c e , t h e m a d n e s s c o m e s o n al l a t
once as a
direct
re s u l t
of
d e p r i v at i on
d e p r iv a t i o n o f m a r i t a l f e l i c i t y ,
p rin cip l e .
yo u n g e r
J a son
m istress;
th r ea t e n s
O p he l i a
or
l o s s o f t h e d e s ir e d m a l e
to
aban d on
s uf f e r s
t he
M ed e a
double
m a r i t a l b l i s s w i t h Ha m l e t a n d t h e a p p r o v a l
1 30
a nt i c i p a t ed
fo r
loss
a
of
a n d l o s s of
h e r fa t h e r ;
t h e Ja i l e r ' s
D a u gh t e r ,
qu i t e d
for Pal amon,
co m m i t s
sh a m ,
lo ve
r e j e c t e d a t the al t ar ,
m u r e d r e c l u s e ; G re t c h en ,
only any h ope
s u ff e r i n g f r o m
suic id e ;
u nre-
Di ck e ns ' H a v i ­
b ec o m e s a p e r m a nen tl y i m ­
a b a n d o n e d b y F a u st , l o s e s
o f mar i tal
b l is s b ut
lo ses
her
not
brot h er ,
k il l s h e r i nf ant , a n d d e g e ne r at e s i nt o a p r o t e ct i v e i n ­
sa ni t y ;
a nd E m il y b ec o m e s a r e c l u s e ,
m u r de re s s ,
wo m an,
p resum ably beca use
wi l l
he r
man
a l t a r an d i n t e n d s t o l e a v e h e r .
a n d m ad ­
no t g o
to
the
T h e s e w om e n c r ea ted by
m a l e a ut ho r s g o rn a d a l m o s t i n a n i n s t a n t b e c a u s e t he y a r e
de nied
m a r i t a l b l is s .
Ap p a r e n t l y ,
t he r e f o re ,
m en consid-
e re d m a r i t al f e l i c i t y n e c e s s a ry f o r a wo m an ' s re a l h a p p i ­
ness ;
t he l o s s
of
h e r m a n w as
e nough t o dr ive
a w o m an
i n st a n t l y .
i n s a ne
C ha r a c t e r s c r e a t e d
b y f e m al e
au t h o r s ,
h owev er ,
h a ve
fr e q u e n t l y b e e n d r i v e n m a d b y t h e d u l l n e s s o f d o m e s t i c
T h e y d o n o t fi t c o m fo r t a b l y i n t o t h e i r r o l e s a s
b l i s s.
calm ,
r es i g ne d
in c l u d e
Do r is
the
wi ve s
n a rra t o r
Le ssing' s
an d
in
Specific
m o t he rs.
G i l m an ' s
p ro t a g o n i s t
"The
in
"To
Y el l o w W a l lpap e r , "
Room
C h o p i n ' s h e r o i n e i n 1 h � - A � � k � DlD� ( i f ,
ma d ) ,
and
G l or i a
Steine m ' s
mo ther
(B e c a u s e S h e C o uld No t S i n g I t ) . "
131
e x amp l es
219,"
in d e ed ,
in
K at e
sh e w a s
"R uth's
Song
C o n t r a r y t o a p at e r-
n al i s t i c s o c i e t y ' s v i e w s ,
g ra d u a l l y ,
e a c h of t h e se
n o t i n s t a nt l y a s
t h e i r m ad n e s s i s
a
re s u l t
t i t y o f t he i r o w n ,
w o m e n go e s m a d
ma l e a u t ho r s
o f th e
l a ck o f
an d
portray,
any
rea l
i d e n­
n o t b e c a u s e t he y a r e d e n i e d m ar i t a l
b l i s s b u t a s a d i re c t r e s u l t o f t h e i r a t t a i n m e n t o f i t .
Be i n g a
"m i r r o r i ma ge " w h i ch
p r in c i p a l ' s l i f e a n d vi e w s
o w n se l v e s .
to them ,
m e r e l y r e f l e c t s t he m a l e
m e a n s t h e s u b l i m a t i on o f t h e i r
T he y a t t e m p t t o c o pe in the ro l e s a s si g n e d
b u t u lt i m at e l y o ne of
fi n e s a h u m a n b e i n g ,
own s e lfhood ,
Una b l e
the
e m p l o ys
he r s e l f
an d
her
he r
he r
ca s t l e
c u l t u re ,
own
or
as
w hat
th i s
study
"t h e p ri m a r y m o t i va t i n g f e a r
o r n o ns e p ar at i o n "
i m p o r ta n t
to
(220 ).
th e h e r o i n e
s e l f ho o d ,
r oom
a nn i h i l a t i o n .
(220 ).
The
i m m e d i a t el y
The r e
has
in
nar rat or
feels
in
go t h i c
b e c a u se
" in
of
132
ment ion s
bot h
in
t he
is
of
th u s
far :
no t h i n g n e s s
t h at t h e c a s t l e
the c a s tl e ,
yo u
is
can
a l o ng w i t h t h e t h r e at
exi s t s
"T he Y e ll o w
som e s o rt
go t h i c
sy mb o l iz e
i l l u st rated
S he bel ieves
l i fe
t he
F ur t h e r , Le o n a S h e r ma n
h av e t h e m e r g i n g a n d t h e ot h e r n e s s ,
of
to
F l e en o r
se c o n d p o i n t o f h e r d e f i n i t i o n .
r e i t e r at e s
that de ­
an d t h e y c a n n o t .
re c o gn i z e
h er o i n e
laws
r e c o g n i z e o ne ' s v e r y
ne e d t o
in t e r f e re s ,
to
the b a sic
on
the
b o u n da ry"
W al l p ap e r"
affini t y
a l m o st
fo r the h o u s e
to
which
she
is
taken.
est ate " ( Gil man 9 ) ,
She
re a li z e s
it
is
"a
h er ed i t a r y
p er ha p s a m et a p h o r f o r t he p a t r i a r ­
c h a l s o c i e t y i n w h i c h sh e l i v e s , b u t s h e a l m o s t r e v e l s i n
i t s s t r a ng e ne s s , p e r h a p s a m e t a p h o r fo r h e r o w n m i n d :
"I
w i l l p r o u d l y d e c l are t h e r e i s so met h i n g q u e e r abo ut i t "
(9).
ev e n ,
S h e w a nt s t h e h ou s e to b e e v en m o r e q ue e r , h a u nt e d
a n ot h e r
in di cati on
that
m i n d an d t h a t s h e d oe s n o t ,
it
m ay
b e e qu at e d w i t h h e r
a t l e ast on o n e l e v e l ,
wish
t o l i v e i n a n o r m a l ho u s e o r t o e x p e ri e n c e t h e w o r ld i n a
n or mal w ay .
P e r h a p s s he i s h a un t e d b y h e r un fu l f i l l e d
se l f .
At first
t h e n a r r a t o r d o e s n o t l ik e
t he l a r ge u p ­
s t a i r s nu r s e r y t h a t J o h n h a s d e c re e d w i l l b e t h e i r b e d ­
r o o m , a n d s h e d i s l ik e s e v e n m o re i n t e n s e l y t h e h o r r i b l e
y e l l o w w a l l p a p e r w i t h i t s c u rv e s t h a t " d e s t r o y t h e m s e l ve s
i n unhea r d of c ont radi c t i on s " ( 1 3 ) .
h a s i l l us t r a t e d ,
b eh avior
fo r
Yet,
V i c to r i a n s o c i e t y d i c t a t e d c on t r a d i c to r y
its w o m en :
p a ssi ve
ac c e p t an c e on
h a n d a n d a c t i v e n u rt u r i n g o n t h e o t h e r .
s y mb o l i z e s
the
b an d ' s d e m an d s
t il e
s ta t e ,
and
a s t h i s s t u dy
n a r ra t o r ' s i n f a n t i l e
an d
her
s u bs e q u e n t
the
one
T h e nu r s e r y ro o m
p a s s i v i t y t o h e r h u s­
r e v e rs i on
to
an i nfan­
t h e cu r v i n g c o n t ra di c t o r y p a p e r sy m b ol i z e s
t h e s t r u gg l e t ra n s p i r i n g w i th i n t h e n a r r a t o r a s s h e a t -
133
t e m p t s t o r e c on c i l e
t w o V i c to r i a n d ic t a t e s w i t h e a c h
w i t h he r o w n i n n er di c t a t e fo r s o m e aut on o mo u s
o t h er
and
sp ac e
i n w h i ch
to
t he
t o t h in k ,
to wr ite,
re al i z e w h o s h e i s ,
f or m a n i d e n t i t y .
Th e g o t h i c ed i f ic e ,
c an
to
a l so
r e p r e se nt
i n t h i s ca s e t h e n u r s e r y r o o m ,
t he
m a t e rnal
re l a t i o n sh i p
to
the
h e r o i n e s i n c e i t e n c l o s e s h e r a s s h e w a s fi r s t e n c l o s e d
w it hi n
her
in f l u e nc e .
mot he r,
b etwe en
d o us insecur i t i e s
C h a rl o t t e ' s
o b s e rv a t i o n
[is ]
M ar y
abo u t
Bec au se
mother's
ab n o rm al
and
C ha r l o t t e
ca re
m o th e r-daughter
cre ate d
th e
g o t hi c
H o l l an d ' s
e n c lo s u r e
Sh e rm an' s
seems
e s p e ci a l l y
a r e c a p i tul a t i o n o f that e ar l i e st s t a g e i n
me
w h e n t h e b o un d a r i e s b e t w e e n i n n e r
and
not - m e,
are
still
not
sharply
an d s e l f c a n n o t d i s t i n g u i s h i t s e l f f r o m t h e
w h o i s th e o u t si d e w o r l d .
•
•
e s ca p e
t h re at s .
t re m e n ­
an d
•
[ it ]
p r e s e n t s a m a rk e d l y u n t r u s t w o r­
t h y O t h e r t h a t e n c o m p a ss e s t h e e n t i r e no t - me ,
cal
and
Gilm an ' s n a r rate r :
o ut e r ,
mot h e r,
her
w h i c h w e r e q u i te p r o ba b l y r e l e ga t e d t o
h u m an d ev e l o p m en t ,
d ra w n ,
the
subcons c i ous . )
a p p l i ca b l e t o
a nd
w it hi n
( Un d o u bt e d l y ,
rel at i o n s h i p
it
t h en
beco m e s
F ro m
this
the
co m e s
1 34
only
t he
way
of
physi­
m eeting
parad i gm a t i c
its
patte rn
of
the
got h i c :
p e r s e cu t i on
fo l l o w e d
by
fl igh t ,
f l i g h t b e i n g t h e o u t w a r d tu r n f r o m t h re a t e n e d s e xu a l
p e n e t ra t i on
or
in t r u s i o n .
T he h e ro i n e i n t h i s g ot hi c
t o d i s cov e r t h e s e cr e t
h e rs e l f
sp a c e
p u r s u e s a n a c t iv e q u e s t
t h e w a l l p a p e r a n d u l t i m a t el y o f
w h i l e a l so p l ay i n g
h e r m o t h e r' s
accept
of
( 2 2 0 - 22 1 }
t he
p a ss ive
I f s h e can
ro l e .
s h e c a n al s o a c c e p t h e r
s e x ua l i t y ,
f o r s h e i d e nt i f i e s w i t h h e r m o t h e r a s f e m a l e .
own ,
Sher man
m a i n t a in s ,
mo t h er ' s
a
se xu a l i t y
w om an
an d
m u st
t r e at
confro n t
as
it
As
a n d ac c e p t h e r
"h e r
[ m o ther ' s ]
se c r e t " :
Th e
m y s t e r i e s a re
d e a th
an d. ,
too ,
th e
the
i s s ue s o f s e x a nd
ne c e s s i t y
of
b i r t h a nd
know le dge
and
c o n c e a l m ent in a t e n s i o n b e t w e en k n o w n t r u ths and
f e e l i n g s w i t h i n an d c o n v e n t i o n s a n d
from
w i t ho u t .
T h e c a s tl e
t h e e m b o di m e n t o f t h i s ,
Si n c e
the
na r r a t o r ' s
l i e s re q u i r ed
w i t h i t s fa m i l y s e c re t
t h e g o t hi c d e n ia l .
mother p lays
no
rol e
in
(23 1 }
this
s t o ry ,
i t i s d i f fi c u l t t o a sc e r t ai n w h e t h e r t h e n a r r a to r
ac c e p t h e r m o th e r ' s
sexu a l i t y .
B e c a u se
is
can
s h e h a s d i f f i c ul t y
a c c e p t i n g h e r o w n , h o w e v e r , t h e r e a d e r c a n s u rm i se t h at
she
m i gh t
no t b e ab l e
De L a mo t te ' s
G o od
to
accept
Ot h er
1 35
any w o m a n ' s
W o m an
and
s e x ua l i t y .
he r
Evil
O t he r
W o m an
a nd
Sh e r m a n ' s
m a y be v i e w e d as
atte mpts
to
n u r t u r in g
m ot he r
s e xua l
mo t h er
s a m e p e r s o n as s h e
two a spects o f the
i de n t it y
di scover her own
and
and to
resolve the
s e e m i n g p a ra d ox o f t h e d i c h o t o m o u s a s p e c t s o f h e r p s y c h e .
T h i s p a r a d o x r e s u l t s i n a d r e a d t h a t J u d i t h W i l t c o r re c t ­
ly
o b se r v e s
go t h i c
(5 ).
c r e at e s
W h e nev e r
out o f t heir co n t ro l ,
f r i gh t e ne d
and angry.
the
ho r r o r
i g n o ra n t
of
the
a nger
f o r w h a t e v e r re a so n ,
In a
in
t hey
s o ci ety w h er ein
t he
facts
be co m e
a p e rs on ' s
w he r e i n t h a t p e r s o n i s
s u r r o un d i n g
wh i l e v i e w i n g t h e ef fe c t s o f t h o s e
a nd o t h e r w o m e n ,
t he
pe o p le f e e l that t h e i r l iv e s a r e
d e st i ny i s c o n t r o l l e d b y b i o l o gy ,
ke pt
and
that
b i o l o gy
fa c t s o n h e r m o t he r
t h e m y s t e r y o f l i f e ca n e a s i l y a s s u m e
horrib l e face s which
p r o d u c e d re a d , t e r r o r , an d a n ge r .
I n a d di t i o n t o r e t a r d i n g i d e n t i t y f o r m at i o n in t h e w o m a n ,
h e r b i o l o g i c a l p ro c e ss e s c a n c r e a t e r e a l f e a r s t h a t c a n
a s su m e
m on s t r o u s
pro po r t i o n s .
can be tra u mat ic,
Chi ld b i r t h ,
for
e xa m p l e ,
b u t d e a l i n g w i t h t h e b ab y a ft e r i t i s
b o rn c a n b e e v e n m o r e t r a u m a t i c b e c a u s e c h i l d c a r e c a n
eas ily
ty,
lead t o
los s of
l o s s of s e l f.
free do m
and e v en l o ss of
Ac t u a l l y , i n a s e n s e g i v i n g b i r t h c a n
b e v i ew e d a s l o s i n g a p a r t o f o n e s e l f.
fo r e ,
t hat
the
id en t i­
m ot h e r ' s
life is
136
T o s ay ,
di f f e r e n t a f t e r
there­
sh e h a s
a b ab y i s a n u n d er s t a t e m en t .
T h e m o t h e r u s u al l y d o e s n o t
h av e a n i n d e p e n d e nt l i f e a f t e r s h e h a s a b ab y .
ly in
the
ce ntu ry ,
n i ne t e e n th
E s p e c i al -
a w o m an w a s e x p ec t ed
to
d e v o t e h e r e n t i r e b e i n g t o h e r f a m i l y a t t h e e x p e ns e o f
he r o w n i d e n t i t y , a f a c t t h a t m a y b e a t t h e h e a r t o f t h e
p o p u l a r i t y o f t h e go t h i c .
As
women
w ro t e
g o t h i c no v e l s ,
an d r e a d
t h ey
w ro t e
an d r e a d a b o u t t h e i r o w n d e p r i v e d a n d s t u l t i f i e d l i v e s ,
their
f ears
w ro t e
and t heir
h u r t s.
.f i: .2. E � � .ll § ! � .i .D
c hi l d b e a ri n g
and
M ary S h el l e y ,
during
pro lific
a
pe riod
child
fo r exa mp l e ,
of
p ro l i f i c
d ea th.
She
was
co n s t a nt l y p r e gn a n t f ro m t h e a ge o f s i x t e e n un t i l s h e w a s
ab o u t tw e n t y -o n e ,
how
much
she
a n d IL o s t o f h e r b ab i e s d i e d .
lo v e d
S h el l ey ,
her
fi l l e d w i t h g r i e f a n d a n gu i sh .
l ife
Th e f a c t
m ust
No
m at t e r
h av e
b e en
t h a t sh e wa s n o t
m a r r i e d ( a t l e a s t w h e n s h e b e g a n w r i t i n g l !::� .D��.D§! �.i !! )
mu st
have
ad d e d
to her
pain,
fo r he r fa t h er d i s o w n e d h e r
and he r so c i e t y c ond e m n ed he r .
E l l e n M o e r s c a l l s rr�n��D=
�.t � .i .D
"a
S h el l e y
" b r o ug h t
b i rth
to f ic tion not a s real i sm but a s Go t h ic
fantasy"
(9 3 ).
She
birth
myth "
a d d s th a t
(92)
in
w hich
".f..r�n.K�.n�.t�.i.D s e e m s t o
b e di s t i n c t l y
a li .Q !!! � n ' s m y t h m a k i n g o n t h e s u b j e c t o f b i r t h p r e c i s e l y
b e c au se
i t s e m ph a s is
i s n o t u p o n w h a t p r e c e d e s b i r th ,
1 37
not
up o n
bir th
it sel f,
t ra u m a o f t he
his
but
upon
w ha t
a ft er b i r t h " ( 9 3 ) .
namel e ss
new bor n ,
a g ain s t
n e w bo r n
l i fe ,
fl i g h t
s ur r o u nd i n g
bi r t h
di s p l a y i n g
and
t he i r b ab i e s c a n se e m a l m o s t
c on s c i e nt i o u s
its
gu i l t
s he
(9 3 ).
c o n s eq u e nc e s "
t o l i t e ra l m o n s t e r s ,
fo r
he r
c hi l d ,
fe e l i n g s
wh i c h t h e
and
co - e xi s t
in
the
with
he r
F r a nk e n s t e in r u n s a w a y w h e n h e r e a l i z e s t h e
m o t h e r - l ov e .
M ost
f ee l s
an d
m o n s t ro u s in t h e i r pa r a ­
b e ar s b e c a us e t h e s e
c o n s e q u en c e s
en o r m ous
d re a d ,
i n t h e w e i g h t o f r e s po n s ib i l it y
m ot he r
t he
" revu ls i o n
d rama o f gui lt ,
W h i l e m o st m o t h e r s d o ne t g i v e b i rt h
s i t i c f e at u r e s ,
bi rth:
F r an k e n s t e i n a b an d o n s
monster,
a n d t he
fo l l o w s
of
hi s
mot hers do no t run away ,
d abb 1 i ng
wit h
c re at io n
•
b ut m an y w a n t t o at s o m e
a n d m o s t d o s u f fe r s o m e d e p r e s s i o n a f t e r c h i l d -
ti me ,
birth;
so m e ,
in
fact ,
s uffe r
s u ch
d e b il it a t i n g
post­
p a r t u m d e p r e s s i o n t h e y n e ve r f u l l y r e c o v e r .
In
Jul iann
h er
dis cu s si o n
of
"T h e
Y ellow
Wal lpaper, "
F l e en o r s t at e s t h a t " o ne of t h e m a j o r t h e me s in
t h e st ory ,
pu n i sh m e n t f o r b e c o m i n g a m ot h er ( a s w e l l a s
p un i s h m e n t fo r
b e i n g f e m a l e ) , 1 s s u p po r t e d b y t h e a b s e n c e
of t h e c hild "
( " P r i sm "
p re s e n t , h o w e v e r .
cr ea t e d
by
her
2 3 5 ).
T h e re
is
a
c hi l d l ik e
b eing
T h e na r r a to r i s a n a du l t l a r g e c h i l d
society
g e n e ra l l y
1 38
b ut
by
her
hu s ba n d
spe c i fi c a ll y .
go d b y
L ik e F r a nk e n s t e i n ,
w h o pl ay s a t b e i n g a
m o d e l l i n g a " h u m an " b e i n g o u t o f c h a r ne l h ou s e
r e m a i n s a nd w ho c r e a t e s a m o n s te r he
ca n n o t c o n t ro l ,
Jo h n
i n s i s t s o n m o d e l l i n g h i s w i f e a c co r d i n g t o h i s n o t i o n s o f
w h a t a w i fe s h o u l d b e a n d c r e a t e s a b e i n g a s gr o t e s qu e a s
F r a n k e n s te i n ' s m o n s t e r a n d a s i m p o s s i b l e t o c o n t ro l .
In
her
M a c An d r e w
hold
di s cussi on
o b s e rv e s
t h at
of
Franke nstein,
hi s
o n u s i s i n e s ca p a b l e ,
s e q u e n ce s
of
his
pr o p o r t i o n s to h i s
El izabeth
m y th i c ,
deeds
a re
int ent
in
b ec au s e
horribl e
the
c o n­
of
al l
out
p e r fo r m i n g t h e m .
It i s
j u s t s o t h at w e lo o k o n t h e p o s s i b i li t y o f e v i l i n
o u r se l ve s ,
k n ow i n g a s w e
d o s o m a n y m i t i ga t i n g c i r ­
c o n v i n c e d as w e a r e t h a t w e a r e i n d e e d
cum stanc e s,
c o m p a s si o n a t e b e in g s" ( 1 0 1 ) .
T he s am e c a n b e s a i d f o r J o h n , t h e g u ar d i a n o r h i s w i f e
i n "T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r . "
ate
p e rs on ,
h o r ri b l e
b ut
ou t
f ormi ng
th e m .
hel pi ng
his
the
o f al l
He ,
ward .
H e i s n o d o u b t a c o m p a s s i o n­
c onse q uences
p r o po r t i o n s
in
fa c t ,
mons ter
of
h i ms el f
an d
a c t u al ly
1 39
his
new
deeds
are
inte n t in p er ­
b el i e v e s
com m e nt
F ra n k e n s t e i n
t hat
his
t o his
M a c An dr e w ' s
at t e m p t i n g t o c r e at e a m a n ,
of
he
is
t hat
in
has a ls o ma d e a
c r ea t ion
is
his
" d o u b 1 e , r e p r e s e n t i n g . . . h i s w h o 1 e , c o m p 1 e x s pi r i t u a 1
st a t e "
his
( 1 03)
w i fe
is
e q u a l l y a p p l i c a b l e to
alm o s t
b ecom e s
m ad ,
her
m o n s t r o us n e s s
re fl e c t s hi s
b ank r u p t
o wn - - a n d t h e i r so c i e t y ' s - - m o n s t ro us l y
W he n
J ohn.
sp i r i t ua l
st ate .
Jo hn fai n t s,
t he
m on ster
wh a t
he
w h e n h e i s f o r c e d t o l o ok a t
in
re a l i z e s
an d
has
in fac t ,
cr e a t e d
one
with
c o nd e s c en d i n g p ra c t i t i o n e r ' s
b r e at h t ak i n g
his
e p i p h an y
sup e rc i l io u s
a nd
S i nc e
p re s c r ip t i o n s .
t he
s t o ry s to ps h e r e , t h e r e a d e r d o es not k no w h o w h e b e h av e s
l at e r ,
his
how
he
d ea l s
monst rous
f ai lur e ,
cr e a t i o n
end.
o ut
( M acAndrew
hea rt .
p le te d
re s ul t i ng
he
Gi l m an
b e gi ns
a na l y z e
one
t he
however,
h e r se l f
did
n in et e e nt h - c e n t u r y
i n fo rm at i o n
a b o u t t h e e n d i n g.
monstrous
a " jo urney
re ve a l s
they
to him
kno w
hi s
ho w i t
own
com -
wou ld
d e p i c t s a vi g n e t t e
m a r ri a ge ,
a re
of self­
c ou l d n o t b e
n ot
S i n c e " T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r"
of
his
he e v e r r e a l i z e s o r a d m i t s
w h ic h
1 04)
J o hn ' s s t o r y ,
b ecau s e
from
A s F r a n k e n s t e i n b e g i n s t o p u r s ue h i s
t o d e s t ro y i t ,
d i s c ov e rY "
evi l
i ne l u c t ab l e c o ns e q u e n c e s o f
o r w he the r , ind e e d ,
h i s c u lp a b i l ity .
m o n s t er
wi t h t h e
given
r eaders
and
m u st
s pe c u l at e
W i t h o ut ch an g es of m o m e n t a n d c o n s e­
q u e n c e i n t h e m i n d s o f b o t h m e n and
140
women ,
all
m a rr i a g e s
r i s k s u c h r e s u l t s e m a n a t i n g fr o m t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f i n ­
e qu a l i t y .
I f onl y
J o h n c a n a r i s e t o b e g i n a " j o u rn e y o f
se l f - d i sco v e r y" t hat
on l y
h i s w i fe
w o m en
f re e h i m
can re gain h er
p ro du c t ive l y i n t he
In
wi l l
t h e go thi c
f r e q u e n t l y e n c o un t e r e d
t r a di t i on i n
w i fe .
If
s a n i t y a n d l i v e t o w o rk
wo r l d a l o n g s i d e
s um m ar y ,
and h i s
in
Jo hn.
co ndi t i ons
life
made
V ic t or ian
t he
go t h i c
l i t e r a t u r e a p p e a l i n g t o th e m b o t h a s r e a d e r s
a n d a s w r i te rs .
I n w a r d l y a n g ry an d fr u s t r a t e d
wit h t he ir
a view
so c ie t y ' s v ie w o f the i r s t a t u s a s h u m an b e i ng s ,
w h i c h a l l o w e d t h e m a na r r o w s p h e r e w i t h i n t h a t s o c i e t y
a n d W h i c h o ft e n de m a n d e d th a t t h e y b e h a v e a s c h i l d - w o m e n ,
t h e s e w o me n o f t e n ,
a s h a s a l re a d y b e e n s t a t e d ,
d e v e lo p e d
m y s t e r i ou s i l l n e s s e s a s a m e a n s o f e s ca p i n g t he i r o n e ro u s
d ut i e s .
F re q u en t l y t h e y
hys t e ri a ,
a
w e r e d i a g n o s ed
st r a n g e b u t
as
s u f f e r i n g f ro m
r e a l i l ln e s s t h a t e xh i b i t e d
pot p ou r r i o f p hy s i c a l a n d e m o t i on al s y m p to m s .
s y mp t o m
t i on
all
s ha r e d ,
e f fe c t i ve ly
as
h ow e v e r ,
w iv e s
was
th e
f i v e - p o i n t d e f i n i t i on o f w o m e n ' s
The one
in a b i l i t y t o
U s i ng
a n d m o t he r s .
go t h i c
as
a
func -
F l e en o r ' s
a l o o s e fram e­
w o r k , t h i s c h a p t e r an d t h e p r e c e d i n g o n e h a v e d i s c u s s e d
"The Yel low
W a l lp a pe r "
a s a n e xa m p l e
of
t ha t g e n r e .
Th e
f o l l o wi ng t w o c h a p t e r s w i l l c o n t in u e t h e go t h i c in t e rp re -
141
t at i o n o f t h e s t o ry w i t h a s t ud y of t w o t y p e s o f dou b l i n g
fre q u e n t l y
e nc o u n t e r e d
in
p e l g a n g e r a n d t h e b e lo v e d
th e
got h i e
O t he r .
111 2
t ra d i t i o n ,
the
dop ­
CH A P T E R V
" T H E YE L LO W WAL L PAP ER " AN D T H E G O TH I C :
T H E D O U B L E AS E V I L S E L F
" Who
a r e XQ� ?"
Th is
was
not
c o n v e r s at i o n .
h a r d l y k n ow ,
s ai d t h e
an
Alice
Si r ,
C a t e r p i l l ar .
encouragi ng
replied,
open ing
rath e r
shy l y ,
.W Sl li! w h e n I g o t u p t h i s m o r n i n g ,
I
h a v e b e e n c ha n ge d
"I
said
" E xp l a i n
c an' t
A li ce ,
" I- - I
b u t I th i nk
s e v e r a l t i m e s s i n c e t h e n. "
" W h a t d o y o u m e a n b y t h at ? " s a i d t h e
s te r n l y .
a
j u s t a t pr e s ent--at l e ast I k n o w
w ho I
m u st
for
C aterpil lar,
yo u r s e l f ! "
explain
.m � �� l f ,
tt b e c a u s e I ' m
not
I'm
a fr a i d ,
myself ,
you
S i r, "
see."
- - - L e w i s C ar r o l l
The
Vi c t o ri ans '
s mugness
at
what
t he y
c on s i d e r e d
t h e i r u n i qu e p o s i t i o n a t t he z e n i t h o f c i v i l i z at i o n w a s
s h a k e n b y a c o m b i na t i o n o f t h e a n n o u n c e m e n t i n
D a r wi n ' s
( an d
e vo lut ion
and
Al f re d
Wallace' s )
a r c h a e o l o g i ca l
t h eo ry
ev i d e nc e
of
t h at
c i v i l i z at io n s h a d e x i s t e d m i l l e n i a e a r l i e r .
1 85 8 of
b io lo gi c a l
e ve n
The
gre a t e r
re a l i z a -
t i o n t ha t t h e y w e r e b ut o n e a m o n g m an y
an d
p e rhap s
not
e v en
t he
m o st
c i v i l i z at i on s ,
ad v a nc e d ,
in
the
long
e vo l u t i on o f m an t h r o ugh e o n s o f t i m e c o u p l e d w i t h t h e
i n d u s tr i al
th eir
r e v o l ut i o n t h a t
quie t
w a s p r op e l l i n g p e o p l e
th e c o u n t r y i nto
l iv e s i n
th e
c it ie s '
fro m
bustl e
a n d c o n f u s i o n c a us e d a fe e l i n g o f di s p l a c e m e n t a m o n g m an y
that
led
to
f e e l i r. g s o f b e w i l d e r m e n t .
ce r t a i n a n ym o r e .
N o t hi n g s e e med
G o d a n d H i s he a v e n r e c e d e d an d l e f t a
vo i d i n p e o p l e ' s l iv e s th a t t h e y a t t e m p t e d to f i l l w i t h
m o n e t a r y ga i n a nd w o r l d l y s u c c e s s.
s u r e d d i f f e r e n t l y.
T i me
d ri ven
t he
mea­
R a i l r o a d t r av e l , f o r e x a m p l e , o f t e n
re p l a c e d t h e s l o w p ac e o f t h e c oa c h ,
c r o s s ed
i t s e l f wa s
A t l ant i c
at
twi ce
t he
an d t he s t e a m s h i p
speed
of
t he
wind­
s hi p .
N i n e t e e nt h - c e n t u r y En g l i s h l i t e r a t u r e a s e a r l y a s
Byr o n ' s �n11��-]�rQ1�211Zrlm � E& ,
hi n t s o f t h e
g r a p h i ca l l y
e x i s te n t i al i s m
by
o t he r s
as
th a t
the
f o r e x am p l e ,
wo uld
c o nt a i n s
b e p or t r a y e d m o r e
c e n t u r y p r o g r e s s e d.
Tenny­
s o n ' s l.!L.M��.Q r i� .!!l a nd B r o w n i n g ' s .Q.b.i, J..Q_ .B.Ql � .n..QJ Q_ .t.b�.D.E-r.k
I .Q �� r .CE�� a r e b u t
t w o o f s ev e ra l o t h e r
co m e i m m e d i a t el y t o m i n d .
so m ew h a t l a t e r ,
con diti ons
e x am p l es
t ha t
In A m e r i c a t h e t r e n d d ev e l o p e d
b ut w e l l b e f o r e t h e m i d d l e o f t h e c e n t u ry
pr ev a i l e d
t ha t
inspi red
144
P oe
to w r ite his
go t hi c t a l e s d e a l i n g w i t h d i vi d e d
y ea r s
l at e r
i n sp i re d
Me l v i l l e
t ion w ith W al l S treet
to
p e r s o n a l i t i e s a n d a fe w
vo i c e
in hi s p o rt r a i t
his
of
d i s s a t i s fa c ­
B a r t l e b y w ho
p r e fe r r e d t o t u r n h i s f a c e t o t h e w a l l r at h e r t h a n j o i n
th e
ra c e f o r
r i c h es .
T h e d o p p e l g a n ge r , a d e v i c e fr e q u e n t l y e m p l o y e d
go th i c l i t e r a t u r e ,
that
people
i ne vi t a b l e
i s o n e r e f l e c t i on o f t h e f ra g m e n ta t i on
age
ex per i e nc ed
so m et i m e s
c on fl i c t s t h a t a r o s e
to l ive i n d u st rio u s
m om ent
whe n t i m e had be e n
of a
I n a d di t i o n ,
lo ss of
as
w he n
n e w l i fe - s t y l e s
c o un t c o l l i d e d w i t h
s ea s o ns .
in
identity
p s y c he s
a
result
Vi c to r i an
t h at
of
the
a t t em p ts
m ad e ev e ry
g e ar e d t o a
sl o w e r
m e as u r e d by n a tu r e 's r ev o lv i n g
s o m e p e o p l e e x p e r i e n c e d t he s en s e
in
t he i r
atte mpt s
t o c o p e w it h
a n e w k n o w l e d ge o f t h e w o rl d t h a t a f f e c t e d t h e m i n m u c h
the
sa m e
way
as
c e n t e r e d u n i ve r se
teenth
C o p e r ni c u s' s
d i s c o v e ry
a f f e c t e d m any p e o pl e
the
i n t he
s un­
sev en ­
ce n t u ry .
In
pa r t i cu la r ,
w o m en i n t h e m i d d l e- a n d u p p e r- c l a s s e s
s u dd e n l y f o u un d t h e m se l v e s s a d d l ed
known
of
b ur d e n
c la s s e s who
b e c au s e ,
h a d to
t h e i r fa m i l i e s ,
u n l ik e t h ei r
w it h a h i t h e rt o u n ­
s i s t er s i n t h e
w o r k o u t s i d e t he
h ome
to
he l p
low e r
fe e d
t h e s e w o m e n we r e e x p e c t e d t o d e v e l o p a nd
145
m a i n t a i n a g e n t il i ty a n d r e f i ne m e n t t h a t
si b i l i t i e s
m ent
t he i r
in
o u t s i d e t he h o m e ,
m i no r
s o ci ety ,
ch a r i t a b l e
t h at
t he i r h u s b a n d s '
su c c e s s
e n ga g e -
p o ssi b ly ,
ven t ure s.
o f a v a l u ab l e
b us i n e s s
fut u r e p r o s p e c t s ,
e xc e p t ,
e x c l u de d r e s p o n-
Their
an d
and
s tatu s
n e c e s sar y
to
t he i r
as s e t
in
to
ch i l d r e n ' s
d i c t at e d t h a t t he y d e v e l o p t h o s e
t r ai t s
w h i c h w o u l d q u a l i fy t h e m a s t h e An g el i n t h e Ho u s e t h a t
Vi rgi n ia
W oolf
w o ul d
later
rea l i z e
s he
must
e xo r c i s e
if
F rom he r pede s t a l t he ide al
sh e w e re to b ec o m e a wri t e r .
V i c t o r i a n w o m a n ra n he r h o u s e h o l d , h e r v i rt u e an d g o o d ­
ness
di f fu s i ng a
m ak i n g i t a
p e a c e ful
t h e o u t si d e w o r l d
i nc r e d i b l e
and
c ent ury l a t e r ,
to
1-1
ponder ,
gl o w
o r a n y ot he r
G il m a n
haven
tranquillity
fro m
u p on
t he hu s t l e
f o r h e r hu s b a n d .
Her
i n c o m p r ehe ns i b l e a s it
the
ho m e ,
a n d b u st l e o f
b ra i n ,
ho w e ve r ,
m ay s e e m
a m e re
w a s n o t c o n s i d e r e d s uf f i c i e n t l y c o m p l e x
l et
e i g ht y i s s u e s
of
alone
to
deci s ions on
p r o m u l ga t e,
sur r ounding
b u si n e s s ,
p o l i ti c s ,
the
r e l ig i o n ,
i n te l l e c t u a l p ur s u i t s o f m o m e n t .
b el i e v e d
l en gi n g w o rk
l ik e
ne e d e d
c h al ­
qu a l i t i e s t h a t m ad e h e r h u m a n.
S h e v ie w e d
th e t r a d i t i o n ­
al
advoc at e d
a nt i qu at e d
sti mulation
m en ,
d ev e l o p t h o s e
as
mental
wo m e n ,
to
h om e
and
t h at
an d
c o n s i s t i n g o f k i t c h e nl e s s h o u s e s ,
146
com muni ties
c o m m u n i t y k i tc h e n s ,
laun d ri e s ,
c on f i ne m e n t t o t h e h o m e ,
She
O f t h e e ff e c t o n w o m e n o f
an d b a b y - ga r d e ns.
G i l m a n w r i t e s i n 3b�_]9�� :
m o re than eno ugh ,
i s f e m in i n e ,
as
man
is
m a s c u­
l ine m o r e than e n ou g h ; b ut s he i s n o t hu man a s he i s
h u m an .
T h e h ou se - l i f e d o e s n o t br in g o u t o ur
ness,
fo r a 11
gr es s
1 ie
The
t h e d i s t i n c t i v e 1 i n e s o f h u m a n p ro -
o u t si d e .
w i d e s p r e ad
w hich
m ai n l y
p resses
g ro w i n g l i fe .
fu l f i l m en t
(217)
n e r vo u s d i s o r de r s a m o n g o u r l e i s u r e ­
c l a s s wo m e n a re
mould
human­
tra cea bl e
e ve r
t o t h i s un c han g i n g
mor e
cr u el l y
upon
t he
He a l t h a n d h a p p i n e s s d e p e n d o n s m o o t h
[ sic ]
of
func ti on,
an d
the
f un c t i o n a l
ab i l i t y o f a m o d e r n w o m a n c a n b y n o m e a n s b e e x e r ­
in this anci ent
c ised
c o op .
( 22 5 - 22 6 )
B e c a u s e s h e i s no t a l l o w e d m en t a l s t i m u l at i o n ,
tor
in
"T h e
Yello w
W a l l p a p e r"
e x pe r i e n c e s
t i o n w i t h i n he r c o o p e d s e l f
t hat
f i c a t i on
d ou b l e a s
w i th
h e r " m i rro re d "
re s u l t s
she
t h e n a r ra ­
a d i s s o ci a ­
in
h er
identi­
p e rc e i v e s h e r
i n t h e c o m pl e x i n t e r l a c e d p a t t e r n o f t h e w a l l p a p e r .
T h i s ch a p t e r w i l l e xa mi ne t h e do p p el ga n g e r f rom a
p s y c h o an a l y t i c a l v i e w po i n t a n d w i l l u s e O t t o R an k ' s s e m i ­
n al
w o rk ,
�b � _DQYbl�i __ A ����hQ�n�1�t1��1 -�t�� � .
147
to
de-
fi ne
t hat
p he no menon.
e x a m in a t i o n
Ye l l o w
of
fo l l ow e d
by
i n an a t t e m p t
t he
The
Gi lm a n ' s
di scus sion
o ri g inal
of
c u r s o ry
as
in
th i s
s y m b o l ic
t he
e xa m in at i o n
both
st o ry w i l l
t ha t
cha p t e r
of
" The
Gi l man's
men
of
and w o men
d e p ic t i o n o f t h e do ppel gange r.
i nt e r p r e tat ion
s er tat ion ;
an d
a de tai led
to d i s c ov e r w h e t h e r an a u t ho r ' s
ge n d e r i n f l u e n c e s
entr aps
a
w o rk s t h at d e p i c t d o u bl i n g b y
autho rs ,
vi e w e d
a l so p r ov i d e
D o s t o e v sk y ' s 1.h,g _]2.Q.J.!..Ql ,g
W a l l pa p e r , "
s e v e ra l
It w ill
t he
runs
the
c o nt i nue
t h ro u g h o ut
d i s-
this
w a ll p ape r' s
pat erna l i s t i c
t he
pa t t e rn i s
ma l e
l o gi c
t ha t
n a r ra t o r .
I n Fre u d i a n t e r m s d o u b l i n g s o m e t i m e s h a p p e n s in r e a l
life
wh en
the
un c o n s c i o u s
usurp s
c o n s c io u s
p roces s e s ,
e nabl ing a person t o "s ee" a p a r t of h i m s e l f , ac tual l y a
s pl i tt i ng o f f o r f r a g m entat i o n o f o n e of t h e s t ru c tur es
o f the
personal ity
as
a
separate
being,
or
f ra g m e n t .
Acc o r d in g t o F r e u d , a l l s u c h m an ife s t a t i o n s c an be
traced
ba c k t o i n f an c y w h e n s e l f - l ov e o r p r e o c c u p a t i o n w i th s e l f
p re dom inat ed.
into
B ri e fl y ,
t h r e e p s y c ho l o g i c al
t h e s up e r e g o ,
i c a l e nt i t i e s ,
part o f
Freud
d iv i d e s
p roce ss e s :
t he
the
id,
p er so nal i t y
t he
ego,
a nd
w h i c h a r e o ft en c o m p r e s s e d i n t o t w o o n t ol o g t h e e g o a n d t h e a l t e r e go .
t h e p e r s o na l i t y t h at
" r e p re s e n ts
1 48
T h e i d i s t ha t
the
inner
world
o f s u b j e c t i v e e x p e r i e n c e a n d h a s no k n o w l e d g e o f o b j e c ­
t iv e
re a li t y "
( Hall
a nd
L in d z e y
33).
It
" c onsists
of
e v e r y t hin g p s y c h o l o gi c a l t h a t i s i n h er i t e d a n d t h a t i s
p re s ent
at
b i rt h ,
i n cl u d in g t h e i n st i n ct s "
i d i s all ow e d full
an
un c i v i l i z e d
a person
c o n t r ol ,
b a r ba r ia n ,
s at i s f y i n g
(33).
will
If
t he
b e have as
i n st i n ct u a l
need s
at a ny co st.
T h e e g o i s " t h e o r g a n i z e d p o r t i o n o f t he
id"
c iv i l i ze r ,
( 34 ) ,
the
so
to
speak.
It
b e t w e e n t h e i d a n d t h e e x te r n a l e n v i ro n m e n t .
b e t h o u g h t o f a s t he c o n s c i o u s m in d ,
thought of
as
the
un co n s c i o u s
mi n d.
m e d i at e s
T h e eg o ca n
id c an be
wh i l e t h e
Th e
ego's
" su b o r d i -
na t e o b j e c t iv e s a r e t o m a i n t a i n t h e l i f e o f t h e i n d i v i ­
d u al
a nd
t o s ee
that th e
civi l i z es a p e rs o n ,
spec ie s
is r e p r o d u c e d "
(35).
It
b ut " i f t h e e g o f a i l s to s at i s f y t h e
i n s t i n c t s , t h e j_ d r e a s s e r t s i t s p o w e r " ( 4 3 ) .
O n e wa y o r
a n o t he r ,
s at i s f i e d .
T he
m i gh t be
t e r med
pro c e ss
t he
i n sti nct s
i s th e
co n s c i e n c e .
t ra d i t i o n a l
will
s up e r e g o o r wh a t
dec ide
th i rd
t he
I t is " t h e in t e r na l re p r es en t a t i v e o f t h e
v al u e s
a nd
i de a l s
to the ch il d b y h i s pa rent s .
to
be
w h e t h e r s o m e t h in g i s
of
society
.
r ight
c a n a ct i n a cco rdan c e w i t h t he mo ral
b y t h e a g e nt s o f s o c i e t y " ( 3 5 ) .
149
as
in t e r pr et e d
I t s m a i n co ncer n is
o r w r o n g s o th a t i t
s t an d ar d s a ut h o r i z e d
Te ns i o n r e s ul t s w h e n t h e se thr e e p ro c e s s e s a r e no t
p rope r ly
b a l anc e d ,
supe rego
w hen t he
oppo s e s t he ego ,
b e c o me t o o s e v e re ,
ego o p p o s e s t h e i d o r t he
fo r e xa m p l e .
a n d t h e p e r s on al i t y
Le t
re p r e s s i o n
m ay d i v i d e a n d t he
d i v i d e d p a r t t h e n m a y p r o j e c t i t s el f o n t o s o m e " r e a l o r
i m a g i n e d o t h e r"
( Ve rnon
14);
f or
e x a m J: l e ,
i n cas es
of
p a ra n o i a , t h e s up e r e g o m ay s p l i t o f f f r o m t h e o t h e r t w o
p ro c e s s e s t o a s s u m e a
duces
a n xi e t y
g r e a t er
o ne ,
by
life of it s o wn :
s u bst i t ut ing
an d
it
e n ab l e s
a
the
" P ro j e c t i on r e ­
le sser
da n g e r
project ing
fo r
pe rson
a
to
ex p re s s h i s i m p u l s es
u n d e r th e g u i s e o f d e f e n d i n g h i m s e l f
a g a i n st h i s e n e m i e s "
( Hal l
in G i l m a n ' s sto ry ,
a n d L in d z e y
t he r e f o r e ,
t he wo man i n t he wallpaper
it
r e s u l t ed
in
do uble
The
c on f li c t s
by
in
p r o j e c t e d h e r i d e n ti t y u p o n
b e c a u s e t h at
l i t e ra t ur e
a pp e a r i n g
p r o ta go n i s t .
o b s e r ve s
th e
e x i s t e nc e
ide n t i t y ,
t h o ug h
l i vi n g i n J o hn ' s w o r l d .
to
t he
ofte n
In his
repr es ent s
p ro j e c t i n g
s o m e t i m e s t o ot h e r c h a r a c t e r s a s w e 1 1 ,
of t he
T h e n ar r a t o r
p r e se n t e d a l e s se r d an ge r to h e r
i n s an i t y ,
s e ns e o f s e l f t h an d i d
50).
t h e se
p e r s on ,
and
a s a m i r ro r i ma g e
e s s a y "T he
U n c a n ny , " F r e ud
o f s u c h a f fi n i t i e s a s
a r e s u lt
of
co n s i d e re d t o
be
s i m i l a r p h ys i c a l a p p e a ra n c e :
Thus w e
h a ve
ch a r a c t e r s
1 50
who
are
i d e nt i c a l b e c a u s e t h e y l o o k a l ik e .
T h i s r el at i o n ­
s hi p i s a c ce n t u a t e d b y m e n t a l p r o c e s s e s l e a p i n g f r o m
on e o f
t hese
c ha r a c t e r s t o a n o t h e r - - b y w h a t w e c a l l
t el e pat hy-- so
that
the
o ne
p o ss e s s e s
know l e dge ,
f e e l i n g s , a n d e x p e r i e n c e i n co m m o n w i t h t h e o t h e r .
Or it is m ar k e d b y t h e f a ct t ha t t h e s u b j e c t id ent i ­
fi e s
h i m s el f w i t h
doub t a s
s om e o ne
el s e ,
or
t h at
he
is
in
t o wh i c h h i s s e l f i s , o r s u b s t i t u t e s t h e
e x t ra n e o u s
sel f for
i s a do ub li ng ,
his own.
In
ot h e r w o r d s ,
t h e re
d i v i d i n g , a n d i n t e r c h an g i n g o f t h e
se l f ( 2 3 4 ) .
For
in s t a n c e ,
a s t h e f i r st
s ce n e
at
in
Po e' s
" W i l l ia m
W il s o n , "
the
W i l l i am W i l s on ' s c o n s c i e n ce ,
mom ents
of
e xt re m e
need .
him
t he "i m p u l s e
Ran k ,
n e nt
to ki ll
in
f e a t u r es
k i l l s hi m s e l f.
to
rid
W il so n
of
t he
m o t i f"
( .I.b�_.Q.Q.YJ21 �
is
a l w ay s
final l y ,
Ac c o r d i n g t o
o ne s e l f o f t h e
a v i o l e nt m an n er b e l o ng s
acts
a r r i v in g o n t he
f u r i o u s w i t h h i s d o u b l e ' s p r es e n c e a n d ,
at t e m p t
dou ble
i n an
Otto
un c an n y o p p o -
to th e e s se n t i a l
•
1 6-1 7).
U n f o rt un a t e ­
ly,
k i l l i n g on e p a r t of t h e s e l f re s ul t s i n t h e d e a t h of
t he
en t i re s e l f , a s W i l l i a m W i l s o n l ea r n s .
F r eud ' s
t h e o ry
is
i l l u s t ra t ed
1b�-�r�a��Y�-�n92n§�2�� a s h e
151
by
Hanns
e l ab o r a t e s
S a c hs
in
t h e i d e a t h at
t he
br ot he r s
f o ur
il l us t rate
the
D o s t o e v sk y ' s Ih �-�r Qtb � r� -K � �� ID��QY
in
" f ra g m e n t a t i o n
of
Do s t o evsky ' s
sou l"
( Roge rs 3 ) :
A ll
f o ur
p a rt
a
are
.Every o ne
a b s o l u t e ly
c o mp l e t e
them [ do ] we get the
part
wh il e
ties
or
particle
th es e
all
as
b e i ngs
far
can
b e t w e e n th e m ;
all
an
f i gu r e s
w e fe e l
a
th e
hu m an b e i n g ;
i ndi vid ua l
are
from
is
th ere
div e r s it ie s
m an i f e s t
of
of
is a
f our
is
a
w i t h n o ne
i m p re s s i o n that he is o n ly
di f fe re n t
be ,
E ach
Do s t oe v s k y h i m s e l f .
of h i s m i n d.
p e r fe c t
of
o f t h em
each
still
that
h i d d en
c o m pl et e
a
Yet
.
i n d i v i d ua l i -
o ther
as
hum an
m y st e ri o u s
bond
t h e y ha v e i n s p i t e o f
i d e nt i t y
i n th e i r c o m m o n ur g e f o r
which
b ecomes
parricide.
( Sach s
343-44 )
P s y c h o a n a l y s t s w ho e xa m i n ed t h e su b j e c t " d e m o ns t ra t e d
that
th i s u s e o f t h e
f rom
t he
a u t ho r s '
te rna t u ral
d o u b l e - t he m e d e r i v e d n o t
c o ns c i o u s
s i t ua t i o n s
pe rso nalit i e s
.
•
.
.
.
f ondn e ss
•
for
s o m uch
d e s cri b i n g
or s e pa r at e p a r t s o f
p r e­
their
a s fr o m th e ir u n c o n s c i o u s im p u l s e t o
l e n d i ma ge r y t o a un i v e r s a l h u m a n p r o b l e m - - t ha t o f
rel a t i o n o f t h e se l f to t h e s e l f " ( T u c k e r ,
O t t o R an k ,
I b �- �Q��� �
xi v ) .
1 52
the
I n t r o d u c t i o n,
W h e t he r o r n o t G i l m a n ' s u s e o f t h e d o p p e l ga nge r i n
" T he Y e l l o w
W a l l p ap e r " w a s
an
S h e di d t e l l
i s d e b at a b l e .
s t o r y w a s w r i t t e n " w it h a
she
averre d
the
or no t
W i l l i a m D e a n Ho w e l l s t h a t
t he
t ha t
un c o n s c i o u s i m p ul s e
p u r pos e"
purpo s e " was
( 1 !.Y.1ns
to
r each
121 ),
Dr.
b ut
S.
W e i r M i t c he l l , a n d c o n v i n c e h i m o f t h e e r r o r o f h i s w a y s "
Anot her
h av e b e e n
t he e x p l o rat i o n o f t h e p h e n o m e n o n of
vided s elf.
c i al
purpose
T h o u gh t h e s t o r y r i s e s
aw a r e n e s s " o f t he
(He dges 4 6 ) ,
m ay
the d i ­
f rom Gilm an's " so ­
s i t ua t i o n o f wo m e n
in
he r
c en tury
it is a l s o a f i c t i o na l i ze d a c c o un t of s o m e
a u t o b i o g r ap h i c a l e xp e r i e n c e s .
Gilman writ es that the
s t o ry " i s a d e s cr i p t i o n o f a ca s e o f n e rv o u s b r e ak d o w n
b e g i nn i n g so m e t h i n g a s m in e d i d ,
Weir
M it c h el l
i ne v i t a b l e
Gi l m a n ' s
the
t r ea t ed
re s u l t ,
me
w it h
p r o g r e s s iv e
b i o gr a p h e r ,
a n d t r e a t e d a s Dr .
what
I
i n s a n i t y"
Ma r y A . H i l l ,
c ons i d ered
( 1.i.Y..!.DS
S.
the
1 19).
st a t e s that w hi l e
s t o r y m a y i n d i c a t e G i l m an ' s i n t e r e s t i n h el p in g o t he r
i m p r i s o ne d w o m e n , i t a l s o " po r t r a y e d t he v i o l e n t a n g e r
t h at a c c o m p a n i e d t h e f i g h t t o f r e e h er s e l f , t h e d e s p e r a t e
s t r u ggl e t h a t u l t i m a t e l y r e su l t e d i n t h e b r e a ku p of h e r
marr i age"
( gi �
151-152).
I n 1D�Q r�_Q f_ 1it��g�Y£� ,
1 53
Well ek
an d
War ren
focus
on
a
w riter's
doubl ing
as
reveal ing
p o t en t i a l a s p e c t s o f t h e s e lf :
T h e n ov e l i s t ' s p o t e n t i al
selves,
s e l ve s w h i c h a r e v i e w e d a s e vi l ,
Do sto e v s k y ' s
•
i n cludi ng
a re al l
fo ur
t h o se
p o t e n t ia l
b r o t h e rs
K a r a maz o v a re a l l a s p e c t s o f D o s t oe v s k y.
(90 )
L i k e w i s e , t h e a n gr y w o m a n i n G i l m a n ' s s t o r y mu s t b e o n e
f a c e t o f h e r o w n s e l f w h i c h s h e t o o k o u t an d e x a m i ne d ,
pe r haps
in
a n at t e m p t t o u n d e r s t a n d an d
Ba s e d
on
t he
J� g - �r� � b �r�- ��r� � ���� '
of
e x a mp l e
d i s p e l h e r a n g e r.
R o g e r s d i s t i n g u i s h e s b e t w e e n lg��D� a n d �gDif��� f r a g m e n L at ent
t a t i o n.
fragmen t at i on
n o v e l i s im p l i c i t ,
as
i l l u s t r at e d
in
this
w h i l e m a n i f e s t fra gm e n t a t i o n a s i l l u s ­
t r a t e d i n D o s t o e v s k y ' s n o v e l l a 1�� - �£��1 � i s o v e r t ,
e xp l i c i t
(4).
I n I�!! _ J2.9JJ...bl!!
n am e d G o l y a dk i n,
t he
p r o t a g on i s t ,
e n c o u n t e r s o n e G o l y a d k in ,
Jr . ,
a
or
c l e rk
h i s a l te r
e g o w h o i s a l m o s t a ph y s i c a l
( m a n i f e s t ) " m i r ro r i m a g e" of
h i m se l f
but
un l ik e
b e a r i n g.
In
b l in g ,
wh o
th i s
sp l i t t i n g ,
o ny m o u s l y ,
as
c ha ra c t e r ( 4 ) .
by
is
quit e
him
in
a c t i on
sa m e s t u d y R og e rs u s e s t he
f ra g m e n t a t i o n ,
well
as
the
t e r m s " d o u­
and d e c o mp o s it ion"
te r m s
do u ble
and
and
syn­
c o m p o s i te
He a l s o d i st i ng u i s he s b e t w e e n " d o u b l i ng
m u l t i p l i c a t i on a n d
d o u b l i n g b y d i vi s i o n . "
1 54
Ih!!_Dr�� b�r§
��r���Z2Y e x em p l i f i e s d o ub l i n g b y d iv i s i o n ,
"th e
sp l i t t i n g u p o f a r e c o gn i z a b l e u n i f i e d p s y c ho ­
com p l em e n t ar y ,
l o g i c a l e nt i t y i n t o s e p a r a t e ,
b y s e e m i n g l y a u t o no m ou s
p a r t s r e p r e s e nt e d
gu i s h a b l e
cha ract e r s .
di stin­
I l l u s t r a t i v e o f d o u b l i ng b y m u l t i p l i c a ­
t i on w o u l d b e t h e a p p e a ra n c e i n a s t o r y o f s ev e r a l
c h a ra c t e r s ,
al l of
whom a re
[ fo r
e x a mpl e ]
fa t he r
f i g u r e s r e p r e s e n t i n g a s i n gl e c o n c e p t o f , o r a t t i ­
t ud e
G il m a n ' s
to w a r d ,
"T h e Y e l l o w
mul tip li cat i on ,
b eh i n d
the
the
f at h e r "
(5).
W a l l p ap e r "
for
t he
w a l l p ape r
m a ny
a nd
de m o n s t ra t e s
w o m en s h e s e e s
out in
the
by
c re e p i n g
o p e n co unt rysi de ,
a n d t h e w om a n b eh i n d t h e w a l l p a p e r w i t h w h o m
i d e n t i f ie s ,
d o u b l in g
r epresent w o men like herself
s h e f in a l l y
w ho a r e s t i f l e d
w i th i n a p a t r ia r c ha l s o c i e t y .
D o s t o e v s ky ' s lh�-�Q��l&
e xe m p l i f i e s
the
si m p l e
di v i s i o n
of
p ro t a go n i s t
into
on e
o t h e r r e c o gn i z e d b y Go l y a d k i n a s h i m s e l f a n d n a m e d G o l y a d ­
kin,
Jr.
La t e
in
the
s to r y
t his
si m p le
is
di v i s i o n
c o m p o und e d b y m u l t i t u d i n o us d o u b l i n gs w h i c h al l l o ok l ik e
Go l y a d k i n .
I n t h i s re spe ct
b eh in d t h e w al l p a p e r i n
O t to
Ran k
b e l i e ve s t h a t
as s es s es
Do s t o ev s k y
th e y a r e s i m i l ar t o t h e w o m e n
G i l m an ' s s t o r y .
Go l y a d ki n
a s " pa r ano iac. "
"le n t m any t r ait s o f
1 55
He
h is o w n
p e r s o n a l i t y " t o Go l y a d k i n , a n d q u o t e s H o f f m a n a s s a y i n g
tha t D o e s toe v s k y
sion'"
( Rank 4 7 ;
" r ep e a t e d l y
Ho f f m an 4 9 ) .
w i t h t h i s a s s e s s m e n t o n t he
no i d
se es
a p e rson
of hi m s el f .
D ost o e vsky ' s
c o mp ul s iv e
o th e r
i n s t e ad
He
gr o u n d s t h a t a t y p i c a l
w ho
c an n ot
a r gu e s t h a t
d oub les ,
c o n c e iv e o f
Go l y a d k i n ,
app ears
o f p a r a no i d .
u n j us tly
to
is
" a n o b s e s s iv e
p a ra ­
p e r s e­
an
evil
as we l l
be
as
o bs es s iv e ­
R a t h e r th a n a
o f s e l v e s ( o r th e f a c e t s of the p e r s o n al i t y ) ,
of d e c o m p o s i t i o n
'c on f e s ­
his
L a w r e n c e K o h l b e r g di s a g r e e s
h i m s el f a s a n i n n o c e n t p e r so n
c u t e d b y o t h e rs ,
do u b l e
termed him
s p l it t i n g
t h is typ e
b a l a n c in g o r u n d o i n g o f
Rogers
o n e i d e a o r fo r c e w i t h i t s o p p o s i t e " ( 3 4 5 - 3 6 2 ) .
t h i n k s K o h l b e r g m u s t b e th i n ki n g o f t h e m a n i f e s t d o u b l e :
H i s a rg um e n t t h a t a w a r e n e s s
c h a ra c t e r i s t i c
for
i n s t a n c es
do u bl e s
C l a gg a r t
t i e s.
l ik e
turn
i t s el f
in
psyc h o lo g y .
nat u r a l l y
Shak e speare ' s
I a go
s e lf
does
in
and
is not
n ot
f a ct ,
ho l d
l at e nt
Mel vi l l e ' s
o u t t o b e c l a s s i c p a ra n o i d p e r s on a l i ­
t h e d e f e n s e m e c ha n i sm
is o n l y one
no t
s e en
p a ra n oi a
do u b l e
o f t he .lg,J!�.n.t d o ub l e ;
Pro j ec t io n ,
p a ra n o i a ,
be
of
of a
a de f i n i n g
o t he r
s o ba s i c in
t y p i c a l c ha ra c t e r i st i c
featur e ;
s yn d ro m e s
( 1 77n30 )
1 56
i .e . ,
and
and
p r o j e c t i on
e ven
in
by
can
"no r m a l "
A
c l os e
p a r an o i a
a l it y .
with
as
re adi n g
well
as
S i n c e m a ny
of
of
reve als
Ig � - � Q Y b l �
o bs e s s iv e - c om p u l s ive
t he
r e ad e r s , h o w e v e r ,
t h i s no v e l la ,
a b r i e f s y no p s i s
of it
will
Do sto e v s k y ' s
treatm ent
of
t hi s
in c i p i e n t i n sa n i t y
as
d ev i c e .
t h i s c ha p t e r a c o m p a r i s o n o f D o s t o e v s k Y ' s
handl i ng of
pe r s o n ­
i n t r o d u ce
a n d w i l l i l l u s t ra t e
Go l y a d k i n ' s d i s i n t e g r a t i on o f p e r s on a l i t y s o
ify
of
m ay no t b e f a m i l i a r
a s t h e c a s e m ay b e ,
o r r e fa m i l i a r i z e ,
trait s
cl ar-
to
L at e r
in
an d G i l m a n ' s
a n d o f t h e d o u bl e w i l l
p r o v i d e a d e e p e r i n s i g h t i n to G i l m an ' s n a r ra t o r an d h e r
rel ati onsh i p
w it h h e r d o u b l e .
Do s t o ev s k y ' s
Go l y a d k i n
is a c l e rk o n t h e lo we r s ca l e
w ho r e g a r d s h i m se l f a s a s k il l e d c op y i s t .
ev e n
in
cl e rk ,
skil l s.
as
t he
t o hi s
t he
f u l fil l m e nt
of
his
H e i s fl aw e d
r e s p o n si b i l i t i e s a s
a
a n d he i s a l m o s t d e v o i d of a l l s o c i al g r ac e s a n d
Hi s
i n t e r n al
story
agony b ec om e s
p r o g r e s s e s.
doc tor
One
i n c r e a s i n gl y
vi g ne t t e
d e p i c t ing
ev i d e n t
a
vi s i t
c a p tu r e s i n a ca p s ul e h i s s o ci a l i n e p t n e s s :
Hav i n g n e g l e c t e d t o g e t
ready his
w hi c h
stu m b ling
was
inv ar i a b l y
s uc h o c ca s i o n s ,
a po l o gy - - a n d ,
a
fi r st
bl o c k
s e n t e nc e ,
for
him
on
h e m u t t e r e d s o m et h i n g- - a p pa r e nt l y a n
n o t k n ow i n g
1 57
w h a t t o d o ne x t , t o ok a
chair and s at dow n , but, realizing
d o wn
without
b ein g as k e d to
do s o ,
d i a t e l y c o ns c i o u s o f hi s lap s e,
effect
his
o f fe n s e
a g ai n s t
b r e e d i n g by p ro m pt l y
he
ha d t ak e n
r e c ti fy
on
e t i q u et t e
in c o m p e t en c e ,
his
t ho ugh t ,
d e ci d e d
ri ght
imme­
a n d m ad e h a s t e t o
he
an d
go o d
to
h i ms e lf ,
di m l y
com mi t a
p e r c e iv in g
e m b ar ra s s m e nt ,
s i v e s i l en c e , an d f in a l l Y
that
to
sat
he
h ad
h e i m me d i a t e ­
t h i rd - -t hat
m u t t e r e d s o m et h i n g ,
w a s ove rc o me w i t h
at t e m p t s
g ra c e :
c o m m i t t e d t w o s t up i d b l un d e r s a t o nc e ,
ly
was
get tin g up again f r o m t h e s e a t
t hi s l a c k o f s o c i a l
s ec o nd
he
u n i n vi t e d .
r ec o gni z i n g
B el ated l y
t hat h e had sat
is ,
s m il e d,
sank
t ried
to
b l u s he d ,
in to e x p r e s ­
d o w n fo r g o o d an d
di d
no t g e t u p aga in.
The n ,
to pr o t e c t hi s ego and a p pa r e n t l y to
s u s p i c i o ns
t he
c o u n te r an y
d o c to r m i g h t p o ss e s s a b o u t h i s s a n i t y ,
an
i n d i c a t i on th a t Go l ya d k i n h a r b o rs s o m e s u s p i c i o n s h i m ­
se l f ,
h e d e c i d e s t o go o n t he o f f e n s i v e a n d g la re s a t t he
d o c t o r d e f i an t l y :
Th i s
gl an c e ,
G o ly a d k i n ' s
ly,
the
mo r eo v e r ,
expressed
to
is ,
to
i nd e p e n d e n c e - - t h at
f a c t th a t M r .
G o l y adkin wa s
1 58
the
ful l
s p ea k
M r.
p l a i n­
" a l l r i gh t , "
t h a t h e w a s " q u i t e h i m s e l f , l ik e
an d
t h at
sto rY. "
t he r e
was
( D o s to e vs k y
aft e r
him s elf,
Gol yad ki n ,
t h i s tim e
w r o ng
Sr. ,
h a s a ga i n
b y c r as h i n g a
c h an c e
into
m a y t ak e h i m"
a c t u al l y
we11"
(9 7 )
•
h i s ow n f l at
r i ve s .
From
sees
a
the
ai r,
m ad e
a
fo o l
fa m il y b i r th d a y p a rt y
A ft e r
being
in t o
freedom ,
w h e r ev e r
s o m eo n e i s
s t r an g e r
besi de
whom
he
him ;
t hen l a t e r
k no w s
" p e r fe c t l y
T o h i s a m a z e m e n t , t h e m an p r e c e d e s h i m
an d
of
A s h e f l e e s f ro m h i s " e ne -
(92).
m i e s , " h e fa n c ie s that
he
u pp e r
h e r u s he s i n h u m i l i at i o n " a w a y h ea d ­
fo r c i b l y e vi c t e d ,
anywhe re ,
his
Go l yadki n , J r. , a p p e a r s on t he
g i v e n f o r t h e b e a u t i f u l K l a r a O l s uf y e v n a .
l on g ,
in
6 3 - 64 )
G o ly a d ki n ' s d o ub l e ,
s ce n e
" no t h i n g
e ve r y b o d y e l s e , "
to
i s w ai t i n g f o r Go l y a d ki n w h e n he a r-
th i s m o m ent
on
hi s
m a ni f e s t
" mi rror
im age"
i n s i nu at e s h i ms e l f i n t o e v e ry s i t u a t i o n G o l ya d k i n en c o un ­
t e r s , e v e n f i n d i n g e m p l o y m e n t a s a c l e r k i n G o l y a d ki n ' s
d epa rtm en t .
O n m e e t i n g h i s m a n if es t " m i r r o r i m a ge , " G o l y a dk i n i s
s t r u ck
hi s
who
w i t h h o r ro r .
E a r l i e r h i s p a r an o i a w a s e v i d e n t
in
s t a te m e n t t o t h e d o c t o r t h a t h e h a s m a l i g n a n t e n e m i e s
have
doctor to
s w o rn
to
tel l
him
ruin"
how
him,
an d
t h at
he
wa n t s
t o ge t h i s r e v e n g e ( 6 8 ) .
1 59
the
Lat e r
hi s
p ar a n o i a
re a s s e r t s
it s e l f
as
he
at t e m pt s t o und er­
s t a n d t h e p h e n om en o n o f a m a n wh o i s s o m u c h l ik e hi m s e l f
t ha t i n a s e n s e h e i s h i m s e l f a n d y e t h e i s n o t h i m s e l f .
"T h e y a r e s i m p l y p l o t t i n g t o f r i g h t e n m e , p e r ha p s ,
w he n t h e y s e e
but
keep
m e e kl y ,
not
tha t I d o n ' t
p e r fe c t l y
t he y ' l l gi v e
c o m p r e h e n d t he
c o n t i n ua l l y
i t up
m e nt i on s
i s not
ov e rb ea r i n g
power
b ut
be
a
in
fas hion f r o m
his
m a l i c i o us
in a
d o ub l e
A l t ho u gh
he
up
with
The reader does
t h at
Go l ya d k in
p r o no u n
eve ryon e
his
t hat o t h e r s
ult e r i o r
r e fe r s
in
his
to
world.
b e ha v e
motive s
w hi c h
ps yche
o wn
he
in a
w h o l o o k s e xa c t ly
d ou b l e
so c i e t y
onto
m e an ­
e m anat e fro m
hi d es
b ehin d
a n d h e f i n al l y p e r c e i v e s t h i s
Go ly ad k i n ' s
it
he p e r c e i v e s s o m e s o r t o f
f rom
c ha rac t e r
c o nd u c t s hi mse lf i n
c 0 u ld .
the
p r ot es t ,
p e r c e p t i o n o f e v i l i n o t he r s
proj ection
sp i r i t e d
d e m e a no r ,
put
" ( 1 00 ).
.
suspect s
this
H i s p e r c e p t i o ns
se rv i l e
•
a l m o st
m an ki n d .
own
•
and
G o l y a d k in ;
G i v e n h i s p e r s o n a l it y ,
to
qui e t
i d e nt i t y o f t he "t hey"
e v er y o ne w h o
appears
t h a t I m ak e n o
m i nd ,
and
a
qu a l i t y
l i k e h i m se lf .
is
as
ph y s i c a l l y h i s
G o l y a d ki n
t wi n ,
w i sh e s
Go lyadki n , J r . , i s so suc c e ss ful at w o rk
he
that
he i s s o o n g i v e n s p e c i a l a s s i g n m e n t s an d i s a d m i t t e d t o
th e
i nn e r
ci r c l e
that
Go ly a d k i n
1 60
so e nv i es.
R e a d e r s ha v e
di f f i c ul t y
on t o
a
knowing
real
m an
Go lyadkin ' s
whether
or
Go l y a d k i n ,
whether
i m ag i n a t i on .
he
Fo r
is
e xa m p l e ,
new
c l e rk ' s
at
h is
r e se m bl a n c e
st r ik i n g
p ro j e c t e d
is
m e re l y a
y a d k i n t a l k s w i t h A nt o n A n t o no v i t c h ,
t he
J r. ,
f i gm e n t
one
p o in t
in t he st o r y ,
conv e r sat i o n a c t ua l l y
m in d or ,
if
h u m o ri ng
it
do e s ,
Go l y ad k i n ,
but
G o l y ad k i n ' s
t ake s
pl ac e
(1 06-107).
fre que ntl y
p e r sp e c t i ve ,
ou ts id e
The
al be it
he
is
the
the
c on f l ic t
So m eti me s ,
f o r m t h e ir
tak i ng
t ho u g h ,
own
p l ac e
oft en a d d s
w it hin
about
is
not
nu anc e s
re ad e r t h e a c t u a l
as well
Go l y a d ki n ' s
h e i s s i l e n t an d a l l o w s
opinions
not just
s t o ry fr o m
stat e of affa i r s in G ol y ad k in ' s e xt e r nal wo r l d
as
but by
Go ly a d k i n ' s
narr a tor
he does tell
bu t r e v e a l t o t h e
t ha t e s ca p e Go l y ad k i n
and
i t i s n o t cl e a r t h a t ev e n t h i s
t h a t An t o n A n t on o v i t ch
G o l y a dk i n
ab o u t
h i m s el f ,
A n t o n A nt o n o v i t c h ag r e e s t h a t t h e y a re s i m i l a r ,
thi s point
Gol ­
su p erio r ,
to
of
mind.
read ers to
t h e r e a l i t y o f Go 1 y ad k in ' s
WO r l d .
A n o t h er
a m b ig u o u s
in c id e n t
pr e s e n t s
it s elf i n
Go l ­
y a dk i n ' s r e c ei p t o f a l e t t e r fro m K la r a O l su f y e vna b e g ­
gi n g h i m
to e1 o pe w it h h er .
t h e d es i gn at e d t i m e ,
a p ar t y i s
A s h e w a i t s in h e r y a r d a t
d e l i b e r a t e l y p l an ni n g t o l e a v e w h i l e
i n pr o gr e s s ,
h e f e e l s fo r t h e l e t t e r b u t f i n ds
161
that it
is
m i s s i n g.
fal l e n i n to
n o w u se
it
t h at t h o s e
w in d o ws
Go lyadki n
is
certa in
that
"e vil hand s , " t h o se of h i s d ouble
as
ev i d e n c e
aga in s t h i m .
it
who
h as
will
S u d d e n l y h e no t i c e s
i n s i d e Kl a r a ' s l a r g e h o us e h av e c ro wd e d t o t h e
e n m as se
to g a p e at
hi m .
His
d ou b l e
then
ru sh es
o u t an d d r a g s h i m i ns i d e a g ai n s t h i s w il l , " s t r ai g ht up
to
O l s u fy I va n ov i t c h , "
K la r a ' s
Af t e r O l s u fy I v an o vi t c h
fath e r
( 20 4 ) .
re c e iv e s h i m w a r m l y ,
the
na r ra t o r m ak e s t h e i n t e re s t i n g o b s e rv a t i o n t h a t Go ly a d k i n
f e e l s re c o nc i l e d w i t h e v e r y o ne , e v en "h i s n o x i o u s t w i n
( w h o s e e m e d n o w t o b e b y n o m e a n s n o xi o u s ,
to
be his
twin
at
al l ,
b ut
a p e r so n v e ry a gree a b l e in
h i m s el f an d i n n o w a y c o nne c te d w it h hi m )
It
seem s
p o ss ib l e
to hi m n o w ,
time
Go l ya d k i n ' s
was
h i r ed
•
" ( 20 5 ) .
•
t h at
c oi n c id e n ta l l y a t t h e
h a l l u c in at i o n s
k i n r e a r e d t h i s c l e rk
•
a n d t o t h e r e ad e r ,
t h e c i v i l s e r v i c e h i r e d a n ew c l e rk
same
and not ev e n
b e gan ,
t o r ep la c e
Go l y a d ­
t h at
hi m ,
and
that
he p ro j e c t e d h i s d o ub l e ' s f e a t u r e s o n t o t h i s m a n who i s
e ve r yt h i n g Go l y a d k i n w o u l d l ik e
A f t e r t h i s br i e f p e r io d of
r ienc e s a m o m e nt ary
fo l l o w e d
by
t he
a c t i o n a s th ey
t o be .
l u c i d it y ,
Golyadkin e xpe­
l o s s o f c o ns c i ou s ne s s
t wo
Go lyadk ins
pe r f o rm i ng
a t t e m p t t o s h ak e h a n d s ,
1 62
and
an
fe e l in g
a
m i r ror
act ion that
mi g h t
s e lv e s h a d i t
h a v e r e c o n c il e d t h e t w o
been su c c e s s­
T h e m i r ror i n g e n d s , h o w ev e r , a s G o 1 y a dk i n ' s p a r a­
fu 1 .
no i a r e a ss e r t s i t se l f :
At
th i s
point
i t ��� ��� [ i t a l i c s s u p p l i e d ]
G o l ya d k i n s en i or
sm il ing,
t h at
his
t ha t h e gave
p e r fi d i o u s
a sly,
hurried
f r ie nd
wink t o
s in i s t e r
i n t h e fa c e
of the
junior,
t h a t h e e v e n m a d e a g r i m a c e a t t h e m o m e nt
h i s J u da s
si m p le
v id e s
kiss
•
•
•
•
one
act ual l y
c l ue
t ra n s p i r e s
i na b i l i t y
to
f i n a l b r e ak
m uch
of
w i t hi n
re c o nci l e
wi th
Go l y a d k i n
(207)
t h a t G o ly a d k i n ,
t ha t
so m e t h i ng
w o r t h l e s s M r.
" s e e m e d " i n t h e a b o ve c i t at i on ,
s t at e m e nt
was
Jr.,
t he
r at h e r t ha n t h e
wa s
a ct ion
of
d oub l e
lik e
doubli ng:
and
his
i n di c a te s
t he
b et w e e n h i s t w o s e l ve s .
Gil man's
n a r ra t o r ,
" i t s e em e d
e x p e r i e nc e s
G o l ya d ­
to h i m t h at a n
m u l t i t u d i n ou s
infinite
m u l t i t ud e ,
u n e n d i n g s e ri e s o f p re c i s e l y s i m i l ar G o l y a d k i n s w e re
n o i si l y b u r s t i n g i n a t ev e ry d o o r o f t h e r o o m
At
pro­
story
t he
min d,
G o l y ad k i n ' s
his
sm i l in g ,
As t he J u da s ki s s i s p l an t e d on h i s c he e k ,
an
the
an d t h a t
T h e ve r b
k in ,
was
c ro w d o f on lo o k e r s ,
of
th e r e
to M r.
this
point
a p p e a r on t he
M r.
G o l y ad k in
j u ni o r a n d
s c e ne t o a s si st M r .
1 63
the
•
•
•
"
( 2 07 ) .
p h y s i c i an
Go l ya d k i n s e n i o r i n t o a
c ar r i ag e w h i c h w h i s k s h i m a w a y ,
p r e s u m ab l y t o a s a n i t a r ­
i u m , h i s d o ub l e r u n n i n g a l o n gs i d e t h e c a r r i a g e fo r s o m e
distance.
Dr.
T h e k i nd l y d o c t o r ,
M it c hel l
W e ir
t h e k in d l y
an e m i s s a r y of
Go l ya d k i n as
John,
now
Sat a n s ent
a pp e ars
to
t o t ra n s p o r t h i m
" O u r h e r o s h r i e k e d an d c l u t c h e d h i s he a d i n h i s
t o he l l :
hand s.
or
p o ssi b l y l ik e t h e k i n d l y
Al a s !
pre s e nt i m e nt
The
Fo r a l o n g w h i l e h e h a d b e e n h a u n t e d b y
of
th i s "
p ar a n o i a
Go l y a d k in
doub l ing
an d
and
for
(21 0).
m a n i fe s t i n g
of
a
i t s el f
in
Gil man' s
na r rat o r
w ha t e v e r
reas o n s- - for
th e
resul t s
m ind s
in
of
si mple
p r ot e c t i o n
or
d e s t r u c t i o n- - m a n i f e s t s i t s e l f a l s o i n m ul t i t u d i n o u s d o u b ­
l in g b ut n o t
a c t er .
n e c e s sa r i l y
in
th e
A c c o r d i n g t o O t to R an k ,
sa m e o r d e r
i n e a c h c ha r ­
f o ur m o t i f s a r e
c om m on t o
al l a u t ho r s w h o u s e t h e d o u b l i n g d e v i c e :
1.
Th e d o ub l e " p ri m a r i l y a pp e a r s t o t he m ai n c h a r ­
a c te r
2.
The
as
a
d o ub l e
r e fl e c t i o n . "
"w orks
at
c ro s s - p u r po s e s w i th
its
p ro t o t y p e . "
3.
"T h e
cat a st rophe
w it h
a
wo m an ,
occurs
in
the
p r e d o m in a nt ly
b y w a y o f d e at h
inte nde d
s ec u t o r . "
1 64
fo r
r e lat i o n s h ip
en di ng
in
sui ci d e
th e i r k so m e
per­
The
Jt .
p r o t a go n i s t
c u t o ry
t ur e
del usion
of a to tal
( l'!.HLD..Q.Y.Q.l�
All
often
e x c ep t
k i l l h i s d o u bl e a s ,
•
fro m
the
"p e r s e ­
t h u s a s s u m i ng t h e p i c ­
.
pa rano ic syst e m o f d e l u s i o n s . "
33 )
t h e s e cr i t e r i a o c cur
sk y ' s n o v e l l a
•
s u ff e r s
in
t h at
who l e or
G o l y a d k in
in part i n Dost oev­
does
not
attempt
to
W il l i a m W il s on o r D or ia n
fo r e x a m p l e ,
Gray d o , al t h ough h e do e s h a te Go l y ad ki n ,
J r . , en ough t o
k i l l h i m a nd e x c e p t f o r h i s p u s i l l a n i m o u s n a t u r e w o u l d do
s o ; an d he c e r t a i n l y w i s h e s t o e x t e r m i n a t e h i m f r o m h i s
s i gh t
b y e s c a p i n g f ro m h i s p r e s e n c e .
G i l m an ' s s t o r y a l s o d o e s n o t m e e t a l l t h e s e c r i t e -
ria.
Her
i m a ge " ;
nar rato r 's
her
do u bl e i s a m o r e
d o ub l e ' s
w o rki ng
is m ore subtl e b ec a u s e
at
di f f us ed " m ir r o r
obvious
c r o ss - p u r p o s e s
the n a r ra t o r f i r s t r e s i s t s h e r ,
t h e n wh o l e - he a rt e d ly j o i n s he r a s t hi s s i r en su c k s h e r
in t o
m ad n e s s ;
op posi te
sex,
t he
in
R a n k ' s c r i te ri a ,
than
kill
d e l u si o n s
her
u l t i m at e
th i s
c a t a s t ro ph e
c a se ,
a
m an,
doe s
b ut ,
in vo l v e
the
con t rary
to
t h e narrator want s t o l ib erate rather
d ou bl e ;
o f p e r se c u t i o n ,
the
narrator
and
does
t h e r e fo r e
she
s u f fe r
is
M u c h o f G i l m an ' s n a r r a to r ' s c on f l i c t a r i s e s
1 65
fro m
pa ra n o i d .
f r om
t he
s a m e s o r t o f p a t ri a rc h al
c on f l ict.
T he r e
t u s o f a c l e rk ,
van t s ,
in
are
s o c ie t y w hi c h s p a w n s G o l y a d k i n ' s
s o m e pa r a l l e l s
b et w ee n
t he
sta­
o n e o f t he l o w e s t o rd e r s o f p u b l i c s e r -
n i nete en t h - c en t u ry
R us sia
t hat
an d
of
a
m id dl e - c l a s s m a r r ie d w o m a n i n nin e t e e n t h- c en t ur y A m e r i c a .
T h e c l e rk
ha d
l it tl e m o ney
with
w h ic h
to be
a n d a lt h o u gh t h e w o m an m a y h a v e h a d s o m e
ind ep end e n t ,
ac ces s to h e r
h u s b a n d ' s m o n e y , s h e w a s no t i n d e p e n d e n t b e c a u s e he d e ­
t e r m i n ed
it s
ult i m atel y
loses h i s
w it h o u t
use
i d e nt i t y ,
a
and
her
s a ni t y
ac tion s.
b e c a us e
no b o d y w ho
he
Golyadkin
is
d e s p e r a te l y
e ss en t i al l y
wants
to
b e­
c o m e a so m e bo d y b u t w h o l a c k s t h e s e l f - c on f i d e n c e an d t h e
s o c ia l k n o w l e d g e a n d gr a c e
o t h e r p e op l e .
ego ,
l ike
t o i n t e r a c t s u c c e s s fu l l y w it h
C o nsu m e d b y h i s ego ,
th a t of P o e ' s W i l l i a m W i l so n ,
i n s t ru c t s hi m
in
the
p ro p e r
G i l man ' s n a r ra t o r , ho w ev e r ,
He r
s i t u a t i o n.
twe en her
chal
G o l y a d k in ' s
c on fl i c t
in n a t e s e n s e
s o c i et y
w o r ld v i ew s .
w hi c h
b e h av i o r
s pl it s o f f a nd
ne c e s s a r y
to
e x c e l.
f a c e s a s om e w h a t d i f f e r e n t
aris e s
o f l o gi c
s ha p e s
su p e r ­
f ro m
t he
a n d t h at
both
her
S h e a n d h e r h u s b a n d a re
d i f f e r e n ce s
of
and
be -
th e p a t r i a r ­
her
h u s b an d ' s
di ff e r e n t i n d i s p o -
s i t i o n an d p e r c e p t i o n , y e t b e c a u s e s h e h a s i n t e r n a 1 i z e d
th e
b e l i ef
that
the mal e vi ew is
166
th e
co r r e ct
one ,
sh e
fi n d s i t
difficult to
t r u s t h e r o wn
impre ssio ns.
l am e n t s t h a t " J o h n i s p r a c t i ca l i n t h e e x t re m e .
n o pa t i ence
t i on ,
She
He h a s
w i t h f a i t h , a n i n t e n s e h o r ro r o f s u p e r s t i ­
an d h e s c o f f s o p e n l y a t a n y t a l k o f t h i n g s n o t t o
be
felt
and
In
c o n t ra s t ,
s een and
put
t he
n a r r a to r
and s e e n a nd put
do w n i n
d o w n in
figures"
(Gilman
int u i t s " t h i n g s n o t
figur es, "
and
she
t o be
9).
felt
po s s es s e s a
l iv e l y i m ag i n ati on that w ou ld l i k e t o p r e t e n d t h a t t h e
d e t e r i o ra t i n g m an s i o n
su m m e r i s h a unt e d .
which
t h ey
h ave
J o hn i s a l s o a
w i fe ' s "sl i ght
fo r
h e r d e l ic i o u s s e n se
s p e c u l a t es o n t h a t p o s s ib i l i t y .
p ra c t i ca l p h y s i c i a n w ho
hy s t e r i ca l t e n d e nc y "
r eg i m e n o f " ph o s ph at e s
or
b el ie ve s h i s
c a n b e h e al e d b y a
toni c s ,
ph o s p h i t e s .
j o u r n e y s , an d ai r , a n d e x e r c i s e " a n d n o " wo r k " ( 1 0 ) .
tells his
w i fe
th e
T h e r e a d e r w ho t h ri l ls a t hi nt s o f
m ys t e r y a n d g o t h i c p h e n o me n a c a n fe el
o f a d ve nt u r e a s s h e
r e nt e d
and f ri e nd s and
rel ative s
that
sh e
and
He
h as
o n l Y a " t e m p o r a r y ne r vo u s d e p r e s s i o n , " b u t t he pa t i ent
h e r s el f b e l i e v e s s h e i s
s i c k a nd t h a t " co ng e n i a l w o r k ,
w i t h e x c i t e m e n t a n d c h a n ge ,
So
begi n s
n a r ra to r w i l l
a l i t y . T he
a
w o u l d d o me
d e s ce n t i n t o
m a d n e ss
go o d "
t hr ou gh
(1 0).
w hich
t he
f i n al l y e xp e r i e n c e a d o ub l i n g o f h e r p e r s on ­
c on f l i c t
b e t w e e n J o h n a n d h i s w i f e an d w i t h i n
1 67
t h e n a r r at o r h e r s e l f i s
•
S h e be l i e ve s s he i s i l l ,
d o e s no t b e l i e v e
*
r e f l e ct e d i n t h e f o l l o w i n g s c he m a :
S he
d i sa gre e s
cure ;
her
sh e i s i l l ;
w i t h John
view
u p b r i ngi n g,
a n d s h e b e l ie v e s t h at J o h n
of
a b o u t t h e c o n d i t i on s o f
t he
i s i n m an y
w o rl d ,
c on t ra r y
res p e c t s
he r
to
her
d i f fe r e n t f r o m
his ;
•
She i s a m b iv a le n t a b o ut h e r w r i t i n g ,
w hich ca n b e
vi e w e d a s a m b i v a l e nc e t o w ar d a m o re
inde pen d en t ,
act i v e
•
1i fe
•
good fo r
he r ;
Jo h n t h a t
it i s
She
fe e l s
0 n th e o n e h a n d ,
s h e b e 1 ie v e s it i a
o n t h e o t h e r h an d ,
s he
agrees
wit h
no t ;
gu i lt y
b eca use
sh e
di s agr e e s
w it h John' s
log i c .
i m p a t i e n c e w i th
T h e n a r ra t o r ' s
He s e l d o m
Jo h n i s e a si l y u n d e r s t o o d .
a g r e e s w i t h h i s w i fe ' s a n a l y s e s .
H e l a u gh s
at
h e r w h e n s h e t h i nk s som e t h i n g a b o u t t he ho u se i s qu e e r ;
h e s hu t s the
w hen
she
window a n d t el l s he r s he fee ls a
says
" t he r e
is
somet hing
st range
d ra u g h t
about
the
h ouse - - I c a n fee l it" ( 1 1 } ; s he hate s t h e i r be d r oo m , b u t
J o h n h a s " lo g i c a l " r e a s o n s w hy s h e c a n n o t m ov e t o p r et ­
t i e r o n e s d o w n s t a i r s ; i n s h o rt ,
l it t l e .
She w a n t s to
t h e y a c t u al l y a g re e
t r u s t h e r o wn
1 68
i n t u it i o n s ,
but
on
she
has
been
lo g i c .
co ndi t i oned
As
she
to
ins tead
J o h n 's
l ea r n ed
a c c ep t s h i s an a l y s e s an d e x p l a n a t i o n s a n d
a l w ay s n e ga te s h e r o wn ,
very
trust
she
fi n d s he r s e l f n e ga t in g h e r
s e lf.
W r it in g m i g h t b e
a m e an s o f r e a l i z i n g h e r i d e n t i t y ,
b u t s h e i s am b iva l e n t a b o u t h e r w r i t i n g ,
b ut n o t w i sh i n g t o d i s o b ey J o h n ,
h u s b an d ,
w rite
w i s h i n g to w r i te
h e r p h ysi c i an a n d h e r
h e r b r o t h e r w h o i s a l so a p h y s i c ia n :
or
fo r
a
while
in
spite
of
t he m ;
e x ha u s t m e a g re a t d e a l - - h a v i ng t o b e s o
o r e l s e m e et
This
re l a t e d
w it h h e av y o pp o s i t i o n "
c on f e s si on
mo re
to
w ri t i n g i t se lf.
her
s u gg e s t s
gu i l t
t hat
it
di d
.St.Q � �
s ly a b out i t ,
( 1 0).
her
e xhau stion
a t d i s o b ey i n g J o h n t h a n t o
is
the
J o h n i s " s t e r n " a n d " r e p r o a c h fu l " - - a n d
I f h e we r e n o t f r i g h te n e d ,
f r ig h te n e d .
but
"I
his wife
t o n a m e he r il lne s s ,
w i t h h e r.
Ins tead,
h e wo u l d a l l o w
and h e c ou l d d i s c u s s i t
h e i n a dv e r t e n t l y s u c c e e d s i n a s s u r in g
h e r t h a t i f he r c o n d i t i o n d e t e r i o r at e s ,
it
wil l be her
o w n f au lt : sh e w i l l have f a n c i e d it s o s tr o n g l y , s h e w i l l
hav e b r o u ght i t t o p a s s .
feel
g ui lt y
ab o u t .
N o w s h e h a s so m e t h i n g e l s e t o
Gu i l t ,
ac co r d i n g t o
Ot to
R a nk ,
is
t h e " m o st p ro m i n e n t s y mp t o m o f t h e fo r m s w h i c h t h e d o ub l e
t ak e s
•
•
•
[ i t ] f o r c e s t h e h e r o [ a n d w e m u s t a s s um e t h e
1 69
h e r o in e , I s up p o s e ] no l o n g e r t o a c c e p t
for
certain
act ion s
a n o t he r eg o ,
of
a d o u b le "
h is
ego ,
(76).
b ut
r es p on s i bi l ity
to
pla ce
G il m an ' s n ar r a t o r
u pon
it
gr a d u a l -
l y p l ac e s t h e r e sp o ns i b i l i ty fo r he r i n de p en d e n t t h i n k i n g
up on t h e w o m a n s h e p e r c ei v e s
L i k e G o l ya d k i n ,
m ul t i t u di n o u s
d o u b l e e ar l y
in the wa l l p ap er .
G i l m an ' s n a r r a to r s o m e t i m e s s e e s t h e
d o u bl e .
i n t he
Un l ik e
s t o ry ,
Go l y ad ki n
w ho
sees
his
s he i m ag in e s t h a t s h e s e es
m u l t i t u d i n o u s d o u b l e s b e f o r e s h e fo c u s e s o n h e r s i n g l e
do ub le :
" I a l w a y s f a n c y I s e e p e op l e w a l k i n g i n t h o s e
n um e r o u s
b e gi n s t o
p a t hs
and
( 1 5).
arbors
Then
she
g r ad ual l y
di s c e r n a s i n g l e e n t i t y i n s id e t h e p a p e r :
Behind
that
o ut s i d e
c l e a re r
e ve ry d a y.
pattern
I t i s a l w a ys t h e s a m e
So meti mes
be h i n d ,
�
t h in k
s h ap e ,
t h e re
the
dim
sh a p e s
g et
o n l y ve ry n um e ro u s
a re
a
a n d som etimes only one
gre a t
•
•
.
.
m an y
( 22 ) .
wo m e n
(30)
S h e f i n a l l y i d e n t i fi e s t he m u l t i t u d e o f e y e s i n t h e p a p e r
a s those
of
g et t h r o u gh ,
turns
( 30 )
them
wom en w ho
h a ve
di e d
try i n g t o e s ca p e :
a n d t h en t h e p a t t e r n s t r a ng l e s t h e m
upside
d o wn ,
and
m ake s
th eir
ey e s
"T h e y
off and
white!
•
Unlike
Go l y a d k i n
w ho
u l t i m at e l y i d e n t i f ie s w i t h
1 70
the
multiple
d o u b l in g s h e
nar rat o r s e e s
fr o m
the
m a ny
w al l pa p e r ,
s e e s a s " many G o lyadkin s , " t his
wo m en w h o s h e th in k s may h a v e c o m e
but
she
u l t i ma tel y
id e n t i f i e s w i t h
o n l y o n e o f t he m :
"I d o n't
are
l i k e t o l,..Q.Q.!_{ o u t o f th e w i n d o w s e v e n - - t h e r e
s o m ar. y o f t h o s e c re e p i n g w o m e n ,
an d t h e y c r e e p
so f as t .
I w o n de r i f t h e y a l l c a m e o u t o f t h a t w a l l p a p e r a s I
did? (35 )
At
t h i s p o i n t t h e n a r ra t o r ha s
s he d i s c e r n s
Also
in
l ik e
the
Go l y a d k i n ,
sh e
e xh i b i t s m an y o f t h e
clas­
T h e e a r l i e s t in d i c at i o n o f a
p a r a n o i a i s h e r r e a l i z a t i on a n d r e s en t m e n t t h a t J o h n
does n o t t hink
t h ey
t h e w o m an
wal l pape r.
s i c s y mp t o m s o f p a r an o ia .
m il d
bec o m e one w ith
c ame
to
He r p ar a n o i a
p o s s e s si v e
she
the
r e a l ly i l l
c o u nt r y
s ol e l y
w h e n i t i s o b v i ou s t ha t
fo r
her
r e c u p e rat i on .
b e c o me s m o r e m a rk e d l a t e r a s s he b e c o m e s
abo u t
J o hn ' s i n t e n t i o n s.
an d " ca u gh t h i m
J ennie t o o .
is
t h e p a p e r an d
s u s p i c i o u s o f J e n ni e ' s a n d
S h e re l a t e s t h at s h e h a s w a t c he d h i m
s e v e r a l t i m e s l.Q..Q.!_{j�z_�t_!b�-����� 1
I caught J e nny
171
w i t h h e r h an d o n i t
an d
on ce . "
S he a s k e d J e n n y " i n a q u i et ,
mo st
a v e ry q u i e t v o i c e ,
r e s t ra in e d m a nn e r p o s s i b l e ,
t h e p a p er . "
if sh e had
J en n y w a s
b e e n c a u gh t
a s k e d m e w h y I s h ou l d
La t e r ,
she
st a rt l e d ,
s t e a l in g ,
f ri ght en
he r s o "
ti me !
story,
ha s
mind
But
I am
p ul l in g
her e ,
re sc ue d
t he
w i th
in di ca t i n g
sh e
h e r s el f .
and no person
f ro m
h e r fu l l y .
t hat
off
b eh i n d
Sh e
he rs e l f
tou ches
is
no
p a t r i ar c h a l i m p r i s o n m ent ,
also
if,
this
more.
s h r i ek s a t J o hn
responsible
i n d ee d ,
S he
t h e w al l p a p e r
t h at
" i n s p i t e o f y o u a n d J a ne "
was
The
By t h e v e r y en d o f t h e
s u b m i s si v e w i f e
wo m an
ha s g o t t e n o u t a t 1 a s t
i t
J e n n i e l au g h s a n d
" H o w s h e b e t ra y e d
m e - - n o t �J. i .Y � I " ( 3 3 ) .
t h e na r ra t o r as
i d e n t i fi e s
qui t e a n gr y - ­
( 27 ) 1
ha s pul le d o f f t he w al l ,
w o u l d n 't
p ap e r b u t
" s h e t u r ne d a r o un d a s
an d l o ok e d
n ar r a t o r r e a c t s w i t h p a r a n o ia :
t hat
s h e w a s d o in g w i th
whe n Je nni e is ama z e d a t b o w m u c h pape r h e r
s i s t e r- in - l a w
says
so
what
wit h t h e
fo r
and
sh e
(36),
her
her nam e is Jane a s
s o m e c r i t i c s , i n c l u d i n g t h i s o n e , b el i e v e . H e r c o o p e r a ­
t i o n i s i n d i c at e d b y h e r v a c i l l a t i o n t h ro u g h o ut t h e s to ry
toward
J ohn ' s
ov e r b e a r i n g c o n d u c t .
The
p ar t
of
ber
that
ha s b e e n c o n d i t i o n e d b y h e r s o c i e t y a n d p r e v e n t e d f r o m
m a t u r i n g w a nt s t o c o o p e ra t e w i t h J o h n i n
i m m at u re b e h a v i o r t h a t a l l o w s
1 72
co n t i n u in g t h e
h e r t o b e c a re d fo r a s a
chi ld ;
an o t h e r p a r t o f
o p p o r t u n i t y t o g r ow
he r b e i n g ,
a n d m a tu r e .
t h i s en d i n g a s a n e s c a p e ,
Ac c o r d i n g
hi s
to
wi fe
c a p a bl e
are
of
m al e .
a kind
i n to
a
of
w o m an ' s
orde r
i m ma t u r i t y
J o h n an d
b o th
m an ki n d
was
on l y
the
al l o w e d t o d e v e l o p h e r p o t en t i a l
O t h e rw i s e ,
s e en
vi c to r y o v e r J o h n .
b e l i ev e d
h i gh e r
d e m a n d s t he
cr i t i c s have
h ow ev e r ,
Gil m an
losers.
ev o l v i n g
f e ma l e w e re
the
Som e
p h i l o s o ph y ,
G i l m an 's
ho w ev e r ,
if
a l o n g w i th
a nd
de p e n d e n c e
w o u l d h o l d t h e r a c e b a c k f r o m i t s fu l l g r o w t h .
Do s t o e v s k y ' s G o l ya d ki n
an d G i l m a n 's n a r ra t or b ot h
s e e t he i r " m i r r o r i m a g e s , " t h e n , b u t w i t h a d i f f e r e n c e .
G i l m a n ' s n a r r a t o r i s a b l e t o i d e n t i fy w i t h t h e c r e e p i n g
s ha d o w w o m a n b e c a us e s h e a p p e a r s a s t h a t
p e r c e i ve s h e r s el f t o
s he
i d en t i fi e s
J an e ,
be :
a
c r e e pi n g s h a d o w f ig u r e .
fu l l y w it h t h i s ph a n to m ,
a s a n e wo m an s t r u g gl i n g t o b e ,
b u t a n on - p e r s o n w i t h n o n a m e .
h as
fo l lo w ed
t u re ,
ki l l
the
it
as
male
to
of
her
an
i d e n t ity ,
d o ubling in
h at i n g he r d ou b l e
love
s h e i s n o l onge r
t o have
do u b l e s f r e q u e n tl y d o ,
e v e n t u a l l y b e gi n s
When
G i l m a n i n m a n y r e sp e c t s
cl a s s i c e xa m p l e s
b ut i n ste a d o f
s ub m i s s iv e w i fe
do ub l e
an d
a t t e m p t i ng
Gilman's
a nd
l i t e ra ­
to
n a r ra t o r
a t t em p t s
to
l i b e ra t e h e r a s sh e w o u l d l i k e t o b e l i b e r a t e d h e r s e l f .
W hen t ha t
a ct
is co m p le t e ,
1 73
s h e an d h e r d o u b l e a r e o n e
and
the
sa m e
T h e se
bars
i n h e r t o rm e n t e d m in d .
wo m en
the m s elve s
f rom
the
c r e a t e d b y t h e m u l t i t ud i n o u s l i n e s t h a t
fo r m
t he
as
s ym b o l ic
tern's
fu l l
r a t o r ' s i n s a n i t y.
bo y a n t
of
the
and
e s pe c i al l y
c o n f u si o n s
Viewed
fro m
r e p r e s e n t s p a t r i ar c h a l
pattern
com m it ti ng
" d u l l " a n d t h e r e fo r e
th o u g h ,
to
be
eve ry
be
t o n o av a i l .
bu t
p e r si s t e n t l y ,
i n t o " un he a rd
n a l i s t i c l o gi c
i ned
s t i m u l a te
th e
nar-
p e r s pe ct i ve ,
t he
a " s p r a wl in g f l a m ­
sin"
wh ic h
f a b r ic of s o ci e t y .
This
T he
It
law.
a co n s t a n t
b ut
p at ­
a rt i s t i c
u n o b t r u si v e
n atural
a
t he
s o f i rm l y i n p eo p le ' s m i n d s t h a t i t i s
l o g i c i s em b e d d e d
to
s o c i et y
si nc e
thi s
l o gi c ,
s p r e a d s fl a m b o ya n t l y o v e r t h e
seems
an i n t e rp r e t a t i o n o f t h e
n i ne t e e n t h - ce n t u r y
s e l f - i d en t i t y ,
c o n t r ad i c t i on s
p a t t e rn
f r ee
w o m e n i n t he i r ho m e s a n d k e pt th e m f r o m
w hi c h i m p r is o n e d
de v e l op in g
to
wa l l p a p e r s u g g es t
patte rn of the
wa l l paper
st r u g gl i n g
wa l l p a p e r
p r ev a l e n t
p ro n o u nc e d
p at t e r n
c urv e s
com mi t t i n g s u ic i d e
o f c o n t ra d i c t i o n s "
be
is
so
it
en o u g h ,
ir r i t a n t a n d t o " pr ov o k e s t u d y , "
b e fo r e
w ou ld
b ut
seen
to
(13),
do
if
b y p l u ngi n g
a s m uc h o f
it
l a m e ly ,
p at e r ­
could be
e xa m ­
o b j e c t iv e ly .
In
a d di t i o n t o t h e c u rv e s a n d c o nt ra d i c t i o n s ,
p a t t e r n c o n t ai n s " a
re cu r r e n t
1 74
s po t
w he r e
[it]
lol ls
t he
l i ke
a b ro k en n e ck an d t w o b u l bo u s e y es st a r e a t y o u u p s i d e
dow n.
•
a b s u r d , un b l i n ki n g e ye s a r e e v e ry w h e r e " ( 1 6 ) .
T h e s e e y e s c o v e r i ng t h e w a l l s ( m u l t it u d i n o u s d o ub l i n g )
w a t c h h e r c o n s t a nt l y w i th " mu ch
e x p r e s si o n "
(16).
Big
B r o t he r m a k e s s u r e s h e d o e s n o t w r i t e , o r , a t l e a s t , h e
r e m ini s c e n t of t h e o ld P ro t e s t a n t
w a t c h e s w hi l e sh e do e s ,
hym n,
" T h e re ' s
An A l l - S e e i n g E y e
t he s e
e y e s a r e a p ro d u c t
of
W at e h in g Y o u . "
th e gu i l t
sh e
N o do ubt
f e e l s w h en
sh e
d i s ob e y s J o h n b y w r i t i n g o r b y t h i n k i n g h e r o w n s u b v e r ­
si v e
t h o u gh t s .
As h e r i l l n e s s p r og r e s s e s ,
t h e s e m u l t i t u d in o us d o u b l i n g s ,
t hes e ey e s,
b e c o m e e m b e d d e d i n w o m en ' s
h e a d s w h i c h a r e "s t ra ng l e d o f f" a s t h e w o m e n a t t e m pt t o
e sc a pe :
" I t h ink
t h a t i s w hy i t h a s
T he y get
them
t hrough,
off
an d
and
t ur n s
so
m an y h ea d s .
t hen t h e
them
p att e rn
upsid e
do w n ,
s t r an g l e s
and
m ak e s
t he i r e y e s w h i t e !
I f t h o s e h e ad s w e re cov e r ed o r t ak en o f f i t wo u l d
no t
T hi s
b e h a l f s o b a d.
pattern
ar ranged
on
repe t ition,
hea rd o f"
of
any
r e c u r r i n g h ea d s
laws
of
o r sy m m et ry ,
( 20 ) .
( 30 )
and
bulbou s eyes
ra d i at i o n o r
i s " no t
alt ern at i o n ,
o r a n y th in g e l s e
or
t h a t I e ve r
T h e l a w s o f t h i s p at e r n a l i s t i c l o g i c ,
1 75
t hen ,
at
a c t u al l y
fr o m
fo l l o w
no n a t u r a l
o n e p e r s p e c t iv e ,
la w s at
I f l o o ke d
all.
" e ac h br ea d t h st a n d s al o n e ,
the
b l o a t e d c u rv e s a n d f l o u r i s h e s [ d en o t i n g p o m p o u s c i r cu m l o ­
c u t i o n s a n d ci r c um s t anc e ]
in
i s o l at e d
c ol u m ns
of
•
•
•
go w a d d l i n g u p a n d d o w n
f a t ui ty"
s e e m s t o s t a n d a l o n e in i s o l a t i o n ,
(20).
like
a lot
of
p rinc i pl e
b u t a c t u al l y o n c l o s er
i n s p e c t i o n 11 t h e y c o n ne c t d i a g o n a l l y ,
o u t l in e s r u n of f in
Ea c h
and the
s p r a w l i ng
gr e a t sl a n t i n g w a ve s o f o p t i c
wallowing s ea weed s i n
T hu s e a c h p r in c ip l e i s p r o p p e d u p b y
fu l l
hor r o r ,
chase "
(20).
a n o t h e r p r in ci p l e
i n a d i a go n a l w e a v i n g s o t h a t t h e e n t i re l o gi c w h i c h at
f irst
ap p e a r e d
T o ma k e
s t r a i g h t i s no w s e e n t o s l a nt
m at t e r s w o rs e ,
o n th e b i a s .
i t a l s o " g o e s h o r i z o nt a l l y" a n d i s
c a p p e d of f w i t h a " ho r i z o n t a l b r e a d t h fo r a f r i e z e , a n d
T h i s p a­
t h a t a dd s w o n d er ful l y t o t h e c o n fus i o n " ( 2 0 ) .
t e r n a l i s t i c " l o gi c " p r o d u c e s a c o n f u s i n g p a t t e r n o f i n ­
t e r m i ng l e d st r a i g h t ,
that
will
l at e r
be
d i a go n a l ,
se e n
to
and h o r i z o n t a l " t r ut h s"
fo r m
bars
th at
imprison
a
s h a d o w y w o m a n w h o r e p r es e n t s h a l f t h e h u m a n r a c e .
S u n l i gh t
(or
d a y l i gh t )
and
t ra s t i n g ro l e s i n i l l u m in at i n g t he
m o o nl i g h t
t r ut h s
play
i n t hi s
con­
s to r y .
T h e r o o m h a s m an y w in d ow s an d ev i d e n t l y n o s h ade s o r c ur ­
tains ,
s o s un l i g ht , p e r h a p s
su gge s t iv e o f t h e
176
m al e
go d
A pol l o ,
and mo onl i gh t ,
perhaps
s y m bo l i c o f t he
go d d e s s
D i an a ,
thro ugh
the
s t r ai n t .
v is i b le
The
is
s tr ea m
s un l ig h t
fe m a l e
w i t h o ut
room
c o n­
ma sks t h e b a rs so t hat al l t h at i s
c o nf u si o n
to
the
n a r ra t o r ,
t he
p a t t e r n' s
" la c k o f s e qu ence , a d e f ianc e o f la w , t h a t i s a c o n s ta nt
i rri t ant
to
a
norm a l
m i nd"
(25)
p a t e r n a l i s t ic l o g i c t he n a r r a t o r
t hi s po i n t h e r
c a u s e d b y he r
that
rep res en t s
th e
ca n n o t d e c i p h e r .
At
m i n d i s b e g i n n i n g t o s h o w s i gn s o f s t r e s s
e f fo rt s
to
co m p r e h en d t h e
t er n o f t h e l o gi c t h a t h a s
been
u n de r w a y
s au l t
knocks
a bad
fo l l o wi ng,
in
a n d t he re
yo u a r e .
pat­
fo r c e d u p o n i t :
Y o u t h i nk y o u h a ve m a s t e r e d i t ,
wel l
" t o r t u r i ng"
it
b u t j u st a s yo u g e t
tu r ns
a
I t slaps you
you.
y o u d o w n an d t r a m p l e s u po n
b ac k - s o m e r ­
i n t h e fa c e ,
I t is
like
d re a m . ( 2 5 )
T h i s p a s s a g e s u bt l y e xp r e s s e s a wo m an ' s e x p e r i e n c e i n a
m an ' s w o r l d .
th in k s sh e h a s
t ur n o n h e r .
we re
no t
She
at t e m p t s
t o m a s te r t h e
f in a l l y d e c i ph e re d th e m ,
once
s he
o n l y t o h a ve th e m
O n l y t h en do e s s he re a l i ze t h at t h e r u l e s
e s t a b l i s h ed
t h a t ��� m i g h t h a ve
h e r s o l e c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o t he
c om f o r t ,
rule s ,
c o ns ol ation ,
t an t s - - i n s h o r t ,
w o r l d w ou l d
a l i fe b u t
be
th a t
t o p r ov i de
a nd ch i l d ren t o i t s m a l e i nh ab i­
to p r op u p t he l i ve s o f ot he r s .
177
The
da y l i g h t
shows
th e
p at te rn
to
t h r i v e s in
t o "a t oad s t ool i n
t oad s to o l s ,
t ions"
fe r s
join ts,
da n k ,
flo rid
u n he a l th y p l a c e s ,
an d
a n i nt e r m i na b l e s t r i n g o f
b u d d in g a nd s p r o ut i n g i n e nd l e s s
c o nv o l u ­
J o i n t e d t o a d s t o o l s a r e u nn at u r a l ,
a s i s t he
(25 ).
t wisted
d a rk ,
"a
" a fungus , " a
ar a b e s q u e , " a n d m a l e l o gi c i s l i k e n e d t o
g r o w th w h i c h
be
logic
t h e na r ra t o r e n d u r e s .
John,
h ow e v e r ,
s uf-
n o d i s c o m fo r t f r o m t h e c o nv o l u t i o n s o f t h e p a tt e r n ;
h e r e ma i n s i n t he r o om a t n i g h t a n d i s u n w il l i n g t o a l l o w
w i fe
his
al izes,
to
l eave.
t hen
the
do e s
t h at
a p pa l l s
Jo hn,
as
b e ga n t o
not
it
t he
th i s
p e r h ap s
m o onli ght
n i g ht
t he
hor rors
fo r
has to her
his
she
No ,
p e r fe c t l y
in
vi su-
r efu sal
is sad i s t i c ,
c o n cl u s i on .
nar ra to r s e e m s
to
an d the
the
l o gi c
n at u ra l
th e p a s t b e fo re
to
she
it.
T h e p a t t e r n c h an g e s ,
"B y
sees
t o an o t h e r r oo m
sup po rt
st u d y
he
o n l y e x p l an a t i on
all ow her to move
text
If
I w o u ldn ' t
it
h ow e ve r ,
know
b ec o m es
it
b ars ! "
a s t h e l i gh t
was t he s a m e
c ha n g e s :
pap er .
Il l um in a t e d
(26).
At
by
D i a n a ' s m o o n l i gh t , t h e p a t t e r n f i n a l l y b e c o m e s c l e a r to
the
narra tor :
p r i nC i p l e s
"n a tu r a l "
T he s e
t hat
la w s
cross
ac t u a l ly
ve rtical ,
and
d i a go n a l ,
c r iss-cross
fo r m b a r s t o
1 78
to
h o r i z o n t al
fo r m
impr ison
s o - ca l l e d
t he f emale
m em b e r s o f t he rac e .
F ur t h e r , o n l y a t n i g h t i s t h e w o m an
beh in d t he b a r s reveal e d :
qui e t.
I
sti l l.
It
h our "
is
(26 ).
e it h e r
in
te m p t s
t he
fan c y
the
l o gi c
r e si gn e d
pattern
It
that
ke e p s
he r
k ee p s me
q u iet
by
s e rv e s
a c c e p t a n ce
to
ke e p
women
o f t h e i r f at e
so
the
quiet
o r i n at ­
t o d e c i p h e r t h e p u z z l e ; f e m a l e l o g i c r ev e a l s t o
wi th
Gi l m a n ,
t he
t r ut h a b o u t
t ak e s
r efuge
pr o s p e c t ,
in a new
the
her s
Y oung
G il m a n ' s
id e n t i t y
was "a
W i fen
b y S c ha r n h o r s t
qu ot e d
l.!L.I.D..1JL.Q..Y.r_.l! .Q.r.l..Q ;
that
he r s i tuat i on :
( G i 1 m a n , "T o
b e yo n d I "
no
R a t h e r th a n f ac e
ca l l y
is
pu z z l i ng .
so
M al e
n a r r a to r
1 if e
it
"By d ay li g h t s h e i s s u b du e d ,
1 0-1 1 )
na r ra t o r
w h os e
in
.
ironi­
o n l y " be y o n d "
is w i t h i n he r o w n m i n d .
Whil e
s i g ni f i ca n t
d i f fe r e n c e s
do
exi st i n
t he
a t ti ­
t u d e s o f D o s to ev s k y an d G i l m a n t o w a r d t h e d o u b l e s i n t h e
t w o w o r k s d i s c u s s e d i n t h i s s t ud y ,
ab l e s i m i l a r i t i e s .
ac co unt
d ou b lin g
J o se p h
fo r
or
t he
Con ra d ' s
P e r ha p s ge n d e r , t h e r e f o r e , d o e s n o t
di ff e r e n c e s .
the
t h e r e ar e a l s o r em a r k ­
A c u r s o r y e xa m in a t i o n of
m a n if e s t at ion
"T h e S e c r et
of
the
o t he r
self
S h a r e r , " E di t h W h a r t o n ' s
in
"T h e
T r iu m p h o f N i g ht , n Fl a n n e r y O ' C o n n o r ' s "E v e r y t h i n g T h a t
R i s e s M u s t C on v e r g e , " a n d V i r gi n i a Wo o l f ' s M .r��.ll.Q �a� ,
f or
in s t anc e ,
a pp e a rs
to
provide
179
e v i d en ce
t ha t
an
author' s
ga n ge r
s e x i s n o t a n i m p o rt a n t f a c t o r i n t h e d o p p e l ­
trea t m e nt.
Th er e
b e t w e en
are ,
Gil man ' s
h e l p fu l d o u b l e
Like
fo r
G i l m an ' s
cap t a in
is
exa mp le ,
nar rat o r
an d
unm is t a k a b l e
C o n ra d ' s
in h i s s ho r t st o ry ,
unnamed
n e ve r
n a r r at o r ,
g iv e n
a
name ,
p o r t r ay a l
l ik e G i lman's
n a r ra t or ,
C onra d ' s
t h o u gh
is
un t r i e d
and
a
s ea
do u ble ,
his
a
T h e yo un g s ea
in a s t r e s s fu l s i t u a ­
t i o n a t t h e m o m e n t h i s d o ub l e e n t e r s h i s l i f e .
his f ir s t com mand,
of
"T h e S e c r e t S h a r e r . "
fu gi ti v e f r o m j u s t i c e , i s n a m e d L e g g a t t .
captain,
paral lel s
This is
h e i s an x i o u s t o p e r f o r m w e l l ,
b u t he i s a w a r e t h at t h e c r e w w a t c h e s a n d j u dg e s ev e ry
move m en t .
J u s t as G i l m a n ' s n a r r a t o r ' s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h
an d a s su mp t i on o f h e r d o u b l e ' s i d e n t i t y g iv e s h e r c o u r a ge
t o pro c la i m h e r i d en ti t y t o J ohn,
L e g ga t t i n f u s e s t h i s
c a p t a i n w i t h t h e a u r a o f a ut ho r i t y ne c e s s a r y fo r s u c c e ss ­
fu l
l e a d e r sh i p
com mand
in
m e rge s w i t h
as
he
o ri s i s .
i d e n t i fi e s
Un l i ke
h e r d ou b l e ,
L e g ga t t ' s
G i l m an ' s n a r r at o r
th e
L e gg at t
i s a s e p a r at e b e i n g,
"s e c o n d
s el f"
( 3 82 ) .
w i th
ca pt a i n a l wa y s
a l be i t h e
Ne ve r t he l e s s ,
he
who
p ow e r of
fi n al l y
re a l i z e s t h a t
d o e s c al l
him
his
m a k e s a n in t e r e s t ­
i n g o b s e r v a t i o n t h a t c au s e s t h e re a d e r t o w on d e r a b o u t
the
r e a l i t y o f L e g ga t t ' s
p hy s i c a l p r e s e n c e :
1 80
an
i r re s is t i b l e
ted
t h ro u gh
doubt
my
of
mind.
his
Can
bo d i l y e x i s t e n c e f l i t ­
it
be ,
I
a sk e d
my s e l f ,
t h a t h e i s n o t vi si b l e t o o t h e r ey e s t h an mi ne ?
It
w a s l ik e b e i n g h a un t e d .
I t h i n k I h ad c o m e c r e e p i n g q u i e tl y a s n e a r i n s a n i t y
a s any m a n wh o h as n o t a c t ua l l y g o n e o v e r t he b or ­
de r .
T he
( 374)
s a m e s e n t i m e nt s a r e
ec h o e d
ography as s h e r e p o r t s that
b y G il m an
one
i n h e r au t o b i ­
p h y s i c i a n w h o r ea d h e r
s t o r y a s k e d i f s h e h a d b e e n t h e r e a nd s h e a n s w e r e d ,
f ar a s o n e c a n go
c o ur s e ,
cr e e p s
stor y's
t he
a p p r ov a l o f
an d s t i l l
t o w a rd
end.
c o m e ba c k . "
p e rh a p s
C o n r ad ' s
H e r n a r ra t o r ,
i r re d e e m a b l e
s e a cap t ai n ,
in s a n i t y
h o w e v er ,
w i ns
"A s
of
by
t he
b e c a u se h e i s a s u c c e s s fu l c a p t a i n .
h i s cre w
L e gg a t t ' s r e t r e a t i n t o t he
sea
t o avo i d d e t ec t io n
a n d t h e r e b y t o s av e h i s i n n e r m o s t s e l f , n o t f r o m d e a t h s o
m uc h
as
f ro m
t he
c en sure
of
t h os e
w ho
a dhere
to
the
le t t e r o f t h e l a w b u t e s c h e w i t s s p i r i t , r e s e m b l e s E d n a
Pontel l i er ' s
e s c a p e i n t o t h e s e a t o s a v e h e r i n n e r m o st
s el f f r o m b e i n g a b s o r b e d b y t h e i d e n t i t y w h i c h so c i e t y
h as
re s e rve d
si m p l e
fo r
murderer,
her .
as
L e g ga t t d o e s n o t vi e w
th e
l aw
of
181
h is
h i m s e lf a s a
so c i e t y d o e s ,
and
he ,
like Edna,
be j u dged by i t .
r e fu se s t o
ac t ua l l y g i v e n a c o m m an d t h a t
four
l ive s
dur ing a
s to r m
A ft e r a l l ,
s a ve d t he
w h en
th e
ship
sh ip ' s
an d
he had
twenty­
cap tain had
b e c o m e a f r a i d an d " w h i m p e r e d " i n s t e a d o f t ak i n g c h a r g e
(3 7 0 ) .
who
In
the
r e fu s e d
midst
of
t o a c k n ow l e d ge h i s
re a c h l a n d a n d b e c o m e
be
in t o a n o t her
hom eless
s uic ide
but
ra t h e r
d i s co ve r ,
i n f ac t ,
sea of
not
than
los t
s e lf l es s.
lose a
as
we l l
as
J ohn
" i n t en s iv e l y
a c k no w l e d g e
vis ible
Fa x o n .
wea lt hy
la w by
on e
cris is.
b e in g
E dn a
j u st
c om m i ts
b egun t o
n egat ive
his
to
write
a
e vi l d o ub l e s .
ab o ut
p o r t ra y s a n e v i l d o u bl e i n
This
an
un u su a l t w i st
d e s cr i b ed
as having an
s to r y h a s
m an
p e r so n a l i t y "
e v i l d ou b l e ,
anot her
his
pe r son,
( 32 9 ) ,
t ru e
t he
re fus e s
s el f ,
F r a nk
R ain e r,
1 82
and
w hi c h
n a r r a to r
to
is
G eorge
a s e c r e t a ry t o t h e
w ho p r op i t io u s ly b e c o m e s a c q u a i n t e d
n e p h ew ,
she,
a s an e c h o i c e to e n d h e r l i f e .
for exampl e,
Lav i ngton,
ab­
h e w il l
At b e s t ,
sh e h as
F a xo n i s a d e c e n t e n o u gh m a n ,
weal thy ,
in the
Ch op i n 's
s el f
m en
"T he T r i u m p h o f N i gh t . "
made
t o form al
fo r e i g n e r s .
ap p a r e n t l y m ak e s
Ed i t h W ha r t o n ,
that
l ead er s h i p
but t he re i s n o e v i d e nce s he i s insane ;
Wo men
in
c o n f usi o n L e g ga t t k i l l e d
u n l i ke E d na w h o a c t i v e l y s e ek s de a t h , h o p e s t o
L e g ga t t ,
s o r b ed
th e
the
w ith t he
w e a lt hy
uncle.
A l t h o u gh Jo h n L a v i n g to n
t io n for Ra i ner ,
p ro f e s se s a g r e a t
deal
o f a ff e c ­
F a x o n i s a m a z e d t o v i e w a n e vi l d o u b l e
of L a vi ng to n s t a n d i n g b e h i n d
that
o ne ' s
c ha i r an d
l e e r ing
at R a i n e r w i t h u n a d u l t e r a t e d h a t r e d , b u t n o o n e a p p e a r s
to
W h e n a sk e d i f h e h a s
s e e t h i s c r e a tur e e xc ep t F a x o n .
d o ub l e , L a v i n g t on d en ie s t h e po s s ib i l it y ,
to n e o f h i s de n i al
e xi s t s :
"A h ?
he is
c a se
but th e v e r y
i nd i c a t e s t h a t h e i s aw a r e t ha t
I t ' s p o s s i b l e I ' v e a d o z en " ( 3 3 7 ) .
n i al o f e xi s t e nc e i n th i s c a s e i s
po s i t i v e
an o m a l o u s e v i l .
a c ce p ts ,
welcomes,
U n l i k e C o n ra d ' s
an d a p p r e c i a t e s
r e su l t
s u c cee d s
in
c re a t i n g
sea
ca p t a in
hi s d ou b l e ,
e x i s t e n ce i n t h e m i n d o f F a x o n ,
fe re d a
m e n t a l d i so rd e r .
of
t he
w ho
W ha r t on ' s
and a s
d o ub le ' s
w ho h a s p r e v io u s l y s uf ­
F in a l l y d r iv e n t o t e r r o r ,
r u s h e s f r o m t h e L a vi n g t o n e s t a te
f at e .
d ou bt s
De-
in t his
L a v i n g to n at t e m p t s t o i gn o r e h i s o u t o f e x i s t e n c e
a
one
as s ur a n c e t ha t
fu l l y a w a re o f t he e x is t e nc e o f h i s d o u b l e ,
an
a
F a x on
an d l e av e s R a in e r to h i s
O n l y l at e r d o e s h e r e a l i z e t h a t f o r s o m e m y s t e ­
r i o u s r ea s o n h e h a d be e n s e l e c t e d b y s o m e o u t s i d e f o rc e
to
s a ve R ai n e r ,
but he had f l ed
l e av in g h i s e s t a t e t o h i s
unc l e.
i n s t ea d a n d R ai n e r d i e d ,
In
this
un i q u e i n s t an c e o f d o u b 1 i n g , L a vi n g t o n ,
h i s ev i l d ou b l e ,
o n e p o s si b l y
w i t h t h e ai d o f
h a s t h w a r t e d t h e r e s c u e o f t h e na r r a-
1 83
to r ' s
R a i ne r ,
d o ub l e ,
L a v i n gt o n ' s
n e p h e w.
U n l i k e t h e o t h e r d o u b l e s m e n t i o n ed ,
R a i n e r an d F a xo n
a re l at e n t r a t h e r t ha n m a n i f e s t d o u b l e s ,
d ou b l e s
in
C o n ve r g e "
F l a n n e ry
"All
O ' C on no r' s
a n d V i r gi n i a
Woolf's
an d s o a r e th e
T hat
R is es
M r�� D�l l g � �� .
Must
O 'Con-
no r ' s p r o t ago n i s t i s kn o wn o n l y a s J u l i a n ' s m o t h e r- - o n e
o f G i l m an ' s p re p o s i t i o n a l
South
t hat
woman
is
ra pi d l y
wh i t e w o m a n i n a
p o s i t io n s - - a
c h angi n g.
Her
d o ub le ,
a
b l ac k
w e a r i ng a "h id e o u s h at " ( 1 6 ) i d e n t i c a l t o h e r s ,
res p on s i b le
fo r
an
e pi p h a n y
mo t he r t o d i e a l m o st i n s t a n t l y :
th a t
cau s es
is
J ul i a n ' s
s h e s u dd en l y re al i ze s
t h a t t h e w o r l d a s s h e h a s k n o w n i t i s go n e a n d t h a t t h e r e
i s n o l o n ge r a p l a c e i n i t fo r h e r .
h e r m e rc i l e s s
th ink
yo u a r e "
s on J u l i an
( 22 ) .
inf o r m s h e r ,
W o o l f ' s M r s.
t h e i n s an e S e p ti mu s W a r re n S m i t h .
S e p ti m us ' s w i fe t h at
she
S h e d i e s b e c a us e ,
must
as
" Y o u a r en ' t w h o y o u
Dal l o w ay ' s
d ou b l e
is
The do c to r has t o l d
mak e h i m " t ak e a n i nt e r e s t
i n t h i n g s o u t s i d e h i m s el f , " f o r t h e r e i s " n o t h i n g w h a t ­
ev e r s e ri o us l y t he m a t t e r w i t h h i m " e xc e p t t h a t
l i ttl e
ou t
of
s o r t s"
(31);
p l ai n s t o h e r m o t h e r t h a t
(33).
Dr.
W h e n M r s.
i n d eed ,
is "a
S e p ti mu s ' s w i fe ex­
h e " h a s b e e n wo r k i n g t o o h a r d "
Wa r r e n S m i th c o n s u l t s t h e
W i l l i a m B ra d s h a w ,
he
she i s tol d ,
184
ho w e v e r ,
spec ial is t ,
h ow v e ry i l l
h e r h u s b a n d r e a l ly i s ,
s im il a r
t o D r.
re s t
in
Wei r M i t c he l l 's
s.
bed ;
re st
in
s i x m o n t hs '
w e i g h in g
res t cur e :
sol i t ude ;
r e st w i t hou t f rien d s ,
s ages ;
t ak e i s v e r y
a n d t h e c u re h e m u s t
sil ence
w i t h o u t b o ok s ,
r est ;
seven s to n e s i x
unti l
a
an d
r e st ;
w i t ho u t m e s ­
m an
who
w ent
in
co m e s o u t w e i g hin g t w e l v e .
( 150 )
T he
do cto r
be a u t i fu l
or d e rs
house
W ar r en
in
t he
S m i th
to
c o un t r y "
"lie
( 146)
in
bed
an d
to
in
a
try
to
" t h i n k a s l i t t l e a b o u t y o ur s e l f a s p o s s i b l e " ( 1 4 9 ) ;
later
fo r
b oth
him "
d o c to r s
" s ai d
e x c i t e m en t
was
C l a r i s s a D a l l o w a y w it h
(21 2).
. w i t h p e o p l e s h e ha d n ev e r s p o k e n
a f f in i t y
his
w i th
l oathing
Bra d sh aw .
She
S e p t i m u s W a r re n
an d
d re a d
dislike s
W a r r en S m i t h d i s l i k e s h i m
C l a r i s sa
identifies
i m a gi n e s h i m
of
S m i th
t he
Dr.
and
in
the
to" ( 2 3 1 ) fee l s an
his
d e a th
S ir
and in
W i l l i am
j u st a s S e pt i m u s
fo r m uc h t h e s a m e r e a s o n s .
w i t h S ep ti m us W a r ren S m i th as
she
g o i ng to B r ad s h a w fo r t r e at m e n t :
A gr e a t d o c t o r ye t t o he r o b s c ur el y e v i l ,
sex or
t hi ng
h e r " a ff in i t i e s
p h y s i c i an
B r ad s h aw ,
w o r st
a nd
lust ,
e x t re m e l y p o l i t e
to w o m en,
w i t h o ut
b u t c a p ab l e
o f s o m e i n d e s c r i b a b l e o u t r a g e - - fo r c i n g y o u r s o u l ,
t h at w a s i t - - i f t h i s y o u n g m a n h a d g on e
1 85
to him ,
an d
S i r W i l l i a m had i m pr e s s ed hi m , l ik e t h a t , w i t h hi s
power,
m i g ht
i t now) ,
s he
not t he n
have
said
( i n d e e d s he f el t
t h e y m ak e 1 i f e
Li f e is m ad e in t o 1 e rab 1 e ;
i n t o l e r ab l e ,
As
he
m en l ik e t h a t ?
c ont e mp l a t es
t h e r wi t h h i m ,
d e a t h ca m e to
the
m an ' s
( 28 1 )
death,
she
i d e n t i f i es
fur­
f i r s t f e e l i n g e m p a t h y a s s h e i m a gi ne s h o w
h i m a n d bo w b e m e t i t
( 2 80 ) ,
t h e n t h i n k in g
t h a t s o m eh o w " i t w a s h e r d i s a s t e r - - h e r
disgrace" ( 282 ) .
But ,
sh e
now be
fr o m
f e a r a s s he i s n o t :
fe e1 s
hi m .
no pi ty fo r
She felt glad
aw ay.
•
•
He
•
h i m b e c au s e
"She felt so m eho w
that he bad done
it ;
ma de he r f e e l t h e bea u t y ;
is
free
v e ry l ik e
thrown it
mad e her
fe e l
the fu n" ( 2 8 3 - 2 8 4 ) .
W o o lf ' s
Dr.
B ra d sh aw
s ou n d s v e r y
m uch
like
G i l m an ' s
his
Dr . M i t c h e l l i n h i s p e r s o n a l c ha ra c t e r i s t i c s , a n d
a d m o ni ti o n s
M i t c he l l ' s
to r ' s
to
Sept imus
a d m on i t i o ns
e xp e r ien c e
w i th
to
Wa r r en
Gi lman
Sm ith
an d
to
are
si m i l ar
G i l m an ' s
to
n arra­
h e r h u s b an d Jo h n w ho w a s o bv i o u s l y
f o l l o w i n g M i t c he l l ' s c u re .
S i n c e V i r g i n i a W o o l f s uf f e r e d
s e v e ra l
an d
b r e ak d o w n s
herself
at
one
tim e
was
t r ea t ed
b y a p hy s i c i an w h o e m p l o ye d t h a t n o w i n f a m o u s c u re ,
like Gil m a n ,
she,
w r o t e a b o u t i t f ro m p e r s o n a l e x p e r i en c e .
T b e d o p p e 1 g a n g e r a s t h e m i r ro r i m a g e o f t h e o t h e r
1 86
s el f ,
f r e q u en t l y
can no t
ac cep t,
l i t e r a tu re t h e
c a nn o t
be
t he
is
e v i l s e l f o r t h at s e l f t hat
a
u s e f ul
d a rk g o t hi c
r es o l ve d
ca n
be
vehicle
side
p ro j e c t ed
d e pi c t i n g
fo r
o f l i fe .
on t o
soci ety
C o n fli c ts
som e
in
t ha t
o th e r
re a l
o r i m ag i ne d p e r s o n , an d s o m e t i m e s t h e p s y c h e i s a b l e t o
co m e
to
terms
with
this
oth e r
par t
of
it sel f
and
can
i n t e gr a t e t h e t w o a s i n C o n r ad ' s " T h e S e c r e t S ha r e r " o r
V i r gi n i a W o o l f ' s Mr�D�112 M�� ·
ho w ev e r ,
t h e p e r s o n i n v o l ve d e it h e r
o r a t t e m p t s t o de s t r o y
fo r m e r
and
f o r e xa m p l e .
i d en t i t y i n
e m b r a c e s t h e d ou b l e
t h e p ro c e s s l o s e s t h e
i n s a n i t y o r d e at h .
stories
G il m an ' s
a n d in
it
i l l u s t r a te
M o r e of t e n ,
the
Bot h
D o s t o ev s k y ' s
d e s t ru c t i ve
el e m en t s
o f t he d o ub l e a s t he i r p r o t a go n i s t s r e t re a t i n t o m a d n e s s .
S o m e t i m e s a d ou b le
is
de p i c t e d a s a v i c i o u s o t he r s e l f
w h o i s d a n g er o u s t o o t h e r p e o p l e , a s E d i t h W h a r t o n p o r ­
t ra y s
in
her
aptly
nam ed
I n a s t i l l d i f fe r e nt
n i t i on of
story,
" T h e T r i u m p h o f N i gh t . "
d e p i c t i o n o f t h i s o c c u r re n c e ,
h e r d ou b le
r e c o g­
a nd a l l that th e r ec o gni t ion i m ­
p l i e s r e s u l t s i n d e a t h f o r J u l i a n ' s m o t h e r i n F l a n n e ry
O ' C o n n o r ' s , " A l l T h a t R i s e s M u s t C o nv e r g e . "
t re a t m en t s
o f the
in
d o ub l e
t h e se
T h e v ar i o us
e x am p l e s
i ndi c at e
t h at g e n d e r i s n o t n e c e s s a r il y a n i n f l u e n c e i n t h e de p i c ­
t ion o f t he
d o p p e l ga n g e r
in
l i t e r at u re .
1 87
A p p a r e nt l y ,
t he
di f f e r e n ce s o c cur
f r o m a u t h o r t o a ut h o r r e g a r d l e s s o f
sex. I t is int e re sting, h ow e v e r ,
t i one d ,
that o f t h e w o r k s m e n ­
o n l y G i l m a n a n d O ' C o n n o r d e p i c t f e m al e d o u b l e s ,
a n d G i l m an ' s t re a t m e n t o f a m a n i f e s t d o u b l e
f e m al e .
This
o b se r v a t i on
i s d i s t i n ct l y
s u g ge s t s th a t th e s u b j e c t
f e m a l e do p p e l ga n ge r m a y b e
a
r e s e ar ch .
188
o f th e
p ro m i s i n g a r e a f o r f u r t h e r
CH A P T E R V I
" T H E Y E L L O W W ALL PA P E R " AN D T H E G O TH I C :
T H E D OU B L E AS
Fi ft e en
years
e xpe r i e n c e ,
a
face ,
gentleness
ebbs
wi th
a n d h e w a s a l wa y s a w a r e o f h i s o wn r e s p o n s i ­
b il i ty .
He ha d
c om e t o
h e r w as
had
form
L OV E R / DE S T R O Y ER
l e d t he
w ay :
t h e e x p e r i en c e
t he
e xpe rie n ce
s e l e ct e d
f o r m e d he r f a c e .
t h at
ha d
by himself.
He
- - - G r a h a m Gr e e n e
To a t t em p t t o a n a ly z e d o ub l i n g i n li t e ra t u r e , m a le
o r f e m al e
to
do ubl ing,
e nt e r a
Gu e r a r d h as
m i r ro r
i m age s or
reve r sa l s ,
J.
t h e t e r m " i s e m ba r ra s s i n gl y v agu e ,
as
u s e d i n l i t e r a r y c r i t i c i s m. "
a r e n a.
As
T h e d o ub l i ng i n
"T h e
W a l l p a p e r" c o n f o r m s t o G u e ra r d ' s de s cr i p t i o n .
t i o n t o t h e d o p pe l g an g e r m o t i f ,
the
s e arch
A r i s t op h a n e s
peo ple
an d ,
to
for
the
b el o v e d
e x p l ai n s
s e ek i ng
th e i r
co m pl i c a te
is
A l be rt
c o m p l e x p s y c ho l o gi cal
n o t ed ,
rol e
t he
Ye l l o w
In addi­
a no t h er t y p e o f d o ub l i n g ,
Ot he r ,
con cep t
is
as
a l so
two
p r e se n t .
i n com p l et e
c o m p l e m e n t i n P l a t o ' s S�� P Q �� y � ,
matters
fu r t h e r ,
O vid 's
s to r y
of
N a r c i s s u s a nd E c h o e x e m p l i f i e s th e t e n d e n c y o f s om e t o b e
1 89
t he i r o w n m i r r o r i m a ge s a s t h e i r O t h e r o r , a s
draw n to
the e pi gr a p h
to
th i s c h a p t e r
suggest s ,
f o r m t he m a t e i n t o a s ui t ab l e i m age .
m ar r i a g e o f t h e
am i n ed
in
att empt
an att empt
to
a n a l yz e
to
In t h i s ch a p t e r t h e
c o u p l e i n G i l m an ' s s t o r y
b e t w e e n t h e m ar r i e d
t i on s h ip
to
the fail ure
c o up l e i n
w i l l b e e x­
o f th e
rela­
" T he Y e l l o w W a l l ­
p ap e r" a s t h e p r o d u c t o f t w o i m m a t u r e p e o p l e w h o h a v e
n ot
succes sful l y
c om p l et e d
t he
ch o o s e
of
ado l e s c e n e e.
Unabl e
as
A r i s t op h an e s
s u gg e s t s ,
na r c i s si s t i c
pur p o s es
to
Oedipus
a
or
E l e c t ra
p ha s e
co m p l e m e n t a ry
mat e ,
the y c hoo s e
the ir
ma t e s f or
th a t de s t r o y th e m .
A r i s t op h a n e s d e f i n e s l o v e a s a j o i n i n g o f t w o ha l v e s
t o f o r m a w h o l e e nt i t y .
were
o r i g in a l l y
H e r e l a t e s t h e s t o r y t h at p e op l e
an d ro g y n o u s ,
p o ss e s s i n g
fo u r
arms,
f ou r
l e g s , t w o h e ad s , a n d s o fo r t h , u n ti l Z e u s i n a n g e r s p l i t
ea c h
p e r s o n in to
and w om a n.
two
s e p a ra t e
e n t it i e s
whi c h
b e c ame
B e c a u s e o f t h i s s p l i t t i n g a s u n de r ,
m an
e ach o f
t h e tw o h a l v e s s e e k s i t s O t h e r t o r e un i t e i n t o w h o le n e s s :
•
a n c ie nt is t h e d e si r e o f o n e an ot h e r w h i ch i s
i m p l an t e d
in
us ,
r e un i t i n g o ur
s e e k i n g t o m ak e o n e o f t w o ,
ma n.
Each
of
us
w hen
o r ig i n a l
a nd t o h ea 1 t he st at e o f
se parat e d
1 90
n at u re ,
having
o ne
s id e
on ly ,
m an,
l ik e a fl a t fi s h ,
i s b u t t h e t a l l y - h al f o f a
an d h e i s a l w ay s l o o k i n g f o r h i s o t he r ha l f.
( 1 27)
T h u s A r i s t o ph a n e s e x p l a i n s t h e p h e n o m e n o n o f l o v e b e ­
t w e e n m an
an d h i s o t h e r h a l f ,
an d ,
b et w e e n a wo m a n a n d h e r o t h e r h a l f
two
b y e xt ens i o n ,
l ov e
( o r l ov e b e t w e e n a n y
hum an s ) .
J u ng
clarifie s
p er son i s but
A r is t o p h a n e s '
concept
a h a l f b e i n g s e e k i n g t he
that
o t he r h a l f
each
with
h is th e o ry o f t h e m a l e a n i m a a nd t h e f e m a l e a ni m u s , t h e
p ro g r a m m e d
p r i m o rd i a l
d e ve l o p e d
ha v e
i mages
t h rough
of t he
e o ns
o pposite s ex
o f h i s t o r y a n d a re
w h ic h
s t o re d
in t h e c ol l e c tiv e un c o n s c i ou s ; on t h e co n s c i o u s l e v e l a
m an
and woman
for
t he i r s e x u a l a t t r a c t i o n
c on s i d e r
d o not
n e c e s s a r i l y u nd e r s t a n d t h e rea s o n s
to
e a c h o t he r .
a
w o m an
sou ls,
No
so m e
" ch e m i s t r y , " a c c o r d i n g t o J u ng , i s m e r e l y i n­
W h e n ev e r a m a n
s t i n c t g e n e r a t e d b y d i s t a n t an c e s t o r s .
a nd
W hat
can
rec eive
th e p r o j e c t i o n s
o f e a c h o t he r ' s
t h ey h a v e t h e c a p ac i t y t o b e c o m e " o ne " :
m an
is
s o e nt i re l y m a s cu l i n e
fe m i n i n e
in
m a scul i n e
m e n h a v e - - c a r e fu l l y g u a rd e d
v e ry
s o ft
him.
T he
e m o t i o n al
fact
l i fe ,
191
is,
t h at
h e has noth ing
rat he r ,
oft en
and
t h a t v e ry
hid den- - a
i n c o r re c t l y
de-
s c r i b ed a s " fe m i n i n e . "
r e p re s s h i s
fe m i n i n e
j u s t a s a w o m a n,
A m a n c o u n t s it a vi rt ue t o
t r ai ts a s
" m a nn i s h. "
be
as
r e ce n t l y ,
a t l e a s t u n t il
i t u n b e c o m i ng t o
much
T he
poss ib l e,
c o n si d e r e d
re p re s s i o n o f
f e m i n i n e t r a i t s an d i n c 1 i n a t i o n s n a t u r a 1 1 y c a u s e s
t he s e
contrasexual
u n c o n s c io u s .
d e m an d s
to
acc u mul ate
No l e s s na t u ra l l y ,
in
the
t h e i m a g e of w o m a n
( t h e s ou l - i m ag e ) b e c o me s a re c e p ta c l e f o r t h e d e ­
mands,
w h i ch i s w h y a
in h i s l o v e ch o i c e ,
m an ,
is
s t r o n g l y t e m p t e d t o w i n t h e w o m a n w h o b e s t c o r re ­
sp o n d s
to
his
own
u nc o n s c i ou s
fe m in i n i ty - - a
w o m an ,
i n s h o rt , w h o c a n u n h e s i t a t i n g l y r e ce i v e t h e p ro j e c ­
t i on of h i s sou l . ( 1 8 9 )
So m e t i m e s ,
ho w ev e r ,
p e o pl e
s e ek
their
i n s t e a d o f t h e i r o t he r h a l f a s t he i r
s u s,
t h e y l o n g to
in s te a d o f t he i r
a
beloved's
N a r c i s­
N a r c is s u s is a b e a u t i f u l y o u ng
n y m ph
who
l a ngui sh es
lo ve r s ,
in
di s c o v e r i n g J o v e ' s
o n l y r e p e at t h e
inc lud ing E c h o ,
h e r lov e
E c h o , w h o ha s l o s t he r s p ee c h b e c a u se s he
c an
L ike
i m a ge s
f a ce .
w h o h a s s p u r ne d a l l p o t e nt i a l
be aut iful
mate.
mi rro r
se e t he i r o w n r e fl e c t i o n i n t h e b el o ve d
A c co r di n g t o O v id ,
m an
own
fo r hi m .
k e p t J un o f r o m
s exu a l i n f i d e l i t y w i t h h e r c hat t e r ,
l a st
s y l l ab l e s
192
of
Narci s sus '
spee ch.
She
a bo d y ,
do e s h a ve
however ,
a r o un d Na r c i s s us ' n e c k o n l y to b e re j e c t e d .
nin g a w ay ,
her
E ch o ' s bo d y s h r iv e l s ,
vo i c e
re m ains.
he r ar m s
so she t hrow s
A ft e r run ­
an d af t e r s o m e t i m e o n l y
F inal ly,
one
s p ur ne d
l ov e r
e xa s p e ra t i o n p r a y s t h a t N a r c i s su s w i l l b e b r o u gh t t o
w ith
T h us ,
on
o ne
h i s r e fl e ct i on
f at a l
in
his
re l at e d
by
de ath.
f al l s
t h e w a t e r an d f r o m
A la ter
P a u san i a s
Nar c i s sus
da y
f o r t h a t w h i c h h e c a nn o t h a ve ,
caus es
lo v e
N e m e s i s h e a r s t h e p ra y e r a n d b r i n g s it t o
hims el f , a nd
pass.
in
that
in
l ove
d ay l o n g s
a l on g i n g w h i c h e v e n t u al l y
v a r i a t i on
of
Ovid' s
legend
VIII.9 .3 1 . 60 ,
(]�§..Q.rj.�!1.21L..Qf Jl.r..e �..Q�
q u o t e d b y R a n k i n I .b ..e_ .D..Q J!...Q.l � 6 8 ) r e v e a l s t h a t N a r c i s s u s
i s gr i e vi n g b e c a us e o f h i s t w in s i s t e r ' s d e a t h wh e n h e
sees
hi s
own
r e fl e c t i on
in the
r es e m b l a n c e t o h i s b e l o v e d
assuaged ,
instance
own
lov e
b ut
of
W hi l e
a l so .
s i st e r ,
sel f
how ev e r ,
Be c au se
of his
h i s g r i e f i s s o m e w ha t
leads
N ar c i s s u s '
p s y c h i c d u pl i ca t i o n ,
wat e r .
to
death
fo l l o w e r s
in
p u r s ue
thi s
t he i r
t h e A r i s t o ph an e a n h a l f ­
b ei n g s e e k s t h e O t h e r .
Love
u p on t h e
can
be
f u l f i l l in g
or
c ir c u m st a n c e s i nv o l ve d.
I.b�_ fs.ll_ ..Q! _ .t .b� _ H.Q.Y.§�_ ..Q!_ !.l.§.b�.r ,
fo r
t h e bel oved
O ther
leads
193
to
d e s t r u ct i ve ,
Somet i m e s ,
for
exa m p le ,
fi x a t i o n
on
de pe n d i n g
a s i n P oe ' s
t he
a
se arch
m i r ro r
i mage
of
the
Rode rick a nd
self,
in
M ad e l i n e
in
thi s
the i r
c a se
a
t w in
nar c i s si s t i c
longing for
t h e un at t a i n a bl e s e l f e v e n t u a l l y a n d p r e d i c t a b l y
e ach
s om ewhat
othe r ;
c re at e
his
t r i b ut e s
Ye l l o w
own
to
similarl y ,
d ouble
nar ci ss i s ti c
his
Wife's
attempts
in
to
con-
Gilm an's
"T he
W a l l p ap er . "
a pp e a r s
to
h ave
been
both
arrested
F re u d e x p l a i n s t h e O e d i p u s
at
up,
he
vi ews
mo t he r ' s a f f e c t i o n s .
h e r i n f an t il e s e x u al
his
J o hn a n d h i s w i fe
a
fa i r l y
comp lex,
f i r s t l ov e o b j e c t f o r b o t h s e x e s ,
g ro w s
d e s t roy
a p p a ren t l y
de s t r u c t i on
T he s e x u a l d e v e l o p m e n t o f
As
John's
s i s t e r.
father
the
e a r ly
a ge .
m othe r i s the
and as t h e li t t l e b o y
as
T h e l i t t l e g ir l ,
hi s
r i va l
ho w e v e r ,
for
his
t r a ns f e r s
w i s h e s f r o m h e r m o t h e r t o he r fa th e r
a n d v i e w s he r m o t he r a s he r r i v a l f o r h e r f a t h e r ' s a t t e n t io n s .
As
t h e c h i l d r e n m a t ur e ,
t h e se
n o r m al
d e s i re s a r e
re p re s s e d a n d t r a ns f e r r e d t o o t h e r m o r e a c c e p t a b l e o b ­
j e c t s d u r i n g a d o l e s c e nc e .
re c onciled
m o t he r ,
t he i r
not
be
and
wi th h i s
b oth
m u st
T h e m al e
f a t he r
and
ch i l d
the
fem a l e
r e p r e s s a n d u lt i m a t e l y
s e xu a l d e si r e s fo r t h e i r p a r e n t s .
s u c c e s sf ul l y
neurot ic
ac c o m p l i s h
( Mu l l a h y
m u s t be c o m e
t h is
23-50).
1 94
he r
r e l i n qui sh
Ch i l d r e n w h o d o
sep a r at i on
Whi l e
with
F re u d
gro w
an d
up
to
J u ng
mo re t h an t hey
di s ag re e d
e x t e n d e d s e ns e
us e d
st u d y i s h i s c o m m en t t ha t t h e
i n c e s tu ous
de s i r e i s
a chi l d a gain,
•
•
f o r t h e p u r p o s e s of
his
this
" f un d a m e n t a l b a s i s o f
t h e t h ou g h t
impuls e
or
o f b ec o m i ng
o r t u r n in g b a c k t o t h e p a r e n t s '
p ro t e c t i on
" { M u l l a h y 1 5 4 , p a r a p h r a s i n g J u n g .I .b �_.f.§.I..Q.b2 .1.2 S.L..Q.f
S ib l i ng s
tb�-�D..Q.QD�..Qj.Q�� 4 4 6 ) .
l y i n c l i n e d m a y c o n fu s e
af fe c t i o n s o n
w h o a r e n ar c i s s i s t i c a l ­
t h e t r a n s f er a n d m a y f i x t he i r
a b ro t he r o r a s i s t er ,
a n a t t ra c t i o n
i s e a s i l y c o n fo u n d e d as t h e n a r c is si st i c
t he s e a r c h fo r o ne ' s O t he r ,
self,
a n i m a an d
is
state
{ J un g �Qn�rl��tlgn�
b y F r e u d. "
E s p e c i a l l y s i g n i fi c an t
1 1 9 - 1 24 ) .
•
Jung does
t h a t " ch i l d r e n c a n h av e ' i n c e s t uo u s ' t e n d e n c i e s
belief
i n t he
ag re e d ,
t he
an i m u s.
p a re n t .
o c cu r re n c e
Even
O t to
the n,
R an k
or
o f " b ro t h e r - s i s t e r
the
out
i n c es t
love of one ' s
a b a l a n c i ng o f t he
howeve r,
p o in t s
t h at
that
is
a
real
o bj e ct
the
act ual
subs t it ute
fo r
c hi l d - p a r en t i n c e s t - - w h a t t h e b r o t he r s e ek s i n h i s s i s t e r
is
his
mother"
<��.§-�D�§.§�=�Q�jx_ln _]!..Qb� ��S-�D9 - ��� '
qu o t e d b y I r w i n 4 3 ) ,
a t he o ry w i t h wh i c h F r e ud con c u r s
{ M u l l a hy 2 7 ) .
l i t e r a t u r e c o n t a i n s m a n y e x a m p l e s o f ov e r t
We stern
an d
Fall
lat e nt
of
nar c i ss i s t i c
t he
H o u se
of
i nce st uous
U sh e r"
1 95
is
b ut
Poe' s
"T he
example.
T he
l ov e s .
on e
t ra ge d y o f t h e U s h e r f a m i l y i s th a t t h e " e n t i r e fa m i l y
lay
i n t he
d i re c t
i n t e r r e l a t i o n sh i p s
o f d e s ce n t . "
l i ne
the re
is
a
B e c a u s e o f f a mi l i a l
de fi c ie n c y
c o l l a t e r al
" of
i s s u e " ( P o e 1 1 5 ) . T h i s s i t u a t i o n b a s a p p a r e n t l y e xi s t e d
f o r ge ne ra t i o n s ,
st o r y o p e n s R o d e r i c k U s h e r
an d a s the
a n d h i s t w i n s i s t e r M a d e l i n e a r e t h e l a s t s u r v i vo r s o f
th e i r fa mi l y .
T h e Y b e a r a " s t r i k i n g si m i l i t u de " in a p­
p e a r an c e ,
" s ym p at h i e s
and
of
a
s c ar c e l y
i n t e l li g i b l e
n a t u r e b a d a l w a y s e xi s t e d b e t w e en th e m " ( 1 25 ) . T h e r e i s
no
ne e d
fo r R o d e ri c k t o
in t o h i s o wn
t io n s h a s
same
bas is
the
C r it i c s a r e i n
o f t he i r i l l n e ss e s i s
i nb r e e ding
c o m p oun d ed
by
Ro d e r i c k' s
po i n t
s ide
of
gui lt
i n t o t he
a l t e r e go ,
bro t he r' s
the
of
the ir
own
Madeline can b e
oppo sit e
si d e
of
his
Wil l i am B yss he S t ein
e m ot i o n a l o r
p e rs onality
in s t i n c t i v e
w h i c h h a s s t a gn a t e d
u n d e r t h e d o m i n a t i o n o f t he i n t e l l e c t. "
1 96
t ha t
w e ak n e s s c a u s e d b y
be c a u s e
t he
are
pu r p ose s o f
a gr e e m e n t
de s ir e s .
t ha t s h e sy m b o l i z e s " t h e
he r
female
fo r t he
a gen etic
p e r s on a l i t y o r h i s s e c on d s e l f .
w r it e s
and
g e ne ra l
i n ce st u o u s a n d n a r c i ss i s t i c
v i ew e d a s
male
W h e t h e r t h e i r in c es t u o u s de s i r e s
a c t iv e i s b es i d e
study.
t o fo r m M a d e l i n e ' s f a c e
f o r a m u l t it u d e o f p re c e d i n g ge ne r a ­
a l re a d y f o r m e d b o t h
l ike n e s s .
l at e n t o r
this
mol d ,
a t t e mp t
He further ob-
s e rv e s
"the
th at
o u t r a ge d
thor i ty ,
whi le
u n c o n s c i ou s
M a d e l i ne ,
i n t er p r e t at i o n ,
he
s w al l o w s
an d R o derick is
has
up
all
he r
" e s c a pe s h e r
Gi ve n
(97).
R o de r i c k h a s a t t e mp t ed
allow ed
o wn
au­
co mp l e t e l y i n s a ne , "
render ed
confin e m en t .
not
an d
c o ns c i o us
s y m bo l i z in g t he i n s t i n c t s ,
d e a t h- in- l if e
fo r
f e e l i n g s e v e n t u a l l y r ev o l t ,
re pre s sed
t o fo r m
unique
thi s
M a d e l i ne ,
qu a l i t i e s
to
flourish.
Poe' s
and G i l ma n 's
tale
At
r e spe c t s.
le ast
one
s t o ry p a ral l el
critic,
in
fa c t ,
in
seve ral
has
cal led
G i l m a n ' s s t o r y " T h e F a l l o f t h e H o u se o f U sh e r " t o l d f ro m
Mad e l i ne ' s po i n t o f v ie w ( S c ha r nho r s t 1 7 ) . J o h n a n d th e
na r ra t o r ' s
uni on
i s a l so
an
o f d o u b l i n g a l t h o u gh
e xa m p l e
i t i s n o t i m m e d i a t e l y re c o g n i z a b l e a s i n c e st u o u s . A l ­
t h o u gh
J o h n an d h i s w i f e a r e n o t b r o t h e r a n d s i s t e r a s
a re t he U s h e r s ,
t h e y i n e f fe c t w e r e a t t r a c t e d t o a s i b ­
l in g ' s l ike n e ss
w h i c h th e y s a w in e a ch o t h e r .
is
v e ry
w ife' s
of
h i gh
f at h e r
l ik e
t he
s tandi ng"
fi gure
r ea d i n g
of
"as
b rot he r ,
(Gilman
t o he r .
the
na r r at o r
husband
hi s
s to r y
would
father
As
10) ,
be
a n o t h e r p hy s i c i an
and
he
W i l l i a m Ve e d e r
in t e rp r et s
s ur r o ga t e s "
b e h av e s
"also
l ik e
a
i n h i s F r e u d ia n
i n t e r r e l at i onshi p s ,
the
at t ra c t e d
1 97
John
to
bo t h
e ve n
as
b ro t h e r
she
and
f el t
" ' h a t r e d ' f o r t h e i r o v e r b e a r i n g fo r c e " ( 9 5 4 ) .
A t el l in g
r e m a rk i s h e r d e sc r i p t i on o f t h e w a l l p a p e r w h i c h " i s to r n
off in spo t s,
a nd i t s t i c ke t h c l o s e r t h a n a b ro t h e r- - t h e y
w h o s he i m a gi n es
[ t he chi l dren
h av e
had
A no t he r
p e r s e v e ra n c e
ind icat ion
b r o t h e r an d h e r
a
t ha t
hu s b a n d
the
as
cu r e
if
h er
he al t h
as
(Gilm an
1 7).
p er ce ive s
her
h at red "
n ar r a t o r
a u t h o r i t y f i gu r e s l i e s
does
improve
not
is
j u s t l i k e J o h n an d m y b ro t h e r ,
a li z at i on o f
ve a l s
ma l e a ut ho ri t y o v e r h e r ,
h e r a v e r si o n t o
She
a n d s he
on l y mo re s o ! "
T hi s p a s sa g e r e ve a l s n o t onl y t he
(19).
in h e r
s o on.
I h ad a f r i e n d w h o w a s i n h i s h a n d s o n c e ,
say s h e
m u st
" B u t I d on ' t w an t t o go t he re a t
r e po rt s i n h e r d iary :
al l .
well
t h e r e o nc e ]
a b o u t t h e t h r e a t t o s en d h e r t o W e i r M i t c h e l l
at t it u d e
fo r
as
l iv e d
nar rator's re­
b ut it a l so re ­
t h a t a u t h o r i ty .
A k i n t o t h e b on d b et w e e n t he n a r r a to r a n d h e r b r o t h ­
e r i s t h e s t ro n g b o n d
n ie .
She
is
b e t w e e n J oh n a nd h is s i s te r J e n-
h o us e k e e p e r
at
this
re s p o n s i b le f o r preparing t h ei r
fo r
the
this
J o hn ' s
John,
f am i 1 y ' s
r e t ur n.
r e l a ti onship ,
vi e ws
' s he
j ust
thinks
he
as a
it
is
not i c e s
model
198
an d
wil l
be
r e d e co r a t e d t o w nho u se
Vee de r
As
the
e s t at e
that
wife
fu r t h e r
o b s e rv e s
J e n n ie
refle cts
w o ul d
w r i t in g'
have :
t h at
"Like
m ake s
th e
h eroine
fo c u s
' s i ck'
on
t he
A l t h o u gh
her ;
(8) ;
like
w a l lp a p e r
Jo hn,
( 1 3 )"
'Jen ni e
s he
unc o n sc i o u s l y
c o n d e s c en d i n gl y ,
She
p r o f e s s i o n"
ob s erve s ,
c anno t
she
1 7- 1 8) .
pe rha p s m ean s
en v i s i o n
J enni e
o b s e rv e s t h a t
( Gi l m an
b u t " h e r w o r d i n g a l l o w s fo r
as
b ut
"i s a
a n d h o p e s fo r n o
As
Veed e r
that J e nnie ' s
f u rt h e r
i m a gi n a t i o n
t h a t o f h o us e k e e p e r ,
t ha n
a b ett e r ro 1 e
J enn i e
ge ne r o u s l y ,
p e r fe c t a n d e n t h u s i a s t i c h o u s e k e e p e r ,
b et t e r
to
s h e al s o r e s e n t s
r e c o gn i z e s
J o h n' s n ar c i s s i s t i c o th e r s e l f .
pro b ab l y
co mes
( 55 ) .
th e n a r r a t o r l o v e s J en n i e ,
possi b l y
too'
[ an o t h e r ]
p o s si b i l i ty " :
[ P e r h a p s ] J e n n i e c a n i nd e e d 1 m � g!n� a b e t t e r p r o f e s ­
s i o n b u t h a s n o .h.Q.P� f o r i t .
D o e s J e n n i e h o pe
for
the
t he
sexua l
as
well
s i b i l i t i e s o f s u r r o ga t e
as
t ab o o ,
A l t h o u gh
•
.
res pon­
Su c h h o p e s
wife to Jo h n ?
a r e i n t e r d i c t e d b y t h e i nc e s t
are free.
d o m es t i c
•
b ut
i m a gi n i n gs
(56 )
some
cr i t i c s h a v e
a s su m e d
t hat
the
name
J a n e w h i c h t he n a r r a t o r s h r ie k s a t t he en d o f t he s t o r y
is
t he
t hey
oth e r
C hr i s t i an
na m e
f r e q u en t l y r e fe r
cr i ti c s
f eel
n ev e r m e n t i o n e d u n t i l
of
to
J e n ni e ,
hi s
Jo h n ' s
s i ste r
as
si s t e r,
( an d
J enni e/ J an e )
t h a t J a n e i s th e n a r r a t o r ' s n am e ,
she
sere ams,
199
"1've
go t
o u t a t 1 a st
i n s p i te
o f y ou
s h e onc e
wa s "
( 5 97) ;
s o c i et y "
(63) ;
J a n e i s t he n a r r at o r ,
E l a in e H e d ge s
J a n e m a y b e t h e n a r r a to r ' s
a nd
"self
a n d C a t h e r in e
Go l d e n
story ,
( 195).
w h er e sh e hin t s
that
u nt i l
"the
s p e c u l a te s t h a t
a s d e fi ne d
n a r r at o r e l e c t s t o r e m ai n n a m e l e s s
the
C o n r a d S h u m ach e r ,
( G il m a n 3 6 ) .
o bs e r v e s t h at
fo r e x a m p l e ,
w i fe
an d J a n e l "
by
m a r r ia ge
not e s that " th e
t he v e r y
end o f
h e r n a m e m a y b e J an e "
I f J o h n ' s w i f e i s n a m e d J a ne , t h e n t h e f a c t t h a t
h i s si s t e r
is na med J e n ni e
i s fu r t h e r i n d i c a t i o n t h a t
do u b l i n g i s i n t en d e d s i n c e t h e n a m e J e n n i e i s t h e d i m i n u ­
t i v e f o r m o f t h e na m e J a n e .
i s J a ne ,
e a si ly
Als o ,
t h e n h e r s ch i z o p h r e n i c c h a ra ct e r
a s c e rt a ined
as
sh e
abandon s
a s s u m e a n am e l e s s i d e nt i t y .
Ja n e
s i s t e r J e n n y w ho
s uf f e r s
t ed
her
is e ve n mo re
Ja n e
s el f
to
I n t h i s c ha p t e r t he n a m e
w i l l b e u se d t o r e f e r t o t h e n a r r a t o r .
T h e s i b l in g s i nv o l v e d ,
h is
i f t h e na r r a t o r ' s n a m e
runs
t h e n , a r e J o h n t h e h u s b an d ,
th e h o u s e ,
his w i f e Ja n e
p o s t p a rt u m d e p re s s i o n an d a s a r e s u l t
l i t t l e l a t i t u d e i n h e r r e gi m e n of
w ho
i s p e rm i t ­
r e s t i n g a n d e a t in g ,
an d J a ne ' s u n n a m e d b r o t h e r w h o i s a l s o a p h y s i c i a n l i k e
h e r h u s ba n d .
I n d e e d , t h e m a in p o i n t o f t h e st o r y i s t he
me nt a l c o nf l i c t wh i c h J o hn a n d J a ne e x p e r i e n c e a s e ac h
at t e m p t s
to
sh a p e
the
ot he r
200
i n t o a p r e d e t e r m in e d i m a g e .
Jan e ' s
m o l d i n g o f Jo h n
si m p l y o f
consi s t s
p a s s i ve
ac c e p­
t a n c e o f h i s a ut h o r i t y e v e n a s s he a c c e p t s h e r b r o t he r ' s
a u t h or i t y .
a c q u i e s ce nc e
Her
allows
Jo h n
a n d m o re d e m a n d i n g a n d d o m i n e e r i n g.
to
become
Thus, only t o thi s
ext e n t i s she i n s tr u m e n t a l i n s h a pi n g h i m .
ev e r ,
as
th is
John,
ho w ­
c o n s i st e nt l y b u l l i e s h i s
re ve a l s ,
st udy
more
w i f e a n d fo r b i d s h e r t h e f r e e d o m s h e n e ed s t o de v e l o p h e r
o wn
unique
qua liti e s
h ea l t h y b al a n c e to
P o e ' s M a d e l i ne ,
Bo t h
t ra v e r s e
t h e m a r r i age .
and
his
a p p a r ent l y
a do l e s c e n ce .
Ea ch
i n t h at
fu l f il l m e nt ;
the
t hat
sister for whom
f ro m
fr o m
n e i t h e r e xp r e s s e s
child
in
e a ch
of
the
affect i on
th e
m a r i t al
to a
hu s ba n d o r
Jan e,
and
their
O ed i p a l
s u f fe r s
c o n t ri b u t e d
a
like
h e r c o n fi ne m e n t .
w i fe's
the
a t t r a c t i o n fo r t h e p a r e n t
t r an s fe r r e d
h av e
As a res u l t ,
a ri s e
s u c c e s s fu l l y
d e v e l o p m e nt
w ou l d
s eeks e s cape from
John's
d i f fi cul t ie s
t hat
s exua l
f ai l u r e
phas e
in
ar re s t e d
th e i r
se x u a l
a n y o b vi o u s
of
them
o p posite
to
se xua l
has
sex and
fe lt
has
s u b st i t u t e b r o t h e r o r
w i f e p ro v e s i n
t ur n an
u n s at i s f a c to r y s u r r o ga t e .
T he
t e xt
impl ies
t hat
both
J oh n
d i f f i c u l t y a c c e p t i n g t he i r s e x u a l r o l e s .
s e ri ou s
an d Ja n e
h a ve
John i s quit e
i n h i s r o l e a s Ja n e ' s f a t h e r - b r o t h e r s u r r o ga t e
20 1
an d
gras p s
every
o p p o r t uni t y
re f l e c t i on
n a r ci s s is t i c
which
to
he
and
instinct ive ly
as
Jane
a c t ua l l y
a p p e a r s t o a c ce p t J o hn ' s a u t h o r i t y ,
n al ly
for m
she
but
sh e
res i st s
d e s i r e t o m o l d h e r t o h i s l ik i n g .
into
des ires ;
t he
J ane
r e b el s i n t e r­
h er
h u s b an d ' s
As B e r m an
o bs erve s ,
he r w ea k eg o b o un d a r i e s d o n o t p e r m i t h e r t o re s i s t t h e
n a r c i s s i s t i c t e n d e n cy o f h e r hu s b a n d a n d t o m a t u r e i n t o
a n a du l t :
Fr o m
the
p s yc h oa n a l y t i c
r e l at i o n s ,
from
th e
poi nt
of view
ob j e ct
of
t he n a r r a to r c a n n o t s e p a r a t e h e r i d e n t i ty
ba b y ' s :
Sh e
is
bo t h t h e
hys t e r ic a l
mo t h e r
s e a r c h i n g f o r f r e e d o m an d t he i n s a t i ab l e c h i l d d e ­
m an d i n g a t t e n t i o n .
seems
T h e a ng r y c hi l d w i t h i n t h e a d u lt
r es po n s i b l e f or
T h i s o b s e rv a t i o n
t he mot her ' s i l l n e s s .
(56)
c a l l s t o m i n d J u n g ' s hy p o t h e s i s c i t e d
e a r 1 i e r t h a t i n h i s v i e w i n c e s t u o u s d e s i r e s h av e t he i r
basis
in
the
o r d e r to be
The
ch i l d
adu lt ' s
d e s i r e t o b e c o m e a c h i l d a ga i n i n
o n c e m o r e un d e r t h e p r o t e c t i on o f t h e p a r e n t .
in
Jan e
w a nt s
her
fa t h e r ' s
a d u l t w an t s t o b e in d e p en d e n t .
d i c h o t o m y t h r o u g h ou t .
s t o ry ' s
s exu a l
m ov e m en t
w i th
J a ne ' s
her
202
t he
T h e t e x t i n d i c a te s t h i s
B e r ma n c o r r e c t l y o b s e rve s
suggests
re l a t i o n s h i p
p ro t e c t i o n ;
at t em p t s
h u s b a nd
w ho
to
that
the
avoi d
re peatedly
a
at-
t e m pt s t o c o e r c e he r i n t o con f o r m i n g t o h i s o w n i d e a of
co r r e c t f e m al e b eh av i o r :
T h e m o v e m e n t o f " T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r " i s s u g g e s t i ve
o f t h e w i fe ' s e f f o r t s
b eg i n n i n g w i t h
roo m
a b o r t i ve
down stai r s ,
w it h t h e
into
her
t o a v o i d s e xu a l d e f i l e m e nt ,
w i th
a t te m p t
to
sle ep
i t s s ing l e be d ,
an d
in
the
en d i n g
o u t r ag ed hu s b a n d ' s c r y fo r an a x to b r e ak
t he
ro om
w he r e
she
has
barricaded
h e rs e l f .
( 56 )
Yet,
t he r e
a r e a l s o in di c a t i o n s
se lf d es i res a
e xa m p l e ,
an d
s e xu a l
such
a
I
way !
do e s
Fo r
re l at i o nsh ip .
r e al
had me ant t o be
rest
an d
co m fo r t ,
co m pa rat i v e b u r d e n a l re a d y ! " ( 1 4 ) .
a l so
of he r o w n
J a n e l a m e n t s , " I t d o e s w e i gh o n m e s o n o t t o d o
my duty i n any
J o hn ,
p h ys ical
t h a t on e part
not
l ike
their
up st ai r s
such
a nd
a
here
help
I
to
am
a
S i gn i f i cant ly , J a n e
b e d ro o m ,
w hi ch
sh e
p e r h a p s i n t e r p r e t s a s a d e p r i v a t i o n o f t h e "l o w e r " i n st in c t s ;
w hi c h
o ne r e a s o n s h e
B e r m an r e fe r s
u g1 i n e s s o f t h e ro o m
wan t s
t he do w nst a i r s room to
i s i t s b e a ut y
s h e i s gi v e n :
in c on t ra s t to t he
" I w a n t ed o ne d ow n -
st a i r s t h at o p ene d o n t h e p i a z z a a n d h a d r o se s a l l ov e r
the
w i n do w ,
ha n g i n g s ! "
and
s uch
( Gi l m a n 1 2 ) .
pretty
ol d - fa sh i o n ed
P e rhaps
s he
203
a l so
ch i n t z
w a nt s t o l e a v e
t he
fo r a n a d ul t
n u r s e ry
not e s ,
b e d ro o m ;
h o w ev e r ,
as Berman
t h a t d o w n s t a i r s r o o m to wh i c h s h e r e f e r s h a s r o o m
o b v i o u s l y a s i n gl e o n e s i n c e t h e y a r e
fo r o n l y o n e b e d ,
sl e e p i n g i n o ne
bed in
the nurs ery ,
J o hn ' s o s t en -
an d
si b l e o b j e c t i o n t o t h e r oo m i s t h a t " t h e r e w a s o n l y o n e
windo w an d n o t room for t w o b e d s ,
him
if
he
m a r r i a ge ,
no
dou bt
t o ok
h o w e ve r ,
bi g,
At
( 1 2 ).
he r n e e d t o f l e e
this
the
in
J o hn ' s o p p r e s s i o n
J o hn
a iry room
h as
•
•
ch o s e n a n
up s ta i r s
w i t h w i n d o w s t h at
.
room
is
for h e r ,
look all
Th e w in d o w s have b a rs i n s t e ad of
( 1 2 ).
p oi n t
fo r
p a ra m o u nt .
I n s t e ad ,
"a
an o t h e r "
a n d n o ne a r r o o m
ro s e s ,
ways
t h o u gh ,
an d t h e h o r r i b l e ye l l o w w al l p a p e r a n d " r i n g s a n d t h in g s
in
the
walls"
( 12)
ins t ea d
of
She
c h in t z .
o bv iou s ly
re s e n t s J o h n ' s c h o i c e a n d , t h e r e f o r e , h i s a u t h o r i t a r i a n
a l l - kn ow i n g a t t i t u d e ,
an d do m in e e ri n g ,
buil d in g a s
she
an a l ys e s
i n a rt is t i c f l a ws
t he
wal lpa p e r
h e r r e s e n t m en t
w hi c h
i n t he m a l e c o n s t i t u t i o n :
I n e v e r sa w a w o r s e p a p e r i n m y l i fe .
s p r aw l i n g
t i st i c s in
symboli zes
f la m bo y a n t
.
s m ou l d e r in g,
.
•
•
p at t e r n s
T he
com m i t t ing
204
every
re p e l l a nt ,
colo r i s
un c l e an ye l l ow
O n e o f t h os e
•
•
( 13)
ara
T h e c o l o r y el l o w
t he w a l l p a p e r y e l l o w ,
"ye l l o w sm el l "
pe r m e at e s her
N o t o n l y is
b u t s h e a l s o c o m p l ai n s o f a s t r a n ge
w hic h " c r eep s a l l ov er the h o u s e" ( 2 8 ) ,
h a ir ,
an d e v e n i n va d e s
has al w ays
co l o r yel l o w
The
p e r vade s J a n e ' s w o r ld .
ne g a t i v e c o n n o t a t i o n s .
her
ca r r i e d
Constance A.
in R o s e t t i ' s Ib� -�1� �§�£-��m Q� �l .
s p a ce
at
bo t h p o si t ive
an d
P e d o t o o b s e rv e s t hat
"the mad onna i s a bl u e ­
e y e d b l on d e w i t h t re s s es f a l l i n g do w n he r b a c k ,
1 i ke
ni g h t .
' ye l l o w
r i p e co rn , ' " a n d p r o c e e d s t o draw t h e qu e s t i o na b 1 e
c o nc l u s i o n t h at t h e c o l o r i m p l i e s t h a t " t h e y o u n g v i r g i n
m a y b e q u i t e f e r t il e
and
wor ldly
ma t u re d"
m o r e l i k e l y t h at t h e m a d o nn a ' s y e l l o w
(4 ).
It
seems
h a i r s i g n i fi e s
her
p u r i ty s i n c e t h e b l o n d w o m a n i n l i t e ra t u r e i s u s u a l l y th e
s o c i a l l y a c c e p t ab l e " p u re " o n e a s o p p o se d t o t h e
w o ma n
who
a l it y.
u s ua 1 1 y
Ha wt h or n e
g�l � _.BQ m�.n.Q � ,
nette
opposites ,
Fo l l ow i n g
in
h er
a s d o es
c r eat e s
M elvil l e
m ak e s ev e r a l
n ega ti v e
u n a c ce p t a b l e ,
o b s e rv a t i o n s
s u ch
b l o n de
and bru­
i n £ � � rr � .
Pe d o t o
v a l u ab l e o b s e r v a t i o n s a b o u t
conno t a t io n s
i conog raphy ,
e a rt h y s e x u -
i n I b � - M � � bl � -f��n a n d In� � ll� D�=
fo r e xa m p l e ,
d o e s , h o we v e r ,
the
sy m bo l i z es
brun et t e
of
a bo ut
the
col or
yel low.
G e o r g e F e r gu s o n ' s
s tudy
< � i£D� - � .n �- � � m� 9 1 § _ ! � - � h r i � ! i � .n _ A � �
205
s he
1 53 ) ,
conc l udes
R e na i s s a n e e
d at i o n ,
p a i n t in g s
j e al o us y ,
that
to
this
suggest
t re a s o n ,
and
was
color
" in f e r n al
d ec e i t . "
used
l i gh t ,
J udas
in
de g ra ­
I s c ar io t ,
f o r e xa m p l e ,
i s of t e n s h o w n " in a r ob e o f di rty ye l l o w .
F u r t he r m o re ,
he r et i c s wo r e y e l l o w a n d ,
Age s,
c on t a m i na te d
p la gu e
c o n ta g i o n )
( Fe r g u s o n
153;
w ere
Pedoto
t a t i v e o f h e r et i c s ,
fam o u s
members
t ra i t o r
in
s o ci e ty
m a rk e d
4).
by
( an d
yel low
col o r y el l o w
T he
p l a gu e v i c t i m s ,
T h e re
( 28 ).
as
Mi d d l e
zo n e s
of
c r o s se s"
r e pr e s en ­
a n d p e r h a p s t he m o s t
i s ap pr o p ri at e
history
b a d ye l l o w t hi n g s "
" o l d f ou l ,
of
d u r i n g t he
fo r G i l m an' s
may ev en b e
an
in d i ca t i o n h e r e t h a t a t ra i to r i s a t w o rk i n h e r w o r l d.
I f so ,
t he
o b v i ou s t r a i t o r
may
be
not
on l y
John
but
s o c i e t y i t s e l f w h i c h b e t r a y s i t s f e m a l e m e m b e r s in i t s
t ra d i t i on a l d e n i al
C r itic s
h a ve
of
e q ua l i t y .
i n t e r p r e t ed
t h e " ye l l o w
s m el l " 1 in
G il ­
m a n ' s s t o r y i n v a r i o u s w a y s o t h e r t h a n t h o s e s u g ge s t e d
W i l l i a m Ve e d e r
ab o v e .
i n t e r p r e t s it
s a t u r at e d d i a p e r o f c h i l d h o o d " ( 4 8 ) ;
it
as
the
"s m e ll
of
decay"
a s " ur in e " a n d " t h e
Ma ry J a co b u s v i ews
( 242 ) ,
as
the
s m el l
of
f e ma l e g e n i t a l i a w h i c h i n a m u l t i t ud e o f m a l e c o n t e x t s
"b e c o me s
( 24 3 ) ,
i d e n t i fi e d
an d a s
with
" t he s m e l l
t he
of
sm e l l
of
se x u a l it y
m a l e h yst e r ia
206
i t s el f "
e m an a t i n g f ro m
fear of f e m i ni n it y a s t h e bod y of
he r h us b a n d - - t h at i s ,
t he mother
•
•
whi ch si m u lt a n e o u s l y t h r e a t e n s t h e b o y
.
w i th a r e t u r n t o t h e p o w e r l e s s n e s s o f i n f an c y a n d
a n x i e t y ab o u t
B e r m an
o bs e r ve s
t h at
t he
b u t e s t o t h e i n d e f in a b le
the
h o us e
Gilbert
{90 ).
and
(244) ;
J e ff r e y
" m y s t e r i ou s ne s s
contri­
she e m b o d i e s "
t h e ca s t ra t i on
sm el l ' s
w it h
s e x u a l m e na c e l u r k i n g t h r o u gh o ut
p e ne t r at i n g
the
wo m an ' s b o d y "
{56);
and
a n d G u b a r v i e w i t a s a " s u bt l e a r o m a o f d e c a y"
R a nk ' s d i s c u s s i o n o f d e a t h
Otto
an d n a rc i s s i s m
pr ov i d e s a c l u e t o t h e m e a n i n g o f t h e c o l o r a n d t h e s m e l l
a s t h e y re l a t e
a nd
t he
fear
to
of
d e c a y a lt h o u g h h e
de a th ,
w h i ch
a l l ud e s
al s o
only
s ug ge s t
to
aging
d ecay
a nd
s t a gn a t i o n :
O ne m o t i f w hi c h r ev e a l s a ce r t a in co n n e c t i on be t w e e n
t h e fe a r o f d e at h an d t h e n a r c i s s i s t i c a t t i t u d e i s
t h e w i sh t o r em a i n f o r e v e r y o un g .
t h is
wish
re p re s en t s t h e l i b i d i n o u s
i n di v i d u a l o n t o
eg o ;
an d
b ec o m i n g
on
a
t he
old,
a
d e f in i t e
other,
fear
O n t he on e h an d ,
f i x a t i on o f t h e
de v e l o p m e n t
it
ex p re ss e s
w hi c h
is
s t a ge
t he
rea l l y t he
o f t he
fe a r
of
f ear
of
de ath { 7 7 ) .
S in ce
J a n e 's
de s tr oy e d ,
p sychotic
m in d
may
r ea l iz e
s h e i s be in g
t h e i m a ge s s h e u s e s i n d e s c r i b i n g t he p a p e r
207
a n d t he s m e l l m a y re l at e t o d e c a y
a n d d e at h . T h i s n a r ­
c i s s i s t i c f e ar of d e s t r u c t ion f i n a l l y p r o p e ls h e r i n t o
act io n.
from
L at e i n t h e st o r y s h e b e gi n s t o s t ri p t he p a p e r
th e w a l l s i n e a r n e s t ,
wo m an i m p r i s o ne d t h e r e .
a n d e ve n t u a l l y s h e " f r e e s " t h e
S i n c e s h e c o m p l e t e l y i d e nt i f i es
w i t h t h e w o m a n a t t h a t p o i n t i n t h e s t o ry ,
s h e b e l i ev e s
s h e i s f r e e i n g h e rs e l f f ro m i m p en di n g d e s t r u c t i o n.
ye l l o w s m e l l d o e s s u g g e s t t h e d e c a y i n g
While the
s t at e o f t he n a r r ato r ' s m i n d ,
of
s e xu a li t y
just
s e e m s n a t u ra l
u p s t a i rs
roo m
i n s t i nc t s .
t h at
th at
as
it a l s o s ugge s t s t he fear
J a c o b u s an d Be r m a n i n d i c a t e .
t he
rat i o n al
sy mbo l iz e s
J a ne ' s a rt i s t i c
a
J o hn
le v e l
w ou l d
cho ose
abo v e t he
t emp e ram ent
It
an
" l o we r "
m i gh t
p r e fe r
r o m a n t i c r o s e s a n d ch i n t z , b u t t o J o h n t h e p r a c t i c a l i t y
of
air ,
m o re
s u n s h i ne ,
a n d b a r re d
attra c t i ve.
His
w i n d o w s i s p e r so na l ly
m u ch
ra ti ona l i t y a pp a r entl y d o es
re c o g n i z e t he h e a l i n g e f f e c t s o f b e a u t y ,
no t
a n d p er ha p s he
a l s o do e s n o t r e c o gn i z e t h e i m p l i c a t i on s o f h i s c h o i c e ,
fo r t h e u p st a i r s r o o m s ym b o l i z e s t h e b e a d , t h e r a t i o n a l
pa r t of
body ,
to
man,
m an ' s s e n s ua l
p e r s u a de
A un t
w h i l e t h e do w n s t a i r s r o o m
J o hn t o
J u l i a , " s he
facu l t y .
F u rt h e r m o r e ,
a l l o w h e r to v is i t
b eg i n s t o
c ry :
20 8
sy m bo l i z e s
as
J a ne
th e
tr i e s
" C o u s i n H e nr Y a n d
A n d de a r J o h n g a t h e r e d m e u p in h i s a r m s , a n d j u s t
c a r r i e d m e u p s t ai r s an d l a i d me o n
th e
be d ,
an d
�� .t b y m e a n d .r��_g t o m e t i l l i t t i r e d m y ..b� � g
[ i t a li c s m i n e ] ; ( 2 1 )
Ho w
d i ffe r e n t
m i gh t
the
ou t c o m e
h a ve
been if John had
m a n i f e s t e d a n a c t i v e l o v e i n s t e a d o f a p a ss i v e
a rous ed
had
en c ou r ag i n g
a
a
se xua l l y
l i s t l e s sl y
I t do e s n o t
f r i e nd
Fo r
as
do
w oul d
if
o f cour s e ,
cl e a re r
II.
b u t th e
w h e n P a n d a r us
54 9 ).
l ove' s
fo r l ove "
re a d e r
T he
a p p r oa c h e s
his
ni e c e
o n t h e mo r n i n g f ol l o w i n g a ni g h t of a t r e m e n d o u s
A ft e r s p e n d i n g
t h e n ig h t i n
th e
r o o m , w h e r e t he l o v e r s , T r o i l u s an d
" m i r ro r i m a g e "
ha l v e s ,
his
s e c o n d a ry m e a n i n g
s to r m a c c o m p an i e d b y a f l o o d i n g r a i n a n d
d e r.
to
u n d e r st a nd
h i s " h e d e s ak e
( .I!' .Q .! .l .Y �_ 2. ll .Q _ J;: r i §�.I.Q�
b e co m e s
C r i s ey d e
P an d a r us
a p p r e c i a t iv e l y
n ot e s t he p lu r al ,
on l y
of
one.
T ro i 1 u s 1 a m e n t s
Chau c e r ' s
Pan d ar u s t h a t
his
i n s t ea d
t a k e a Fr e u d i a n or a J u ngi an to r e c o g ­
e xa m p 1 e ,
t o r m en t s m o r e
"t ired"
h ead
is mo re than one kin d of t i re d or ach i n g
n i z e t hat t h e re
"he a d . "
vib r ant
if he
one ,
of
d eparted,
sa m e r o o m ,
Crise yd e,
e a c h o t h e r a n d f o r m ed
P an d a ru s o bs e r v e s
t h a t t he
d e a f e n i n g t h un ­
t o h i s n ie c e ,
h is
ow n
b e c am e a
a uni on of
thei r
w hen T ro i l u s h a s
s t o r m h a s ke p t h i m a w a k e al l n i g h t.
209
The
uncle
t h at
so m e
i m p l yi n g
of
i n s i d i o u sl y
headache
kin d.
T ro il u s
while
p o s si b l y
( I I I.
a ke"
" he d es
th a t
an d
in v i d i o u s l y
1 56 1 )
0 b v i o us 1 y ,
•
a n d C r is e y de
suffer
o s t en s i b l y
s u f fe r s
he
S h a k e s p e a r e d i p s in t o C h a u c e r ,
und e r st an d s
on l y
too
well
h e a da c he s w h e n P a n d a r u s
C h au c e r ' s
" Ho w n o w ,
23 ) .
O b v i o u sl y ,
v a ri o u s s p e c i e s
h o w n ow ,
b ot h
t he
w ha t h e
an d
o s t e ns i b l y
to
b e w i th
t e l l s h is w i fe
c e rt a i n
hours
an d
t he
wh ich
he
r e ad e r
double
st a n da r d
of
s to r y ,
J o hn,
w ho
m ake s t h e r e a d e r
Sin c e
wi l l
a ss um e s
i i.
r e c o gn i z e d
du ring
s p e nd s a w ay f r o m
p a t ie n t s.
s c h e d u l e t he i r i l l n e s s e s .
V i c t o r i an
us e
o u t t hi s qu e s ­
h i s l e s s r a t i on a l " h e a d "
ill
kin d
a no t he r
P an d a r us '
S ha k e s p e a re
i n ad va nc e t h at h e
ni gh t s,
f ro m
is
wh o w a s ce r t ai n 1 y n o v i r ­
I n G i l m an ' s
o f h e ad s .
m an y no c t u rn al
on e
h o w go ma ide n h e ad s ? " ( I V.
C ha u c e r
d o es w i th
he
a n d h i s P a n d a ru s
s e e m s t o p o ss e s s t h e m o s t ra t i on a l h e a d ,
wond er
from
c h ur l i s h l y b l u r t s
t i o n t o T r o i l u s an d C r i s e y d e ,
gi n :
la ments
he
hom e
a p p a r en t l y
n o t b e h o m e on
t h at
his
p a t i en t s
P e r hap s h e i s f o l l o w i ng t h e
a n d i s t ak i n g a n o t h e r wo m a n
in t o s o m e " l o w e r " r o o m s o m e w h e r e e l s e .
T h e re is
r eve r t s
al s o
s om e
t o m a s t u r b a t i on ,
indi c at i on
that
a n a c t iv i t y t h a t
t h a t s h e re c o gn i z e s h e r s e x u al
210
n e ed s .
the
n arra to r
w ou l d
i nd i c a t e
V e e d e r in t e r p r e t s
t he " l o n g ,
e v e n § ID.Q..Q .Q,!l"
s t ra i g h t ,
t h a t l o ok s
the w a l l
on
a s th o u g h " i t h a d b e e n r u b b e d o v e r an d o v e r " ( G i l m a n 1 5 )
a s a s u g g e s t i o n o f m a s t u r b a t i on :
T he
e ro t i c c o nn o t a t i o n o f " s m o o c h" an d t h e i n s i s t e n t
r u b b i n g s ug g e s t
a
r e c ou r s e t o
m as t ur b a t i on w h i c h i s
c o n s on a n t b o t h w it h t he h e r o i ne ' s r e g r e s s i v e
cies
and
w i th t h e
sel f
as
p ro j e c t i o n
on c e
h e ro i ne ' s i n n e r l i f e u p o n a
A lt h o u g h J a c o b u s no t e s
y et
not
t ak e n
in clinat ion
to
aut o­
N a r c i s s i s m d i r e c t s er o s ( s m o o c h ) b a c k t o
e roti c i s m .
the
hy s t e r i c ' s
tenden­
on
its
th a t in
a ga i n
c o nf i g u r e s
th e
( Veede r 6 1 )
wa l l.
1 8 9 0 t he w o r d " s m o o c h " h a d
c o nn o t at i o n ,
t w e nt i et h - c e nt u r y
she
d o e s i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e m a r k o n t h e w a l l s u g g e s t s " d i rt y
ru b b i n g "
which
dict
se xuality.
on
sta i n
of
" m ight
•
s m oo ch i ng
be
c o ul d
also
r e p r e s e n t at i on
[ as
•
woul d
e t i o l o gy o f h y s t e r i a . "
it
b ot h
w el l
as
fem a le
th at ]
the
con s t i t ut e .
I n a d di t i on,
re p re s ent
of
J oh n ' s m ed i c a l
D o c to r
di rty
se xu a l
s he co n cl u de s t h a t
V ic to r i an
s e xua l it y .
the
ve r -
re p r e s s i o n
•
o f " t he
"(242) .
I n t h i s s to r y J o h n f a i l s i n e v e ry i n s t a nc e t o a p p r e ­
c ia t e
or
to
v a l ue
t he i r m a r r i a g e ;
opting
ins t e ad
the
con t r i b ut i o n
of
his
Ot he r
to
ab o v e a l l h e i g n o re s he r s e xu a l ne e d s ,
to
treat
his
21 1
w i fe
l ik e
a
child
w hose
pe rsonal i ty
a nd
chara c t e r
are
st i l l
at t h e v e r y b e g i nn i n g o f t h e
e xa m p l e ,
"J o h n l a u g h s a t
m a rr i a g e "
me,
a nd
(9),
o f c o ur s e ,
w ay
E d it h
e x i st e nce :
paper"
( 1 4 ).
e vi l
" H e l a u gh s
Still
later
de n i e s
l i tt l e g i r l ? " ( 2 3 ) ,
her
b e d " t o f e e l a nd
"W hat
t hat same
J a n e at t e m p t s t o s p ea k s e r i o u s l y
a b o u t he r
w o rd s
th o s e
in d u l g e n t A g a m e m n o n o f a
tempts
h as
During
b ut
an
e vil
a s t at e m e n t w h i c h i m p l i e s t h a t
c on d i t i on ,
of
i l lne ss
J o h n aw a k e n s t o a s k ,
r e c o gn i z e h e r a s a n a d u l t .
conve r s atio n ,
his
so a bout t h i s w a l l ­
me
when
s e e i f t h e p a p e r ..Q .! .Q m o v e ; "
he d o e s no t
at
do u b l e
in muc h t he s a m e
in it
s h e a r i s e s fr o m
p ro gr e s s e d c o ns i d e r ab l y ,
is it ,
that in
w i t h h i s e vi l
L a v in g t o n
W h ar t o n ' s
double' s
expect s
l a t e r h i s s co f fi n g a t t h e w a l l p a p e r
d e n i e s t h e p o t en t i a l
t h at
For
s to r y J a ne r e c a l l s ,
b ut o n e
a l m o s t p ro v e s t h a t h e i d e n t i f i e s i t
when he
pl iable.
John's
and
act ions
fat her
r e se m b l e
as he
at­
t o al l a Y h e r a n xi e t y :
"Bl e s s
" s he
l et ' s
her
s ha l l
be
i m p r ov e
a n d t al k
L ik e
li t tle
a cknow l e dge
the
a b o ut
m a ny
his
as
it
hear t ! " s a id
s ic k
as
she
sh i n i n g h o ur s
i n t he
" fathers , "
" li t t l e
p le a s e s .
"B u t
by
to
m o rni n g ! "
J ohn
girl 's"
212
he w it h a b ig hug,
g o in g
now
sl eep ,
( 24 )
also
r e fuses
t o
just
as
se x u a l i ty ,
A g a m e m n on r e f u s e s t o a c k n o w l e d ge
It
E l e c t r a' s s e x u a l i ty .
i s a s t h o u gh J a n e h a s d o n e h e r d u t y i n p r o d u c i n g a n h e i r
fo r
her
h u s b an d ,
and
no w
s he
ha s
been
p l a ce d
on
t he
p ed e s t a l t o w hi ch m a n y V i c t o r i a n wo m en we r e r e l e ga t e d .
J e n n i e t a k e s c a re o f J o hn
M a r y t a k e s c a r e o f t h e b ab y ,
a n d t h e h ou se ,
J o h n t ak e s c a r e o f al l o f
l e f t fo r J a n e ?
s o w hat is
th e m ,
She i s not all o w e d to w r i t e , n o r i s she
i n v i t e d t o m e e t h e r h u s ba n d ' s s e x u a 1 n e e d s .
re c e i v e s s e v e r a l
e xagger ation.
h in t s t h at
Fo r example ,
v i o u s l y c i t e d i n st an c e
room
d o w n s ta i r s
is
of
thi s i n t e r p re t at ion i s
no
J o hn ' s r e s p on s e t o t h e p r e ­
J a ne ' s
cl e ar l y
The reade r
request
p a t r o ni z i n g
to
an d
move
to
a
i n d i c a t e s an
u n w i l l i n g n e s s t o t a k e h e r to a n y p l a c e o n a l o w e r l e v e l
th at
m i gh t s y m b o l i z e r e m ov i n g h e r fr o m
m o r e s e n s u o u s s p h e re :
" T h e n h e t o o k m e i n h i s a r m s an d
ca l l e d m e a b l e s s e d l i t tl e
down to t h e c el l a r ,
into
li t t l e
g ir l i n t o
go o s e ,
i f I w i s he d ,
t h e b a rg a i n" ( 1 5 ) .
h e r p e d e s t al t o a
a n d s a i d h e wo u l d go
a n d hav e
He w i l l no t ,
an y a re a s t h a t
m u st
it
w h i t e w a s he d
o f c o u r se ,
t ak e h i s
b e " w h i t e w a s he d "
to
m a k e t h e m r e s p e c t ab l e . T h i s d e si r e t o h av e t he " c e l l a r "
of t he "li t tle
go o s e " " w h i t ew as h e d " i f s h e w i s he d
ges ts a c o n f u s e d de s i r e o n t he
to
in dul ge
an d
to
d en y
pa rt
o f b o t h J o h n a n d J an e
s i mu l t a n e o u s l y
21 3
sug­
t he ir
Oe d i p al
i n c l in a t i o n s .
fill ed ,
is
resu l t
of
E l e c t ra ,
l e ft
w i th
s e xu al
t he re fo re ,
r e p r e ss e d
u nr ea l i z ab l e
d e priv at i o n,
se xu al
a
head
an d u n fu l ­
f e e l in g s.
c an
As a
a c he
or
be
"tired . "
In a s e n s e J o h n a l s o wa n t s h i s w i f e t o p l a y E c h o t o
h is
N a r c i s su s .
ru n s
f ro m
t e l ls
She ,
he r.
J a ne
t h at
L ike
s he
w a n t s t o l o v e hi m ,
l i ke E cho ,
a
father
m ust
us e
"pr o p e r sel f- con trol " ( 1 1 ) .
teac hing a
he r
"wil l"
b u t he
ch i l d ,
( 2 2)
John
to
k e ep
J a n e t ri e s to p u l l h e r s el f
i n t o l i n e w i t h J o hn ' s e x p e c t a t i o n s b Y a t t e m p t i n g t o a c ­
cept
his
o pi n i o n s
as
her
own :
"It
is
an
co m f o r t ab l e r o o m a s an y o n e n e e d w i s h , a n d ,
w o u l d n o t b e s o s i l l y a s t o m ak e h i m
fo r a w h i m "
( 1 5 }.
Jane ,
t he n ,
a i ry
and
o f course ,
I
unc o m fort able j us t
w o r ri e s
a b out
m aki ng h e r
h u s b a n d u n c o m f o r t a b l e w h e n s h e i s s u f f e r i n g a go n y u n t o
i nsan it y ,
an d s h e a c c u s e s h e rs e l f o f a c t i n g o u t o f c a ­
pr ic e.
L ik e
E c h o,
sh e
spee ch,
i n co r p o rat i ng
l o se s
"John
i n t o m a n y o f h e r s t a t e m e n t s.
t he
w a1 1pape r
re a l i t y ,
fo r c e s h e r
b u t J oh n m u st
to
h er
powe r
of
s a ys , n
an d
"J o h n
origi n a l
th ink s"
Th e c o n fu s in g d e s i g n o f
ab a n d o n
he r
p er cep t i ons
n o t b e m a d e u nc o m f o r t a b l e .
of
Still
la t e r when J an e w r i t e s t h a t J ohn "l ov e s m e v e ry d e a r l y ,
a n d h a t e s t o ha v e m e s i c k" ( 2 1 ) , t he r e a de r
214
senses that
she
is
tr y i n g t o
p e r s ua d e h e r s e l f t h a t
his
a f fe ct i on
c o n c e r n s a re t r ue ;
i f s h e b e l i e v e s h e l o v e s he r ,
feel
does
gui l t if she
t re a t m ent ,
not
co operat e
b u t i f sh e d o e s n o t
with
be li eve
w i l l f e e l j u s t i f i e d i n h e r a n g e r.
he
t h e s t o ry s h e in o n e r e s p e c t ,
like Echo,
e m b ra e e s t he
p h an t o m
w hen she
with
her .
cr e e p i n g
U n l i ke E cho ,
he r o w n w o rd s ,
however,
she will
hi m
in
l ove s
F in a l l y ,
an d
her
he r ,
a t th e en d o f
lose s her body
and
he r ne w
b ee o m e s
n o t a re p e t i t i on o f h e r h u s ba n d ' s .
t ry i n g to fu l f i l l hi s d u t y t o a si c k w i fe ,
ma n w h o i s
and
t he re is
n o d o u b t t h a t he l ove s J a n e i n a na r c i ss i s t i c w a y .
p o in t i s th a t a s a r e s u l t
Ja n e
to
com p l e t e
fu ll y
as a result
s u p e r io r i t y .
at t e m p t
her
o f s o ci e t a l c o n di t i o n i n g ,
t he
Oedipal
o f t hat
sa m e
s tage s
of
s o c i e t al
their
c on d i ­
As
to
she
r e f u s e s t o a c c ep t J o h n ' s i nn a t e
c o n t in u a l l y
real i ze
de ni e s h e r
J o hn ' s i m a ge
of h e r ,
re a l
t he
se l f
in
p a rt s of
pe r s o n a l i t y t h a t a r e rep r e s sed spl i t of f and p r o j e c t
t he ms e l v e s on t o t h e w o m a n i n t h e w al l p a p e r ,
fo r m
he
J a n e s t r i v e s t o a c c e p t h i s o p i n i o n s ov e r h e r o w n
a l t h o u g h a p a rt o f h e r
an
T he
a f at h e r l y r o l e t h a t d o e s n o t a l l o w h i m s e l f o r
d ev e l op m e nt ;
t i o ni n g ,
one
v o i c e p r o d uc e s
I n s o m e r e s p e c ts J oh n i s a c o n s c i e n t i o u s
a s su m e s
s he
of
m u l t i t u d in o u s do u b li n g ,
215
th en
f i r s t i n t he
in t o a s i n g l e " m i r-
ro r i m a g e " w i th w h o m s h e i d e n t i f i e s a n d e v e n t ua l l y m e r g es
at t h e c o s t o f h e r o w n s a n i t y .
cr i t i c s
So m e
vi ew
Jane 's
e s ca p e i n t o
in s a n i t y a s a
vi c t o r y o v e r t h e l i f e s h e i s c o m p e l l e d t o l i v e ,
they
would
c o n s i d e r d e a t h - i n - l i fe .
a l i fe
O t he r s v i ew
it
as
u l t i m at e d e fe a t o f he r d e s i re t o l i v e a l i f e a c c e p t ab l e
to
he r ,
in s an i ty w h i ch
an
o r l i f e - in - d e at h .
al s o de a d .
m a y b e v i e w e d a s d e a th - in - l i f e
E it h e r w a y ,
b ut
sh e i s a l i v e ,
she is
c e r t a i n t h e r e a r e n o c o m p l e xi t i e s i n
J oh n ,
l i f e t h a t h e c a n n o t d e a l w i t h i n a m o m e n t , a c k n o w l e d ge s
only the
bet w e e n
pe rce ive d
her
d i f f e r ent l y .
as
in
he r e d i t a ry
is
t o rn
he r
t h at
h e r o wn in st in c t s w h i ch i n f o r m
her
c u l t u r al
J o h n i s r i gh t a n d
just
su p e rfi c i a l i t i e s ,
Th is
P o e 's
c o n d i t i o n i n g t h at
b at t l e
story ,
e st ate , "
but Jane
(9)
a
t h a t h a s f o r m e d b o t h of
in
G i l m an ' s
a s su r e s
s to r y
t ak e s
w i t h i n " a n c e s t ra l
s ym bo l o f
place,
ha l ls , "
p a t r i ar c h a l
"a
soc iety
th e m .
B y d e ny i n g J a n e p e r m i s s i o n t o w r i t e an d by c o n s t a n t ly a d mo n i sh i n g he r f o r
u s i n g h e r i m a gin at i v e po w e r s ,
John
di c t u m
quietly
a s s e rts
a
w hi c h
ri g h t t o e x e r c i s e h e r c r e a t i v e p o w e r s ,
w h en
he
o s t e ns i b l y d e n i e s h e r h i s
e n d o f G i l m an ' s
s t o ry ,
John
21 6
sexual
denies
her the
j u st a s he do es
fa vo r s .
e xp e r i en ce s
By t he
t h e re a l i -
z at i o n t h at
fo r
t he
s ur v i va l ;
wi fe
r a t i on a l
turn
on
unco n s ci o u s .
al o n e
t h e i g n o r e d n o n - r a t i on a l
rep res en t s i n h i s
will
f a c u lt y
him
li f e ,
with
an d
s uf f i c i en t
f a c u l t i e s t ha t h is
h i s al ter
fu r y
L i k e M a d e l i ne
i s n ot
ego o r t h e
rende r
w h o b u r st s
him
f ro m
an i ma ,
l it e ra l l y
c r yp t
her
to
G i l m a n ' s na r ra t o r e s ca p e s
throw he rsel f u p o n R ode ric k ,
fr o m t h e w al l p a p e r t o c r e e p o v e r J o hn ' s p r o s t r a t e f o r m
r e pe a t ed l y .
wife,
John has formed
a w o m an w h o ,
I n h e r in s an i t y s he
b u s o b se rve s ,
a gr o t e s qu e f a c e
i s d es t ro y e d.
l i k e Na r c i s s us ' s E c h o ,
m ir ror s his
fo r h i s
hys teria whic h ,
a s Jaco­
i s b as e d o n h is fear o f t h e fem i n i ne , h i s
ani ma .
In t h e i r s e a r c h fo r a be l o ve d O t h e r ,
J a n e w e r e at t r a c t e d t o at t r i b ut e s
a s i b l in g o f th e o p p o s i t e
t ute
fo r t h e
p a r ent .
b oth John and
w h i c h r e m i nd e d t h e m o f
sex who, i n turn,
D ur ing t he
w a s a subs t i­
m arr i a g e ,
J o h n a t t em p t s
t o f o r m h i s w i f e i n t o h i s i m a ge o f p e r f e c t i o n , a f e m a l e
v er sion o f h i mself.
cr e t e
her
fac t s ,
h is
i m a g in a t i o n
res i s ts
John
B e l i e v i n g i n a l o g i c ba s e d o n co n ­
s cor n
o f h is
caus e s
her
half-heartedl y
w i fe ' s
to
but
in t u i t i ve
m i st rust
fin d s
l o gi c a n d
h e rs e l f .
s om e
She
sa t i s fa c t i o n
i n re v e r t i n g t o t he r o l e o f t h e l i t t l e gi r l p l a ye d t o h i s
r ol e
of
fath e r.
F in al l y ,
h o we v e r ,
2 17
the
adult
with in he r
r i s e s an d d e m a n d s a n a c c o u n t i n g .
a n a l y s i s o f J a ne ' s
f e el i n g s
(t h e
T h i s f a i r l y t h o r o u gh
n a r rato r ' s t ho u g h t s )
Jo h n ' s r e s p on s e s s u g g es t s t h a t J o h n a n d J an e ,
i n t he
s i m p l i s t i c s e n s e t h a t t he i r c o m m o n n a m e s s u g g e s t ,
s t i l l s o c i al l y in
c a p ab l e o f
an d
same
a re
t h e i r ad o le s c ence , t h a t t h e y a r e i n­
r e a l i z i n g a m at u re s e xu a l
21 8
r e l at i o n sh i p .
C O N CL U S I O N
Ah,
b ut a m an ' s re a c h s h o ul d e x c e e d h i s g r a s p ,
O r w ha t ' s a h e a v e n f o r ?
P la ci d
All
is
s i l v e r - gr ay
an d p e r fe c t w i t h my a r t :
t h e wo rs e !
I k n o w b o t h w h a t I wa n t a n d w h at m i gh t
A nd y e t h o w p ro fi t l e s s t o k no w ,
" H a d I b e e n two ,
ga i n ,
t o s i gh
a n o t h e r a n d m y s el f ,
O u r h e a d w o u l d h av e o ' e r l o o k e d t he w o r l d ! " N o d o u b t .
- - - R o b er t B r o wn i n g
G i l m an
re a c h e d
w i t h in
he r
o w n g ot h i c
w o rl d
fo r t he
i n s p i r a t i o n o f " T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a pe r , " a nd i n d o i n g s o ,
s h e c re a t e d a go t hi c h e r o ine to w h o m w om e n o f h e r o w n a n d
s uc ce eding
st u d y
gene ra t i on s
c o ul d
rel a t e .
e x am i n e s t h e e l e m e nt s i n G i l m an ' s
h er t o cre a t e t hi s stor y ,
A l t ho u g h
l i fe
t h at
t hi s
h e lp ed
u n 1 ik e m a n y o t h e r s t u d i e s , i t
tr e a t s " T he Y e l l o w W al l p ap e r " as a wo r k o f a rt a p a r t fro m
i t s au t h o r a s m u ch
a s p o s si bl e .
He r aim w as t o h o ld a
m i r r o r u p t o w o m a n ' s t r u e n a t u r e a s s h e p e r c e iv e d i t t o
be
in
order
t ra d i t i on a l
to
con t ra s t
1 imi ted
that
p r o p ri e t a r y
r e f l e c t i o n a ga i n s t m a n ' s
vi e w
of
he r .
E m p l oy ing
t he g o t h i c g e n re t o e x p r e s s h e r o ut r a g e a n d h o r r o r a t th e
c ri p p l i n g e f f e c t s o f t hi s
t re a t m ent ,
219
s he
s k i l l fu l ly
m a-
n i p ul a t e s
to
t he
n a r r a t iv e
v oi c e
Jo h n ' s - - a n d
de m o n s t ra t e
p a t r i ar c h y ' s
u nder
of
the
Ye l l o w
W a l l pa p e r"
p at r i ar c h y ' s - - cr e a ­
an e xa m p l e o f t h e e n or m i t y
a g a in s t i t s f e m al e
sin
man ' s p e r c e p t i on
"The
t h e re f o r e
t i o n o f a g r o t e s q ue m o n s t e r ,
of
in
d e fo rm e d
m em b e r s and
s t at e
of
G il ­
wo m anh o o d
p a t ri a r c h y .
While
Jo h n t e r m s h e r i l l n e s s ,
i de nt i t y
hys te r i c a l te nde n c y , " a s
s u f f e r i n g h e r " s l i gh t
crisis.
Gi l m an ' s
n a r ra t o r e xp e r i e n c e s a n
C o n d i t i o n ed
by
he r
s u b m i s s iv e t o h e r h u s b an d a n d o t h e r m a l e
cult ure
to
be
m e m be rs o f h e r
famil y ,
s h e a c q u i e s c e s t o h i s j u d gm e n t s a n d p r o c l a m at i o n s
on
l eve l,
o ne
but
at
a
dee p er
level,
she
rebel s.
Fo r b i d de n t o w ri te and p e r h a p s thu s t o de f i n e h er s e l f ,
s h e l i e s f o r ho u r s
of
her
at t e m p t i n g
w a l l p a pe r and f in a l l y
to
i n te r p r e t
rea l i ze s
t ha t
t he
p a tt e rn
the
p a t t e rn
fo rm s b a rs t h a t i m p r i s on t h e w o m en s h e s e e s i n s i d e t h e
p ap e r .
U l t i m ate ly ,
wo m en.
Th us ,
this
st u dy
d e fi ne
as
her a s
i d e n t i fi e s
a
me t aph o r
fo r
on e
John ' s p r i s o ner .
p a t ri ar c h a l
T he
paper ' s
of
t he se
up o n e a c h o t h e r
th at
l e n gt h w i s e ,
220
its
l o gi c ,
p at t e r n ,
a p p e a r s o n t h e s ur f a c e t o
a c los e r i ns p e c t io n r evea l s
p r o p pe d
wit h
s h e a l l o w s t h e w a l l p a p e r , i n t e r p r e t e d in
p a t r i ar c h a l l o gi c ,
b ut
she
to
li k e
b e rat i o n a l ,
p re m i s e s
cro s s w i s e ,
a re
a n d di ag-
o n al l y .
If
s t r u c tu re
one
we re
ap p a r e n tl y
moved,
ent i re
w o u l d c o l l a p s e li k e a h o us e o f c a r d s .
Una b l e
sit uation,
to
ext r i c at e
t he
nar rat o r
h e r s el f
ph y s i ca l l y
" frees"
herself
m e r g i n g w i t h h e r d o p p e l ga n ge r .
Th i s
uniqu e.
and
the
doub l e
in
her
m entally
by
e x a m i n ed
fo u n d i t t o b e
Alt ho ugh sh e f u l fi l l s m u c h of O t t o
r ega rd i n g
f rom
study has
Gi l m a n ' s p o r t ra y a l o f t h e d o pp e l gan g e r
teria
the
l it e rature ,
Ra n k ' s c r i ­
a
study
of
o t he r d o u b l e s r e v e a l s t ha t G i l m a n' s po r t r ay a l i s u n l ike
a n y o f t he o t h e r a ut h o r s '
w o rk s e x a m i ne d ,
P e rh a ps a n aut ho r ' s gend e r i s not a
in
t he
fa c t ,
t r e a t m ent
it
is
not
d e v i ce .
It
m ay
au t h o r ' s
l i fe
of
a
m a l e o r fe m a l e .
d et e rm i n i n g fac to r
thi s l i t e rar y d ev ic e ;
factor
w ell
be
in
th e
p ro v e n
experi ences
use
in
of
the
p erhap s ,
a ny
l i t e ra r y
fut u re
d et e r m i n e h i s / he r
in
that
an
t re a t m e n t
of
l i t e r at u r e , t h at to r e a d a s t o r y and i m m e d i a t e l y d e t e r ­
m i n e that i t i s w ri t te n b y a
wom an i s
w rit ing
a b ou t
wo m an s i m p l y m e a n s t h a t th e
w hat
s h e k n o w s a n d t h at
soc i et y
e x p e c t s h e r t o w r i t e f r o m i t s p r e c o n ce i v e d i d e a o f w h at
w om an ' s v a nt a ge p o i n t i s .
the
d o p p el ga n g e r
p r o fi t f r o m
This
in
a
Fe m a l e a u t h o r s ' d e p i c t i o n o f
l i t erat u r e
is
an
area
t ha t
w o ul d
m o r e e xh a u s t i v e r e s e a r c h .
s t ud y a l s o
e xa m i n e s
22 1
the
s exua l
r e l at i on sh i p
t hat
exists
t h at
t he y
b et w e e n J o h n a n d t h e
s uf f e r
fr o m
narra t o r
and
a r re s t e d d e v e l o p m e n t
de t e r mi n e s
in t h i s area,
a di s c o v e r y t ha t i s n o t t o o s ur p ri s i n g s i n c e t h e p a t r i ar ­
c h a l s y s t e m e n c o u r a g e d w o m e n t o b e c h i l d - w o m e n t o a l a r ge
d e gr e e .
ful
G i l m a n h yp o th e si z e d t h a t t h e sy s t e m w a s a s ha r m ­
to t he
f u l l d e ve l o p m e n t
o f t he mal e a s i t w a s to t he
f e m a l e , a n d h e r h y p o t h e s i s pr ov e s t r u e i n t h i s s t o ry i n
t he m a r r i a g e b e d
as w e l l a s i n o t h e r a r e a s .
l ov e s h i s d a u gh t e r
fat h er
b r o t h er ;
o r i f a b r o t h e r love s a s i s t e r rom an­
it i s conside r ed i nc e st.
t i c al l y ,
to
his
in
w ife ,
a d di t i on ,
and
this
h is
wife
i n thi s
s t o ry .
Jo h n' s s i s t e r ,
Thus,
J o h n b eh av e s l i k e a
like ns
him
to
st ud y ha s e x p l o re d t h e
b i l i ty that t he nar rato r ' s name
n a me for J e nn i e ,
I f a fath e r
is Jane ,
her
po ssi­
t he C hrist ian
wh o p l a y s a w i f e l y r o l e
th ere i s a
possibl i t y that
ano t h e r
t y p e of d ou bl i n g is a t wo rk h e r e on a s ub l i m i n a l l e v e l
b e t w e e n J o h n a n d h i s s i s t e r J e n n i e an d
he r
b r o t he r
Forc ed
to
ind e pe nd e n t l y
a re
an d
t he p hy s i c i an .
m a k e a d e c i s i o n a b o ut h e r i d e n t i t y ,
n a r ra to r c h o o s e s t o b e s o m e o n e
an d t he
t h e n a r r at o r
a s Ja n e ,
si st e r of
he r
t o o c o n t ro l l i n g.
else.
the
S h e c anno t funct i on
t h e w i f e of Jo h n t h e ph y s i c i an
b r o t h er ,
anot h e r
p h ysi c ia n .
T he y
He r s o l u t i o n i s t o f r e e h e r d o p p l e -
2 22
gang e r fr om w i t h in th e wa l l p a p e r and t o m e r g e w i t h h e r .
A ft e r i t s p ub l ic a t i o n ,
ov e r
h al f
a
c e n t ur y ,
f or go t t e n .
inf l u e n ce
Since
this
as
its
Gil m an
r e d i s co v e ry ,
with
every
r eaders
h ersel f
resur rect i on ,
on and i mpo rtance to
accel erat ed
s t o ry w a s f o r g o t t e n
l argely
how ever ,
the femini st
d e ca de .
fo c u s e d on
wa s
At
fo r
it s
c a non h a s
fi r st
th e f e m a l e ne s s
upon
of
t he
w r it i n g ra t he r t h an on t h e d o c u m e nt a s a l i t e r a r y m o nu­
m e nt .
C r i t i c s h a v e u s e d i t s t e x t as a m e a n s o f e x p l o r i n g
w o m e n ' s w r i t i n g- - b o t h i t s s ub j e c t m a t t e r a n d i t s t e c h ­
ni q u e s - - a n d i n t h e p r o c e s s e x p l o r i n g a n d a t t e m p t i n g t o
und e r s t a nd
f e m al e
h i s t o r i c a l ro l e
p l ay e d i n
in this
p r o c e ss e s ,
as
well
s o c i e t y a n d th e e f f e c t s
he r grow t h
a n no t at e d
i n t e r pr e t a t i o n s
de c a d e s .
in
lim iting
e xh a u s t i v e
in c l ud e d
t h ought
as
a
as
w o m an ' s
th at ro l e h a s
human
be i ng.
The
bi b l i o g r a ph y o f G i l m a n c r i t i c i s m
st ud y
i l l u s t r a t e s t he
gi v e n
thi s
st o ry
over
w id e
the
s p e c t ru m
pa st
of
thr ee
P r e s e n t e d i n c h r o n o l o g i c a l o r d er , i t p r o v i d e s
a n h i s t o r i c a l v i e w o f t h e ev o l u t i on o f
l i terary c riti­
c i s m i t s e l f s i n c e a l m o s t e a c h i n t e rp r e t i v e s c h o o l t h a t
h a s e m e rg e d o n th e s c e n e
of this
i s re p re s e n t e d i n t h e
cr i t i ci s m
s to r y .
Al l of
the
i n t e r p r e t a t i v e di r e c t i o n s h a ve
223
p r ov e d
h e l p fu l i n p l a c i n g t h i s s t o r y o f i n c i p i e n t f e m a l e m a d n e s s
i n i ts p ro p e r pe r s pe c t i ve .
ana lys i s
of
f e m a l e au t h o r s '
r e s ul t s f r o m
an e x c e s s o f
o r ac t ua l d e p ri v a t i o n
au t ho r s
h ave
cr it i ci sm
ne e d f o r
s l a nt
I t i s a l m o s t c o n c l u s iv e a s an
of
sup posed.
w r i t in g s th at
d o m e s t ic i t y ,
dom e stic
As
a
fe l i c i t y ,
matter
because
m adn e s s
no t f r o m a t hr e at
of
o f t hi s l i t e r a r y m a s t e r p i e c e
r e j e cti ng
f e m al e
as
mo st
f a ct ,
ma l e
p r es en t
indicates
the
t h e a p p l ic a t i on o f a s i n gl e c r i t i c a l
ea c h c r i t i c al s c h o o l u n c ov e r s
new
m e a n i n gs
w i t h i n t h e l a ye r s o f t h i s s to r y o f ma l e d o m i n a t i o n a n d o f
d ou b l i n g a s a f o r m o f avo i da n ce o f
o r e s ca p e f r o m t h e
p r o b l e m s c re a t e d b y d o m e st i c a n d c u l t u ra l
man's
wo rl d .
r ea d e r s
These
who
may
si n g l e
g r o up
c re ate
an
of
i n t e rp r et a t i on s
e xp e c t
a ny
cr i ti c a l
e p i p h a ny .
s i n gl e
e ssay s
T he
e xa m in a t i o n of a ll p u b l i s h ed v ie w s ,
c h r o n o l o g ic a l o r d er ,
di s a p p o i n t
o bs e rv a t io n ,
fo r
value
p ra c t i c e s i n a
t hat
l ie s
in
those
or
a
matter ,
to
a
h o l i st i c
p r e fe r a b l y r e a d i n
w h ic h w i l l p r o vi d e t h e s ea r c h i n g an d
p a t i e n t r e a d e r w it h an u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e i m p o r ta n c e o f
t h i s s t o r y a s a s o c ia l d o c u m e n t a n d , e q u a l l y
tant ,
a s a l i t e ra ry
"The Yel low
d o c u m e nt ,
it
m as t e rp i e c e .
W a l l p a p e r " i s n o t e xc l u s iv e ly
i s no t
as i m po r ­
a c u l t u ra l
s ol e l y a f e m i n i s t o r w o m a n ' s
2 24
t e xt ,
it
i s n o t e n t i r e l y go t h i c ,
toward
mal e
o r misandris t i c ,
p h ys ic ia n s
t re a t i n g
f e m al e
o r a n t ago n i s t
hy s t e r ia ,
and
a b ov e a l l , i t d o e s not o f f e r t h e m o s t de s i r a b l e m e an s fo r
pers e c u t e d,
t heir
on
do min ate d ,
p r ob l e m s.
an d
should
W a l l p ap e r "
m e nt ,
was
not
and
fu t ur e
I n s tea d ,
d ev e l o p
ba s ed
up o n
su b j u g a t e d
fe ma l e s
criticism
in t er p re t at i o n s
it s exi st e n ce a s a
o b v i at i n g t he f a ct ,
o f c o ur s e ,
a fe m a l e i n a m a l e - do m i n a t e d w o r l d ,
to
escape
s ho u l d
of
" T he
l i t e ra r y
t h at
fo c u s
Ye l l o w
m o n u­
t he author
a W e s t ern and
E u r o p e an c ul t u r e do m i n a t e d b y c l a s s , g e n d e r , a n d et hn i c
v al u e s .
Cha r l o t t e P e r k i n s G il m a n ,
S a r t o w h o s e w or d s f o r m
th e
s tud y ,
may b e
re a c h e x c e e d e d
woman's
some
w ay
cor rect
m i ss i ng.
he r g r a s p ,
p ro j e c t
a nd
a ll
t hat
quite
a
h er
" F a u l t l e s s P a in t e r . "
eye
her
goa l ,
he r
mu c h
o c c a s i o na l l y
t he re a r e
as
to
flashes
y et
s om e t h i n g
is
h e r
t ruths,
b r i l l ance t hat
h e i g h t s s h e m i g h t h av e r e a c h e d a s a n a r t i s t
h a d al l o w e d he r i m a g i n a t i o n f u l l p l ay .
225
o ft e n
s h e d i d n o t wr i t e t o
teach
of
wr i t ing s i n
f ic t i on i s m e c h ani c a l l y
A s s h e he r s e l f a d m i t t e d ,
so
Her
n ev e r l e f t h e r g o a l o f
m a ny a n d v ar i e d
reada ble ,
entertain
t he
t h e e p i grap h t o t h i s p o r t i o n o f
c on s i d e red
e qu a l it y ,
l i k e B r o w n i n g ' s A n d rea d e l
ye t
s u g ge s t
if she
"T h e Y e l l o w W a l l -
pap e r " i s t h e m o st vi v i d o f t h o s e f la s h e s i n t h e G i l m a n
canon.
It is
unfo r t u n a t e f o r
r a n k s o f w o m en w r i t e r s ,
w o m e n' s
l iterature,
s trict l y
fe m i n i s t
a n d t h e w o r l d a t l a r ge
In
the
te a ch
that Gilman
pr o c e s s
sh e ,
b e c a m e a s k i l l e d c raft s p e r s o n ,
h e r w o r k f r e q u e n t ly l a c k s t h e " s o u l " th a t
to
th e
he r " f a n c i e s , " i n o r d e r t o
d i dac t i c f i ct io n.
l ik e A n d re a d e l S a r to ,
art , and
m ovem e nt ,
t h e c o m p a r a t iv e l y s m a l l c a n on o f
s u p p r e s s e d h e r i ma g in a t i o n ,
write
the
a rt , a s Br o wn i n g k ne w ,
but
i s t h e m a rk o f
i s t h e u l t i m at e w e a po n
t ru t h :
•
it
i s t h e gl o r y a n d go o d o f A r t ,
T h a t A r t r e m ai ns t h e o ne w a y p o ss i b l e
O f s p e ak i n g t ru t h ,
•
t o mo u t h s l i k e m i n e a t
le a s t
•
A r t m a y t e l l a t r ut h
O b l i q ue l y ,
d o t h e th i n g s h a l l b r e e d
N o r w r o ng t h e t h o ught ,
S o m a y y o u pa i n t yo u r
th e t h o u g h t ,
m i s s i n g t h e m e d i a t e wo r d .
pi c t ur e ,
t w i c e sh o w t ru th ,
Be y o n d me r e i ma ge r y o n t h e w a l l , - -
So w r i te
a b o o k s ha l l m e a n
b e yo n d t h e f a c t s .
( 1D�-�jn£_ED�- ���-�Q Q� ,
G i l m a n' s "T h e Y e l l o w
m e an s " b e y o n d t h e
W a l l p aper"
f a c t s. "
It
226
is
XI I ,
838- 86 2 )
may b e h e r on l y w o r k t h a t
A r t.
T h r o u g h h e r as s i d u i t y o f p u r p o s e ,
Gi l m an p ro b a b l y
ha s c o n t r i b u t e d a s m u c h t o t h e u l t i m a t e e q u a l i t y o f t h e
sexes
as
any
r i g h t fu l p l a c e
long
after
in the
sh e
ove rfil l e d
art i c l e s ,
p e rs o n
ha s
room
bo ok s ,
of
he r
time
an d
fo r e f r o n t o f t h e
left
at
an d
MLA
the
an d
s cen e.
the
has
a s sum ed
f e m i n i s t m o v e m ent
F ur t h e r m o re ,
pl e th ora
of
t he
G i l man
d i s s e r t a t i on s a p p e a r in g i n
ea c h m o n t h w i l l a s s u r e h e r
a
print
c o n t i n u e d in f l u e n c e t h r ou gh a t
l e a s t t h e l a s t de c a d e o f t h is
227
c e nt ury .
H I S T O R I CA L S U M MA R Y
AN D
A N N O T AT E D B I B L I O G R AP HY
OF
G I L MA N C R I T I C I S M
1 95 6 - 1 9 8 9
T H E E A RL Y HI S T O R Y O F " T H E Y E LL OW W A LL P A PE R "
W h e n " T he Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r " w a s p u b l i s h e d i n t h e .N&.H
.E.nE.l9: 1HL M .SE�.Z..1.D.e i n 1 8 9 2 , i t s i m m e d i a t e r e c e p t i o n w a s
ra d i c a l l y d i f fe r e n t
would
re c ei v e
f ro m
ov e r
typ e s o f
t he
t h r e e - q u ar t e rs
w h ic h i t
r e a d i ng s
of
a c e n t u r y l at e r .
G i l m a n ' s c o n t e m p o r a r i e s s a w i t a s a g o t h i c h o r r o r s t o ry
on t h e o rd e r o f tho s e b y P o e .
ports,
" m any e a r l y
gr o t e s q u e ,
the
p oi nt
'The
of
A c co rd i n g to
As
G a r y Sc ha r n ho rst r e­
re a d e r s c o n s i d e r e d i t a t a l e o f t h e
Fall of the
of
v iew
G il m an ,
a
Ho u s e o f U s h e r ' t o l d f r o m
t he
Lad y
r e vi ew e r
M a d e l i ne ' "
( 1 7 ).
fo r a n i s s u e o f L..1� � r a=
1�r � f o u n d t h e s t o r y " w o r t h y o f a p l a c e b e s i d e
som e
of
t h e w e i rd m a s t e r p i ec e s o f H a w t h o r ne a nd P o e , " a nd y e a r s
l a t er G i l m a n u s e d t h i s q u o t e t o ad ve rt i s e t h e s t o r y f o r
( Oc t o b e r ,
i n s t a n c e o f se v e r a l
s uch a d s ) .
friend
Martha
"aw fu 1
s t ory
tim es,
an d t h i n k s i t
S ay s
it
b ea t s
L u t he r
.
La ne
that
•
S he
3 3 is b ut one
w ro t e
M a rt ha
to
h er
must
read
good
her
it
f .Q yr
t h e mo s t ghas t l y t a l e h e eve r
re a d .
W a1 t e r
Poe
1910:
"
229
says
(27
he
Ju ly
h as
read
1890,
�.b � .r l .Q .t � �
f � rkiD� Y�1 ID �� £���£�
20 ;
q u o t e d b y S c h ar nh o r s t
1 9 ).
Po e ' s st or i e s p ro d u c e d m a ny of t h e s a m e e ff e c t s o n
hi s
re a d e rs
let t e r
to
that
the
Gi l m an' s
ed i to r
of
w oul d
later
9
I h � - �� t l Q D ,
In
pr o d uce.
December
a
1 880,
H e n r y c . L e a r e m i n i s c e s ov e r t h e i m p r e s s i o n s t h e " w e i r d
a nd s om b e r e f f ec t s s o a r t i s t i ca l l y p r od u c e d " i n m a ny o f
P oe ' s
and
s ho r t
in
s t o r i e s ha d
di s cussing s om e
R an k i n g d e s c r i b e s t he
t he
ma d e
of
on h i m
Poe ' s
effects
f o r ty
ho r r or
year s
stories,
o f Ma d e l i ne ' s a s c e n t
cryp t to Ro de ri ck ' s room a b ove ,
b urial
fo re bo d i n g nois e s ,
ca u si n g th e
a n d t he
reade r
to
ea rl i e r ;
final
ho r r i b l e
s h u dd e r o ve r " t h e
B.
M.
fro m
t he s t r a nge
revelat ion ,
w ei rd
s t o ry .
as
In
so be r ea r ne s t , I kno w o f n o t h i ng m o re aw f u l , unl e s s i t b e
th e
l a s t
s c e nes
of
'The
(1i iD�_ MQD�h1�- M�EEZl D� V I I I ,
A
m an ' s
review e r
"T h e
p ow e rful
in
for
h e r .f Q .r�!: .Y.ll l HU
i n s t a n ce ) ;
Wa l l p a p e r "
in
" s t an d s
(I
O c t o be r
19 10 :
[ story ]
gro w s
h o r ro r "
(10
an d
[ 1 89 9 ] :
s e ri o u s ,
s ly ,
i n c r e a se s
60-61 ;
with
quote d
230
Gil­
the
m o st
Gil man used
33
is
but
one
t h e ��D��.ryg � �.r
fa s c i n a t i n g ,
a
that
among
A m e r i c a , " a n o t h e r qu o t e
ads
M a l f y "'
359 ).
o b s e rv e d
a n d A n n e M o nt g o m er i e w r o t e i n
that the "sim p le,
o f
S e p t em b e r 1 8 83 :
t h e �hi��EQ_N�� �
Y e l low
p r o d uc e d
Duch e s s
perfect
to r t ur i n g
c r e s c en d o
by S c ha r nh o r s t
17).
of
In
he r
to
a u t o b i o g r a p h y G i l m an
W.
D.
H o ra c e
it.
H o w e l l s,
S cudder ,
Sc u d d e r
r e c o un t s h o w s h e s e n t
who
p e rs u a d e
e di t o r o f t h e Atlan��� - M� n�n1� ·
t o p r in t
the
turn
st o ry
a t t e m pt e d
story
to
s e nt
in
t he
back
to
Gilm an
with
the
f o l l o w i n g no t e :
De ar
M a da m ,
M r . H o w el l s h a s h a n d e d m e t h i s s t o r y .
I c ou l d
no t fo r g i v e m y s e l f i f I m a d e o t he r s a s m i s e ra b l e a s
I
His
h a v e m ad e m y se l f !
attitude
r e v i ew e r s
was
w ho
fo u n d
of
U sh e r"
ho r r i b l e i m p r e s s i o n ,
the
heart"
In
u n l ik e
r e ad i n g
" l e av e s
on
w it h o u t
an y
t ha t
Poe
of
"a
1899 ,
the
a n o n ym o us
s i c k e ni n g
the
m ind
the ir
Fa l l
a p a i n f ul
a nd
70 8 ) .
o f Bo s t o n r e p r in t e d
c h ap book
w i t h y e l l o w c ov e r s
i m p r e s s io n
of
the
w a l l p ap e r .
( R ec e nt l y ,
on e of th e se
at $600. )
I n 1 9 2 0 , W . D . H o w e l l s i n c l u d e d t h e s t o ry
hi s a nt h o l o gy ,
of
and c o.
S ma l l , M a y n a r d ,
s i mul a t e d
t a sk"
r ed e e m i n g a d m o n i t i o n t o
< ��M�h�rn_1�1�r� r�-��§ ��DE� r
" T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r " in a
that
1 19>
8 0 2 - 3 ) o r w h o r e p o rt e d t h a t " T h e
(�9.1.ll.rga�_ .!t�.Y.1 � H
t h e H o us e
not
< 1.1Y.1ng
c h a p bo o k s w a s a d v e r t i s e d f o r
�h �_Q r �9. 1 _ M � 9 � r n A m �.r� � a n_ � t � r.i � § ,
s al e
in
and
w r o t e i n h i s I n tr o d u c t i on :
It
wa nt e d
at
l e ast
t wo
23 1
g e n e r a t i on s
to
freeze
ou r
y o un g
b l oo d
w i t h M rs .
terribly
go o d
B u t t e r ri b l e
r est
sa i d i n r e f us in g i t t h a t
that
�nEJ�ng_ M�ESZi��
terribl y
it
o u g ht n e v e r t o
c o r r up t e d
into
it
be
of
w a s so
p ri n t e d.
th o ugh
I
it
w hen I
d id
o f I h � - N� �
the ed it or
p u b l i sh i n g
much as I
m anus cr i p t ,
s t o ry
a n d w h o l l y d i r e a s i t wa s , I c o u l d n ot
u nt i l I h a d
o ver it as
G i lm a n ' s
of w h i ch Ho race S cudde r ( then
Ih�-I�ll��-H gl1_ £� ��£ ,
o f Ih�-A�l���i� )
P e rk i ns
•
.
fi r st
.
I s hi v e r
read
th a t
agre e
go o d t o b e p r i nt e d .
.
it
it
wa s
in
too
(vii)
He go e s o n t o c a l l t he s t o r y "t h i s a w f u l s t u d y o f i n c i p ­
ient
H.
m adn e s s "
P.
( vi i i ) .
L ov e c r af t
t ral
tales'
Lane ,
ca l l e d
in
In
respo nse
th e s t o ry
A m e r i c an
to
thi s
p ub l i c a t i on ,
"o n e o f t h e g r ea t
l i t er a t u r e"
' sp e c ­
( Sc ha rnhors t
18;
xv i i ) .
A s fu r t h e r ev i d e n c e t h a t t h e
s t o ry w a s p e r c e i v e d
p r i m a r i lY a s a g o t h i c h o r ro r s t o r y , Ih�- N� H-��EJ� ng_ Ma8�=
�1 � � p u bl i s h e d i t
The s t or y
N o r ri s ,
i n a n i s s ue
p re c e d in g
a nd
t h a t d e a l s w i t h w i t c h c r a ft .
it is "A S a l em W it c h" b y E d i th M ary
in the s a m e i s s u e i s an i n s t al l me nt of an
a r t i c l e e n t i t l e d " S t o r i e s o f S a l e m W i t c h c ra f t " b y W i n field
s.
sto r y
was
Ne v i n s
(Ja nuary
1 89 2 ) .
r e p r i n t e d i n �gJg�n-�g�k ·
232
In
1 9 33 ,
an d i n
G i lm an' s
1 93 4 ,
it
was
r e p r i nt e d
i n a F i nn i s h
G i l m a n h e r s el f
t ranslat i on
( Scharnhor st
sa i d s h e w r ote t h i s s t or y n o t a s a
g o t h i c f a n t a s y b u t t o s h o w t h e e f f e c t s o n s o me
Mitchell 's
re st
" T h e Ye l l o w
W a l l p a p e r " p r ov o k e d ,
re s p o n s e s .
18).
cure
w hich
ha d
so
wo men of
i n capac it at ed
in t u r n ,
h e r.
v a r i e d m e d i ca l
O n e p h y s i c i a n w r o t e t o I h �_ 1 r � E � � r 1 � ! t h a t
su c h a s t o ry s h o u l d no t b e p r i n t e d a s i t c o u l d d r i v e s o m e
sus c e p t i b l e p eo p l e ma d
t h at the s t o r y w a s
been t here.
b a c k"
"t o
dr iven
c r az y ,
c raz y ,
and
" A s f a r a s o ne c a n g o a nd c o m e
He r
1 2 1 ).
people
anot her r e spond e d
so r e a l i s t i c h e w o n d e r e d i f s h e h a d
Her answer :
( .L ! Y J.. .D g
drive
( �1 Y 1nE 1 2 0 ) ;
it
i n t e nt i o n ,
b ut
to
s ai d ,
sav e p e o pl e
She
w o rk e d . "
s he
was
no t
from be ing
r e p o rt e d
that
t he
f a m i l y o f a t l e ast o n e i l l w o m a n h a d r e a d t h e s t o r y , h ad
"l e t
( "W h y
her
out
i nto
I
W rote
T he
p h ys i c i a n w r o t e
no r m al
activity
Yel l o w
and
she
Wa l l pa p e r ? "
r e c ov ere d"
21 7).
Another
to h e r :
W h e n I r e a d " T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p er " I w as v e r y m uc h
p l e a se d
w i th
d el igh t e d
again I
t o uch
it ;
wit h
when
it ,
a nd
I
re ad
now
am o v e rw he l m e d w i th
a nd
the
c o r re c t n e ss
d o c t o r ' s s t a n d po i n t
•
.
233
.
it
that
the
of
I
a g ain
have
made a
was
re a d
de l i cacy of
portrayal.
y o u ha v e
I
it
your
From
a
success.
So
far
as
I
know ,
and
I
am
f a ir l y
l i t e r a t u r e , t h e r e h a s b e e n n o d e t a il e d
i n c i p i e nt
greate st
Her
i n s a ni t y .
j oy over
( L.iYi.n g
t he
w e ll
up
on
account of
1 20 )
s t o ry ' s
recept i on,
h ow e v er ,
c a m e w h en s h e w a s t o l d y e a r s a f t e r w a r d t h at M i t ch e l l " h a d
a lt e r e d
Y el l o w
217)
his
t r e a t m e nt
W a l l p a p e r "'
o f ne u ra s t h en i a
s ince
r e a d i ng
'T he
( "W h y I W r o t e ' T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r ' "
•
W h i le re pu di a t i o n o f M i t c h el l ' s c u r e m a y h a ve
b e e n G il m an ' s o st e n s i b l e r e a s on f o r w r i t i ng t h i s s t o r y ,
"T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r " c o n c e r n s m u c h m o r e t h an t h e e ff e c t s
Mi t c he l l ' s r e s t c u r e h a d o n s o m e o f h i s p a t i e n t s .
s to r y
be
wr i tt e n in
viewed
as
G i l m a n k n ew ,
a
for
the
ear ly
m i c ro c o s m
part o f Gil man's
of
so c i e ty
i t rep r es e nt s in figu r e s w r i t l a rg e he r
v i e w o f the p o s s ib l e en d r e su l t t o
t h e un co r re c t e d
c a r e e r m i gh t
p a t r iar ch a l
t he
Th i s
re p r e s s e d
b o th m a n and w o m a n o f
c o n di t i o n of
w o m e n,
a
t o pi c
t h a t w o u l d b e h e r p r i m a ry f o c u s d u r i n g t h e f o r t y y e a r s
sh e
a c t i v el y
In
1973 ,
w r o t e an d l e c t ur ed .
t h e F e m i n i s t P r e s s p r e s e n t e d "T h e Y e l l o w
W a 1 1 p a p e r " t o t h e p u b 1 i c o n c e a ga i n w i t h i t s e d i t i o n o f
the
s t o r y a n d an
Af t e r w o r d b y E l a i ne
H ed g e s ,
w a s t h e f i r s t f e m i ni s t re a d i n g o f t h e s t o r y .
234
who se
e s s ay
T h a t p u b l i-
c a t i on i s n ow
F e m i n i s t P r e s s ' s " b es t - s e l l i n g vo l u m e , "
and
i t i s a l s o " o n e o f t h e b e s t - s e l l i n g w o rk s o f f i c t i o n b y
u n i v e rs i t y p r e s s e s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . "
it
h a s b e en " r e p r i n t e d i n
E n g l an d ,
t he
In a d di ti on,
N e t h e r l an d s ,
W e st
G e r m any, Sp ai n , Sw e d e n a nd Ic e l a n d , and i t h a s i n s pi red
s e v e ra l
f ilm s
( H e d ge s .M L .A
and
d ram ati z a t i o ns
an d
ev en
an
o p e r a"
s to r y ,
i t h as
1 ).
S i n c e H e d ge s ' s f e m in i s t r e a d i n g o f t h e
b e en t he s ub j e c t of a v ar i e d s p e c t ru m o f r e a di n g s .
H e d g es
M LA
o b s e rve s
i n t h e p a p e r sh e
c on f e re n ce ,
reve a l i n g
g r a ph
of
t he
st o r y ' s
m aj o r
As
d e l i v e r e d a t th e r e c e n t
read i n gs
cr i t i c a l
shi ft s
a re
"a
m ost
b ot h in s i d e
and
o u t s i d e o f f e m i n i s t l i t e r a r y t h eo r y an d p ra c t ic e " ( 1 0 ) .
He r o w n r e a d i n g i s b i o g r a p h i c a l a s s h e d r a w s p a r a l l e l s
b e t w e en
a
G i l m an ' s o w n
b i ogr a p h i c a 1
d ependent
a n a l y s ts
to o ,
l i fe
r e ad i n g
an d t h a t o f h e r n a r ra t o r .
c o n ti n u e s
the
i n t e r p r e t at i o ns
on t h e p s yc h o an a l y t ic a l t h eo r i e s o f s u c h p s y c ho ­
a s F re u d
and
Lacan,
a t t e mp t t o p s y c h oa n a l y ze
ra t o r .
in
Such
T he
s t o ry
has
for
in t e rp r e t a ti o n s ,
Gi l m an a l o n g
a l so been examined
ge n r e a s a n e xa m p l e o f r e a l i s m ,
fe m a l e g o t h i c ;
these
wit h her n ar­
acco rdi ng to
of modernism ,
a s a M a r xi s t - f e m i n i s t d o c u m e nt ;
an d o f t h e
ac co rdi n g
t o t he t h e or i es o f t h e r e a d e r - r e s p ons e c r i t i c s ;
235
as dis-
t h eo ry
c o ur s e
a t tem pt s to
in
w h i ch
read--and
w a l l p a per
t he
w r i te - - h e r
H i s to r ic i s t s w h o i nv e s t i g a t e
ness
w it h
i d e o lo gy"
( H ed ge s
t he
re p r e s e n t s
self;
w o m a n' s
and by the N e w
s t o ry ' s " c o m p l i c i t o u s ­
9).
T h e w a l l p a p e r i t s el f h a s b e e n c i t e d a s a m e t a p h o r
fo r e v e r y a s p e c t o f t h e n a r r a t o r ' s l i f e s i t u a t i o n a s i t
is
r e gu l a t ed
b y her
pa t ri a r c h a l
s oc iety,
and
als o,
sine e
t h e n a r r a t o r i s a w r i t e r , a s a m e t ap ho r f o r t h e s i t u a t i on
o f t h e f e m a l e a u t h o r i n s e a r c h o f a l a n gu a g e o f h e r o w n
as
we l l
as
fo r t he
re l a t i o n sh i p
an d re adi n g a nd w r i ti n g.
p ret
i t as
t he
s to r y ' s
de f e a t ,
end i n g as
b etwee n
v icto ry,
ab o ut
half
sa m e cr i t i c
t o i n fa n t i l e
inter pr et
s ee s b o t h
T h e n ar r a to r ' s m a d ne s s
v i e w e d v a r i o u s l y a s " a h i g h e r fo r m o f s a n i t y "
a r ev e r s i o n
g en d e r
A b o u t h a 1 f t h e cr i t i c s i n t e r -
and s o m et i m e s t he
in t e r pr et a t i o n s a s v a l i d .
inheren t
b e h a vi o r ,
d e fe a t .
2 36
or a
is
thus
( H e d g es 2 ) ,
total and utte r
A N N O T A T E D BI B L I O G R A P H Y
T h i s a n n ot a t e d b i b l i o gr a p h y o f G i l m an
c r it icis m
a r ra nge d i n c h r o n o l o gi c a l o r d e r b e gi n n i n g w i t h
ler's
C a rl D e g­
1 9 5 6 a r t i c l e t h a t r e a w ak e ne d i n t e r e s t i n G i l m a n a n d
i n c l u d i n g u n p u b l i sh e d
di s s e r t a t i o n s a n d
p u b l i s h ed
ic i s m
S i nc e
d e al
with
is
t h ro u gh
other
Wa l l p ap e r "
1 9 89.
a s pe c t s
of
f r e qu e n t ly
critics
Gil m an's
me ntion
who
w o rk
t h at
crit­
p r i n c ipal ly
t h a n " Th e Ye l l ow
story
at
least
in
p a s s i n g , a l l t h e cr i t i c i s m i s g r o u p e d t o ge t h e r w i t h t he
s y m b ol Y W d e n o t i n g wo r k s t h a t d e a l p r i n c i pa l ly
Ye l l o w
w i t h "The
W al l p ap er . "
1956
D egl e r ,
Carl
and
N.
"Charlotte
P e rk i n s G i l m an o n t h e T h e o r y
P ra c t i c e o f F em i n i s m . "
A��ri � gD_Qy g £��r1x .
( 1 95 6 ) :
2 1-39.
In
a r t i c l e w hi c h d r ew
th is
p u bl i c
a t t e n t i o n o n ce
m o re
to
Gil m an ,
D eg l e r d ra ws
w ork
to
explain
he r theo ri es of fe minism
on
8.1
m uch
of
Gi l m an's
and
the
m e a n s b y w h i c h s h e t h o ug h t w o m e n c o ul d b e fr e e d f r o m
237
t he
ch o r e s
of
m ot he r / h o u s e w i f e
o u t s i d e t h e h o me .
le nt
in
o rd e r
to
w o rk
synop s i s of fe r s an e x c e l ­
Th i s
p re s e nta ti on o f Gi l m a n ' s
t h e o r i e s a nd i s t h e
p e r fe c t pl a c e t o b eg i n a st ud y o f
her
w o rk .
1966
I n t ro d uc t i o n .
Degl e r , C ar l .
N ew
Char l o t t e P e rki n s G i l man .
Row ,
By
.H .Q !!! �n - � .n g _ .E .Q Q .P.Q .Ill i ..Q.£1 .
Yo rk :
Harper
and
v i - x xx v .
1 9 6 6.
D e g l e r a v e r s t h a t G i l m a n p r o b ab l y w r ot e f r o m m e m o r y ,
w as no t
a c a re fu l
h e r fa c t s ,
b ut
sch o l a r ,
an d
d i d n o t a l w a y s c he c k
" t h e v a l u e a n d p o w e r o f h e r b o ok
d o e s n o t t o d a y r e s t o n t he
t r ut h o f i t s h i s to r y o r
a n t hr o p o l o gy a n y m o r e t h a n i t d i d w h e n i t w a s p u b l i sh e d . "
I n st e a d ,
he r
p u r pos e " w as
cr iti cize
co nte m p o r ary
s e xe s , "
s he
an d
k no w l e d ge
and
d rew
h er
o wn
her
t o an a ly z e
an d
be t w e en
the
r el a t i o n s
in fo r m at io n
sy s t e m a t i c ,
but
" fr o m
c om m on
wide
re a d i n g
" Us i ng lo g i c a s h e r m et h o d o f a t t a c k ,
she
t a r ge t e d t h e i n c o n s i s t e n c i e s s h e s a w " b e t w e e n t h e
p r et e ns i o n s an d p ra c t i c e s o f s o c i e t y , "
pi ckin g
up
s u p po r t e d
"eve ry
" th e
s ocial
idi o cy"
c o nv ent i o n a l
2 38
wi sdom
merci l ess ly
t hat
sh e
abo u t
f el t
w o m en ,
s u b j ec t ing
it
to
witty
r i di c u l e "
( x x xi ) .
Degle r
e m p h a s i z e s t h a t G i l m an ' s e n t i r e a r g u m e n t i s b a s e d
up o n
p r in c ip l e s
evo l u t io n ,
s o ci a l
of
g r o wt h .
"She
w a s n o p r o p o n e n t o f t h e e i gh t e e n t h - c e n t u r y i d e a o f
n atur al
la w .
T ho s e
s t at i c
ab an d o n e d i n t h e f a c e
ev o lu t i o na r y
d e fe n s e s o f e qu a l i t y s h e
o f t h e t r i u m p h o f D a r w i n i an
t h o u gh t "
( xx xi i i - i v) .
1 973
Hedges,
E la i n e
R.
By
C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s G i l m a n .
1 973.
YW
N e w Yo rk :
F emini st
P,
3 7 - 6 3.
H ed ge s
gi v e s
a
brief history of
the
s t o ry
Gi l m a n ,
re l at i ng t he t wo s i n c e t h e s to r y i s
alized
a u t o bi o g r a p h y .
Sh e
al s o
di s cu s s e s
a nd
of
fi c t i on ­
G i l m an 's
t e c h n i q u e in w ri t i n g t he s t o r y a s s he p r e s e n ts i t s
f i r s t f e m i n i s t re a d i n g .
I n a d di t i o n ,
H e d g e s e x a m in e s
G i l m an ' s f e m i n i s t t h eo r i e s a s e x p r e ss e d i n H .a .m �.ILg !}.Q
.E.C.QDQilli .C� .
Wood,
An n D o u gl a s .
" 'The
F a s h i o n ab l e D i s e a s e s' :
Wo me n ' s
C o m p l a i n t s a n d T he i r T re a t m e n t i n N i ne t e e n t h C e n t u r y
A m e ri ca . "
4.1
! h � - � .Q Yrnal_�f_ln��rg1��1�11n�rx_�i�t�rx
( 1 973 ) :
25-5 2.
2 39
YW
In h e r di s cus sion of m e d i cal practi ce s o n w o m e n in
the
ninete e nt h
ce n t ury,
W ood
p e r ce iv es
p h y s i c i a n ' s at t i t u d e t o w a r d w o m e n w a s
the
g e n e r al
ma l e
and identity.
ci an
"on
att i t u de
own
i n d i c at i v e o f
w om e n ' s
t oward
t he
s e x u a l i ty
S h e d e t e r m i n e s t h at t h e m a l e ph y s i -
so m e
u n a c k n o w l e d ge d
f e m a l e pa t i ent "
his
t h at
lev e l ,
fe a r e d
his
b e c a u s e i n s o m e w a y s s h e t h r e a t e ne d
s e x ua l i ty ,
and
d i s c us s e s C a t h e r i n e
she
Be e c h e r ' s 1�i!�£�-�£_!g�-��Q�1�-�D ���1!D_gD�_]g��i=
an d
n���
f e m al e
"The
Ye l l ow
S he al s o e xa m i n e s
l i gh t .
rie s ,
G i l man' s
and
p ro v i d e s
S.
i n s i ght
W a l l p a p e r"
in
t h is
W ei r M it c h el l ' s theo­
int o
the
h i s t o ry
of
t he
do ctor.
1 9 74
M o ra n t z , R e g i n a
•
"Th e Lady a nd Her Phy si c i an "
•
l; 1 ! ..Q...!.§
�QD§�lQY� D�§§_]gl§�gi-_M� �-��r����!lY� § _ Q n _ ! b � H i�=
!Qr� �I �Q� �D.
New
YW
Yo r k :
M o r a nt z
E d s.
Harper ,
M a ry s.
1 9 74 ;
rpt.
H a r t m a n a n d L o i s B a nn e r .
O c t a go n ,
1 976.
ta k e s i s s u e w i t h h i s t o r i a n s w ho
3 8- 5 3.
view
V i c t o r ia n w o m an s o l e l y a s a v i c t i m o f t h e m al e
t here fo re ,
s t at e o f t he
of
her
m ale
p rac t i ce o f
24 0
d o c t o r.
m e d i c i ne
She
e xam i ne s
the
and ,
t he
in t he ninet e e nth
c e n t ury ,
a t t em p t
e s p ec ia l l y t h a t
to
of
S.
W e i r M i t c h el l ,
put t h e p ro f e s s i o n an d i t s
p e r s p e c t i ve
an d
di s cusse s
the
ide as
in
p r o ce d u r e s
of
so m e
an
in
fe m a l e
d o c t o r s o f t h e p e r i o d " t o e xp lo r e h o w so m e Vi c t o r i an
w o m e n vi e w e d t h e i r r o l e s i n ni n e t e e n t h - c e n t ur y A m e r i c an
M a r ant z
so c ie ty. "
w o m e n' s
condition
v a n t a g e p o i nt ,
m al e
in
a d vo c a t e s
s o ci e t y
l o ok i n g
f r om
m o re
at
t he
tha n one
n o t s o l e l y " fro m t h e p e r s p e c ti v e o f
dom i n a t i o n. "
1 97 5
Mac P i ke ,
"E n v i r o n m e n t a s P s y c h o p a t h o l o g i c a l
L o r al e e .
in
S ym bo l i s m
'The
L.!.t�r.iiU.'.Y_.fi�� .li lil!!!
YW
Yellow
8
( 1 975 ) :
Wal lpape r.' "
286 -88.
M ac P i k e d e a l s w i t h t h e s y m b o l i s m
c i f i ca l l y
bed stea d ,
the
nurs ery ,
the
an d t h e w a l l p a p er .
ca n be c o n s i d e r e d r e a l i s m ,
"what
is
re a l
" s ub j e c t i v e
P a nn i l l ,
Linda
Fi ct i o n ,
Chapel
Su s a n n e .
She
b e l ie v e s t he
b ut that i t
s i n ce
" i n t e gr a l
24 1
s pe­
t he
s to r y
r e pres e n t s
Gi l m an
( m ale )
D i s s . U o f No r t h
1 9 75 .
s to r y ,
w in d ow s ,
11T h e A r t i s t - H e r oi n e
1 89 0 - 1 920."
Hi l l ,
of
in t h e
ba rred
t � _.t h � - � Yth 2 r "
o b se rv e r "
A. m � r .i .!HtD
wa s
a
s o c ie t y . "
i n A m e r i c an
Carol ina at
P an n i l l
d i s cu s s e s
t h e f i c t i o n o f E l l e n G l a s go w ,
b ut
A ustin ,
t h em ,
m e nti o ns
many
W i l l a C at h e r ,
others ,
n o t o r io u s
" mo s t
Gi l m a n
fa i l u r e "
an d
in
an d M ar y
a mo ng
S he dea l s w i t h Gil man as S .
as w el l .
M i t c h el l ' s
p ri m a ril y
art is t - h e r o i n e
th e
We ir
br i e f l y
d i s c u s s e s " Th e Y e l lo w W a l l p a p e r " a s a " p s y c h o l og i c a l
ho rr or t al e " ( 7 1 ) .
Sch o p p - S ch i l l i n g ,
YW
8.3
( 1975 ) :
Sch o pp -S c hi ll i ng
i n t e r p r et
" 'T h e
"Th e
u s es
W a l l p ap e r ' :
Y el l o w
' R ea li s t i c ' S to r y . "
R edi s co v er e d
.r x_ Re�J.l-.§.!!1
Beate .
A
A m � r 1 � � n_ L 1 �� r � =
2 8 4 - 28 6 .
A d l e r i an
Yellow
p s yc ho l o g y
d ept h
Wal lpaper"
as
a
to
re a l i s t i c
po r t r ay a l o f p s y c h o l o g i c a l p ro c e s s e s i n v o lv e d i n t h e
n a r ra t o r ' s
p s yc hi c
d i s i n t e gr a t i o n as
sh e a t t e m p t s t o
S he fe el s t hat
ove r c o m e f e el i n g s of in fe r i o r i t y .
m or e n ee d s t o b e do n e w i t h t h i s a spec t of the s tory.
1 9 78
F l e e no r ,
r ior
YW
S pa c e . "
F le e nor
dom
"G i v in g B i r th :
Ju l i a n n E v a n s .
D i s s.
in s i s t s
on l y
" at
U o f T ol e d o ,
tha t f i c t i on al
t he
pr ice
of
I m a ge s
1 9 78.
w o m e n ca n ga i n fr e e ­
ce l ibacy
f i c t i o n a l w o m e n fe a r h e t e r o s e x u a l i t y
2 42
of I n t e ­
.
.
•
.
.
(6).
T hes e
T he
n ar ra t o r ' s n u r s e r y
s u m es
a w o m b l i k e a t m o s p he r e "
i m ag e s
(7).
an d m u l t ip l y ,
i n cr e a s e
Wal lp a p e r " "as­
in "T h e Y e l l o w
As
t he
t h e re "is
wal lpaper
the
s ugges­
t i o n i n t he s e pa s sa g e s t h at t he n a r ra t o r i s g i v i n g
b irth
to
d e fo r m e d
e xp er ie n c e s
A c co rd i n g
e xce p t
to
d i sor de r or
V i v i an .
Se p t e m b e r
YW
gro t es q u e
"the
i m p o s e d o rd e r ,
th e
ca n n o t s h ap e
that s he
as
F le eno r ,
p r e se nc e l i m it s
Go r n i c k ,
bein gs,
male
is
an d t h a t
a
is
w hy
with
R ee d ( 1 9 7 6 ) .
narrator
a nd
Reed,
sto r y .
T he
in
the
Bo t h w o m e n
t he
two
( 13).
23
278-28 1 .
Anna
t el l s
of
h is
.I.b �_ lf.S!:�.i .Q .P .
Go r n i c k c o m p a re s t h e n a r r a t o r of "T h e Y e l l o w
p e r"
( 9 ).
sy m bo l
cr ea t i v i t y o f th e wo m an "
"T w ic e T ol d T ale s . "
1 9 7 8.
f orm s"
her
her
have
st o r y
h us ba n d
n ov e l
m e nt a l
Davi d
by
b re a k d o w n s ;
"The
Y el l o w
A nn a ,
t el l s
in
of
A ..D .P .a
W a l l pa­
the
Wa l l p a p e r , "
hi s
w i fe ' s
s t o r i e s h a v e s o m a n y p a r a l l e l s th a t
Go r n i c k s e e s A n n a ' s s to r y a s
e ss e n t i al l y a d u p l i c a -
t i on
in
of
G il man 's ,
e s p e ci a l l y
"the
f a t al
s u ffo-
c a t i o n of s p ir i t t h a t c o m m on l y l a y b eh i n d a n i ne ­
t ee nt h - c en tury
w o m an ' s
Go rni c k
b ot h
vi e w s
hap pi l y
h u s b a nd s
as
m a r r ie d
l i f e"
basicall y
( 28 1 ) .
go o d
m en
w i th go od i n t e n t i o n s w h o s e b a s i c p ro b l e m i s th e i r
243
p o si t i o n a s h u s b a n d s ; t h e n a tu r e of m ar r i a g e
t he m t o d o t h e i r w o rk
pels
w i ve s i f n e c e s s a ry .
W ork
at t h e e x p e ns e o f t he i r
defines
sense
them
a n d s h o ul d
I ns t e a d , t h e w i v e s l o os e
d e fi n e t he i r w i ve s a s w e l l .
t he i r
co m ­
of s e l f .
1 9 79
G i l b e rt ,
Sandra
j!.b �_.A.t.t .! .Q .
Gilbert
M.
an d
1 9 79 ;
and
S usan
rp t .
Gub ar
Gub a r .
Ne w
H aven :
1 b � - M � � � � � � n_ ! n
Yale
1 984.
UP,
t h is l a n d m ar k boo k i n an
wrote
e f fo r t t o un d e r s t a nd t he c o m mo n p a t t e r n s ,
the m es,
an d i m a g e s t h a t t h e y d e t e c t e d i n t h e w o rk s o f d i s p a ­
r a t e w om en w r i ter s
B ront e
from
"J a n e
to E m i l y D i c k i n s on ,
Plath" ( x i ) .
Austen
an d
V ir g i n i a W o o l f ,
C ha r l o t t e
a n d S yl v i a
W h a t u nf o l d s f o r t h e m a n d t he
reade r
i s a c o he r e n c e i n l i t e r a t u r e w r i t t e n b y w o m e n t h a t
c an
b e e x p l a in e d " b y a
s t r u gg l e
free
from
co m mon ,
social
and
f emale
li te rar y
i mp ul s e
c on f i n e m en t
t h r o u g h s t ra t e g i c r e d e f i n i t i o n s o f s e l f ,
s oc i ety" ( xii ) .
to
art,
and
Th i s w o rk i s a n at t e m p t t o e x p an d
u p o n a n d t o d e f i n e fu r t h e r t h e f e m a l e l i t e ra r y t r a d i ­
t i on
whi c h
locat ed
in
El l en
e a r l ie r
n i n e t e e n t h - c e n t u ry
M o e r s an d
E l a i ne
S h o w a l t e r h av e
s t u d ies
b y f o cu si n g
t e xt s .
B a s in g t he i r
244
on
" cr u c i a l "
m et h o d o l o g y
on Bloom ' s pre m i s e t hat " l i te rary his to ry c on si s t s
of
s t r on g
act i on
and
i ne vitab le
re a c t i o n , " t h e s e
a u t h o r s s e e k t o " d e s cr i b e b o t h t h e e x p e r i e n c e th a t
g e ne r a t e s t h e m e t a p h o r a n d t h e m e t a pho r t h a t c r e a t e s
e x p e ri e n c e "
( xi i i ) .
In
t h e i r d i s c u s s i o n o f G il m an ' s
"T h e Y e l l o w W al l p a p e r , " t h e s e a ut ho r s l i k e n G i l ma n ' s
story
of
" fe mal e
c on fin em ent
and
es cape"
to
.sl � I HL .E Y .r � ( 8 5 ) ; b o t h h e r o i n e s ,
f o r e xa m p l e , e x p e r ­
ien c e f r a g m e n t a t i o n s o f s e l f .
T h e y v i ew
n a r r a to r ' s
m a d ne s s a s a
t r iu m p h
b e ca u s e
G i l m an ' s
he r
h us b an d
"h a s be en t em p o r ar i l y d e fe a t e d , o r a t l e a s t mo m e n­
t ar i l y
s t u n ne d , " b u t o f e v e n m o r e
c o n s e q u e nc e a r e
t h e n a r ra to r ' s " o w n i m agi n i n g s an d c r e a ti o n s ,
mi­
r a g e s o f h e a l t h a n d f r e e do m w i t h w hi c h h e r a u t ho r
e n d o w s h e r l i ke
a
H il l ,
sleep ing
h e r o i ne "
V i c k i L ynn.
F e m i n i st
N ew
in
Y o rk
a f a i ry go d m o th e r s h o w e r in g go l d
at
(91 )
.
" S t ra t e gy a n d
B r e a d th :
A m e r i c an F i c t i on . "
B u f f alo ,
on
T he
Di s s.
So c i a l i s t ­
S t at e U o f
1 979.
I n h e r at t em p t t o " l o c a t e a n d d i s c u s s a t t en t i on p a i d
to
s e x u al
t i on
and
writt en
b e t w e en
ec on o m i c
by
powe r
Am e ri c a n
t h e J a c k s o ni a n
245
r e l a t i o n s h ip s
women
bank
during
cr i s i s
a nd
in
f ic ­
t he
y ea r s
t he
first
W o rld
War"
( ii i ) ,
.sl..DiL.E..Q .QD.QIDi,..Q .s ,
w ork s
in
role
"social
P erkins
Gil m an ' s
rat her
r e s pon s i bl e
for
P r i n gl e
than
s exual
'T he
3
Yel lo w
( 1 9 79 ) :
W a l l p ap er . ' "
1 5 - 22 .
fi n d s t h a t t he n a r r a t o r h a s j u x t a ­
posed
h er
m e m or i e s o f h e r
c o r"
w it h h e r pre s e n t
c h i l dh o o d
abod e w h i ch
h o us e
as
ha s b a r r e d
a w a l l p a p e r w ho s e p a t t e rn f o r m s b a r s .
o f y e l l o w wal l p ap e r t he narrat o r s h ape s
t h in g s h e
as
f ra m e w o rk f o r a n a l y s i s o f t h e
U s i n g a ho u s e a s a
d ows and
w as
H�.r1a.n..d
" ' La P o e t i qu e d e l ' e s p a c e ' i n C h a r­
E��.n�b-�m � r1..Q.a.n_R�Y1� �
p s y c he ,
and
( 22 9 ) .
P r i ng l e , M a r y B e t h .
YW
G i l m a n ' s .H ..2 m � ..o
co ndi t i o n in g
i n e v i t ab i l it y
b e h a v io r "
lotte
di s cu s s e s
N.2Yi!!1L.t..h�_l:f.Q.Y.D..t.a1, .n ,
w hich
b i o l o g i c al
Hill
"s uc­
w in­
" Ou t
the o nl y
a c a ge . "
kn o w s :
1 980
Glenn,
E l l e n W a lk e r .
"T h e A n d r o g y no u s W o m a n C h a r a e t e r i n
t he
A m e ri c an Nov e l . "
de r ,
1 980.
G l e nn
stat e s
th a t
D i s s.
U o f C o l o ra d o
at B o u l -
" t h e a n d r o gy n o u s w o m an d o e s e x i s t
t o s o m e e x t e nt , a n d c u r r e n t r e s e a r c h h a s a t t e m p t e d
to
give
a
con c re t e
p o rt r a i t
246
of
t h e a nd r ogy n o u s p e r-
s o n a l i t y " ( 7 ) ; a n d r og y n y , h ow e v e r ,
a s s u m e s t h at
m e n and w o m e n a re
b eh a v i o r a nd
t he i r
fr e e t o
in
an
in ]�rlaDg
( 25 ) a n d
H a w t h or n e
c us s ion
of
al m o s t
T he
fi r st
e x c l u s iv e l y .
G i l m a n ' s ] � r l a n£ ,
s he
we
c al l
ab s o l u t e l y
no
m a s c u l i ne
and
c o n s i d e ra t i on
fe m i n i n e
of
the
ne ss o r be comi ng a
that
two
In
c ha p t e r s
her
t h at
E l l a d o r o f H �rl�D£ " i s
so
the
Th ey b l e n d
t r ai t s
w i th
A m on g o ther
" o n l y i n ]� � l � Dg i s
m a n a bs e n t "
di s ­
ap p r o pr i at e n e s s
of m a s c ul i n e t ra i t s f o r wo m en" ( 1 1 0 ) .
f e m i n i st u t o pi an no v e l s ,
a n d r o gy n o u s
s t at e s
w o m e n t h e r e a r e " t o t a l l y a nd r og y n o u s.
w hat
of
d i s c u s s e s t h e an d r o g y n o u s
q u a l i t i e s o f He s t e r P r y n n e .
d i s cu s s
c ho o s e t he i r
at m o s ph e r e
Gl e n n r e fe r s t o " t h e
e qu a l it y " ( 1 4 ) .
w o m a n"
att itude s
is "an ideal ; it
(1 1 7).
She
m an­
writes
a n d r o g y no u s th a t
sh e
can c o n v in c e a m an o f t h e v a l ue o f a w o r l d w i tho u t
s e x r o l e s" ( 1 2 2 ).
Hill ,
M a ry A.
s t r u ggl e
" C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s G i l m a n :
With
2 1 .3 ( 1 980 ) :
Hill
W o m anh o o d . "
A Fe m i n i s t' s
M � � ���D�� �! �§_] � Y i � li
503-526.
e x a m i n e s G i l m a n ' s p r i v a t e s t ru g gl e s w i t h t h e
t heo r i e s
she
f o rm u l a t e d
24 7
a n d e x p o u nd e d ,
c i ti n g
pas -
s a ge s
f ro m
v a r i ou s
her
peopl e
pe rsonal
that
d i ari e s
il l u s t r a t e
e nd u r e d a s s h e s t ru g gl e d w i t h
i n d e p e n d e nt .
Her
e ra ' s
to
r e c on cil e
su p e ri o r i t y t o m a n ,
of her w riting,
and
view
c ha racte ristics
difficult
p ub l i c
the
ago ni e s
to
s he
d esire to be
o f w o me n ' s
w ere
with
thus ,
lett ers
her w o m an's d e sire t o
b e l ov e d an d h e r h u m a n
love and to
l e a rned
a nd
o ft e n
her
i n nat e
b l ur r e d
ide a
of
and
and
wo man's
t h e c o n t ra d i t i o n s in
so m e
t h e d i c h o t o m y b e t w e e n h e r p r i v at e
selves.
- -- · � D � �l 2 � t � - i�� kin��i 1 m�ni__ 1h�- M��i�E_Qf_A_��g1gEl
r� m .i .n i § �.J.
Ph i l ad e l p h i a :
1.8 .Q .Q = 1 .6 .2 .6 .
Te m p le
UP,
1 980 .
Th i s d e f i n i t i v e b i o g r a p h y i s t h e f i r s t vo l u m e o f a
p ro po s e d
two -vo lum e
c hr o n ol o g ic al ly
set.
t h r o ug h
H il l
1 89 6
t r ac es
G i l m an ' s
a f t e r Gi l m a n ' s re t u r n
f r o m E ng l an d a n d h e r i n v i t a t i o n to c o n t r i b�t e
t h e A m � � i � ��-I�Q1 g � .
c h r o no l og i c a l l y
the
He r o b j e c t i v e
to
i s " t o t ra c e
o ri gins o f C harl o t te
248
l ife
Gil man's
fe m in is t
convic tions
and
to
e x p l a in
p a t t e r n s o f h e r e a r l y l i fe . "
The
t h e b o ok i s G i l m an ' s " s t r u g gl e
our
com mon
wo m anh o o d , '
or,
som e of the
cen tral
fo c u s o f
w i t h th e ' b ur d e n o f
mo r e
a cc u rat e ly ,
t he
b ur d e n o f o u r c o m m o n h u m a ni t y . "
K ol o dn y ,
Ann e t te .
the
"A Map
I n t e r pr e t a t i o n
1 1
g. r :� _Hi �.tsn:Y.
R e r ea d i n g :
fo r
of
L i t e ra ry
( 1 9 80 ) :
4 5 1 -67.
Or,
G en d e r
an d
N� � -1! � �r =
T e xt s . "
K o l o d n y e xa m i n e s t h e l i m i t a t i o n s o f B l o om ' s m o d e l
for
the
p roc e s s
of
re a d i n g
"a
s y ne cd o c h e
l a rg e r w h o l e in c l u d i n g o t h e r
t e xt s . "
t e x t s h a v e f ew p re c u r so r s a nd
w o m an w r i t e s
a
fo r
S i n c e wo m e n ' s
s p h e r e o f e x p e r ie n c e a n d n o t fro m m a n ' s ,
fro m
her
m an can n o t
u n d e r s t a n d w o m e n ' s l i t e r a t u r e if h e c an n ot " r e a d "
w o m an ,
wo m an ;
of
he r .
p e r"
S he
and
st ories
h ow eve r ,
d i s c u s s e s G i l m an ' s
Gla s pel l 's
that
u n w i 1 1 i n gn e s s ,
m ale
to
texts
"A
i l l us t rat e
"ope n
is
ne w
of
m an ' s
Her
P e e rs"
an d
ne c e s s a r y ,
fo r
al l ow
her
as
even
wo r l d .
i n K o l o dn y ' s
co m p r e h en d i n g
us to
a p p rec i at e
t h e v a r i e t y o f w o m en ' s l i t e r a r y e xp r e s s i o n
24 9
Wal lpa­
in a b i l i t y ,
w o m an
a v e nu e s
[and to ]
" T h e Y e l lo w
Jur y
i n t e rp r e t
to
" R e vi s i o n a r y r e a d i n g"
o pi n i o n ,
o f t e n a c ce p t s m a n ' s r e a d i n g
.
•
.
.
"
Lane ,
An n J .
In t ro d u c t i o n .
N e w Yo r k :
Jl�.§:.Q� .
1D��h�rlQ� ��-i�rk�n� Q�lm�n
Pa Ii ., h e on B o o k s ,
L an e ' s bo ok i s a l s o a g oo d p l a c e t o
G i 1 m an.
S he
o f f er s
syn o pse s of th e
of
i x-x1 ii .
•
b e gi n
a s t u dy o f
s u c c i n c t b i o gr a p h y o f G i l m a n ,
a
e l e v e n s h o r t s t o r i e s an d p o r t i o n s
co l l e ct i on ,
s e v e n n o v e l s i nc l u d e d i n t h e
go o d ov e r vi e w o f G i l m a n ' s
h e r w o rk as
1 980
s o ci a l v i e w s
an d a
an d of
a w h o le .
1 981
Ha y d e n ,
Del o re s .
ID�-�r�n.Q_�Q m�§�1�-]�Y�l��12DL--�-��§=
� QrX 2f f�min!§�-��§!Bn�_f Q r_Am �r!£�D-�Qm�§�-N�1gn�9r=
Ca m b r id g e :
DQ.Q d s..t_�ng _�!.t.l.: � ·
T h e au t h o r
" d e m an d e d
fo c u s e s
e c o no m i c
on
w a s o n l y one
" f e m in i n e
" m aterial
re m une r at i o n
h o u s eh ol d l a b o r" { 3 ) .
but
M I T P r e ss ,
1981.
f e m i n i s t s"
fo r
w o m e n' s
who
unpai d
G i l m a n w a s n o t an e x t r e m i s t
o f m any
t r a n s fo r m a t i o n
w o m e n w h o a d v o c a t e d t he
of
t he
home"
{4 ) .
The
m a t e r i a l fe m in i s t s r e p re s e n t t h e c h as m s e p a r at i n g
M a r xi s m
a n d f em i n i s m .
in creas e d
"s o c i a l i z e d
"became
the i mpet u s
l a b or , "
mo re
but
is ol ated
Th e in d u str ial
rev o l u tion
t o w a r d m a s s p r o d u c t i o n an d
c o n c o mi t a n t l y
fro m
250
her
t he
h us b a n d "
h o u se w i f e
(13)
an d
f ro m soc i et y .
T h e g r e a t e s t l e ga c y o f t h e m a t e r i a l
f e m i n i s t s w a s t he i r
a l t er n at i v e s
V,
to
r e c o ns i d e ra t i o n o f a v a r iet y o f
f em i n i n e
do me st i ci t y
(28).
In
e n t i t l e d " C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s G i l m a n a n d
Part
Her I n­
f l u e n ce" ( 1 8 1 - 2 7 8 ) , H ay d e n p r es e nt s a n i n t e r e s t i n g
a n d a c cu r a t e p o r t r a i t o f G i l m an an d h e r v a r i e d a c t i v it i e s ,
both
" p r a c t i ca l
c e r t a i n ly no t e x t r e m e :
w as
a
so m e w h at
m a t e r ia l
s ocial
and
fa n c i f u l "
11 I n m a n y w a y s h e r p r o g r a m
c o n s e rv at i v e s y n t h e s i s of
f e m i n i s t i d e as
revo lut i o n"
w i t h po p u la r
(1 83).
b e ca u s e
th e y
e ar l i er
theories
Many o f G i l m a n' s
f o r d o m e st i c r e f o rm w e r e i n d e e d i n f l u e n t i a l ,
1y
but
(183)
w e r e 1 o gi c a 1 a nd
of
ide a s
p ro ba b -
p r ac t i c a l :
jj���D
.§lHi ]:.Q.Q.D.Q !!l i .Q § w a s c o n s i d e r e d a " ' b i b l e ' b y c o l l e g e
w o m e n a t Va s s a r ,
a n d m any
c o u n t r y at t em p t e d t o p u t
w o me n 's
g r o up s a ro u n d th e
so m e o f G i l m an ' s i d e a s i n t o
pract ice .
K e n n a rd ,
Y o ur
Je a n E .
0 wn
"Conv ent ion
L i fe . "
C ov e rage
o r Ho w
N � .lL.!t.! J!_g..r� .rx_.Hj.§J! .Q.r .Y
to
1 3.1
Read
(1981):
69-88 .
YW
U n t i 1 r e c e n t y e a r s " T h e Y e 11 o w W a 11 p a p e r n h a s b e e n
rea d a s a P o e s que h or ro r st o r y o f i n c i p i e n t
n e ss ,
b ut
c o nv e n t i o n s
ch a ng e a c co r d i n g t o
251
ma d­
th e n e e d s
of
the "in t e rp re t i v e co m m u n i t y . "
som e
of
t he
"a s s o c i at iv e
w h i c h re a d e r s
now
ac c e p t
K e n n a r d e xa m i n e s
c l u st e r s"
of
m e a n i ng
c o n ve n t i on s a n d w h i c h
as
m a k e p o s s i b l e a fe m i n i s t re a d i n g o f t h i s st o r y
she
ad dr e s s e s
space ,
and
re a d in g s o f
Kol o d ny ,
c o n c ep t s
que st.
She
the
and
co n j un c t i on
meanings
the
s t o ry
S an d ra
of
p at r i a r c hy ,
m adn e s s ,
di scusses
f em i n i s t
al so
by
E la i n e
G i l b e rt
a nd
Hedge s ,
S u s an
a
text
instead
Anne t te
G ub a r
w i t h h e r o w n a nd a dv o c a t e s
with in
as
in
c r eat ing
of
m e rel y
d i s c ov e r i n g t h e m i n a f i xe d t ex t .
Pe a r so n ,
Caro l .
"Com ing Home :
P a t ri a r c hi al
F o u r F e m i ni s t U to p i a s a n d
E x pe r i e n ce . " f�1Yr�-f� m21�§i__j_�r!�!��1
Ed.
M a rl e en
S.
Barr.
Bow l in g G r e e n S t a t e U P o p u l a r P ,
P e a r s on
e x a m i n es
fr.Q� b � � � '
M a ry B ra d l e y
Gil m a n ' s
H � r 1 �D g ,
s e e mi n g l y
be
d iv er g e n t
explained
w o rk s , "
b y t h e s im i la r
r i e n c e s w o m en s h a r e . "
252
1 98 1 .
Green :
6 3-70.
L a n e ' s M ! z .Q r � _ _ j
D o r o t hY
..K .1 1L..2LA..t .sL.!r� .H g_ i t .i n L .f.Q r_1.QY ,
Ir.Qm_tb�-L���ng_.Qf_�1 �l f o r
B ow l i n g
B ry a n t ' s I n �
a n d M a ry S t a t o n ' s
s i m i l a r i t i e s in " t h e s e
s i m i l ar i t i es
" w h i c h c an
c o n d i t i o n i n g a n d e xp e ­
1 9 82
Bader,
J u l ia.
Jewett ,
YW
"The
Dis sol v ing
F reem an,
and
Gil m an."
Ed.
E ri c
J o hn s H o p k i n s U P ,
1 9 82.
E xa m i ni n g
c ov e r s
f e m al e s
that
d i s s o lv e
a
into
J.
i n l o c al
that
Bal t im o r e :
c o lo r w or k s ,
r e al ,
is
in
A � � r i � � D- ] � � 1 1 � ��
S un d q u i st.
t angi bl e ,
one
R e al i s m
Vi s i o n :
Bader
pl a c e
orde rly
gr o t e s qu e
and
d i s­
can
b l u r re d ,
p r ov i d i n g "a s o m b e r c o m m e n t a r y o n t he
process and
the
s el f - p e r c e p ­
hazards
t i on "
( 1 76).
of
f e m al e
perc e ption
and
Gi l m a n ' s s t or y " c al l s
d e c i p he r a b i l i t y
As
t he p a p e r co n s t a n t l y s h i f t s " i n m e a n i n g an d e v e n
t he
p h y s i c al
gro t e sque
B a r t k o w s ki ,
as
world
the
F r an c e s .
F e m i n i st
( 1 93),
phy s i ca l
qu es t ion
the
in visual d etai l"
of the
into
o rder a nd
g r a d u al l y
n a r ra t o r ' s
world"
readabilit y of
d i s so lv e s
i l l ne s s
and
Ba r tk o w s k i re fers
Fi c t i on . "
to
D is s . U o f
R e ad i n g s i n
Io w a ,
G i l m a n ' s � � r1 ��g
253
beco mes
p r o gr e s s e s.
" T o w a r d A F e m i n i s t E ro s :
Utopian
( 1 9 2).
as
1 982.
a w orld
"i n h e r e n t l y
an d e v e n ,
Sh e
flaw e d ,
p erhap s,
di s cu s s es
m i s - r eco rd e d ,
m is - r e m e m b e r e d ,
c e n so r e d b y t h e n a r r a t o r "
"The
Ye l l o w
Wa l l pap e r "
as
"a
( 1 9 ).
short
i nf a m o u s
f i c t i on a l p i e c e w h os e h e r o i n e un d e r go e s t he
r e s t - c u r e o f S . W e i r M i t c h e l l , n e r v e s p e c ia l i s t i n
t h e e r a o f n e u r a s t h e n i a a n d hY s t e r i a " ( 2 1 - 2 2 ) .
a l s o r e f e r s br i e f l y t o G i l m a n ' s
Q�r l � �� ( 2 8 ) ,
t o ��r l��g
F e hr ,
YW
K i � n _ H& r _ i n
an d t h e r e i s a no th e r b r i e f r e f e re n ce
( 1 00 ) ,
but
o t h e rw i s e t he r e are n o m o r e
r e fe r e n ce s t o G i l m a n ,
there is
n ov e l
S he
and in the
ge n e ra l
c o nc l u s i o n ,
n o o b v io u s a l l u si o n t o G i l m an .
" C h a r l o t t e P e r k i n s G i l m an ' s
A v D r u d e D a ae v on d e r .
' Th e Y el l o w W a l l p a p e r' :
A n s a t s e r T i l e n S e m i ol o gi s k
T e k s t an al y s e . "
( 1982):
39-53.
fa m i l i a r
c o m m e n t s a b ou t th e
I:!!g.a.
1
V o n de r F e h r of f e r s t h e
n a r r a t o r ' s d o m e s t i c r e l at i o n s h i p
w i th h e r hus band
Jo h n a n d h e r si s te r- i n- l aw Je n ni e as she n o t e s th e
wife ' s
i m p r i s o ne d
interest
in
a t t em p t s
to
c o m m u n i ca t e
a rt i c l e ,
t he
e go s
the wa llp ape r
s que l c h
(4 6 ) .
In
von der Fe hr
in
condi t i on
t he
ca s e
he r
the
( 11 4 ) ,
de s i re
an d
as well
to
g ro w i ng
her
a s Jo h n's
write
and
m o s t o r i gi n a l pa r t o f
to
th e
pu z zl e s o v er t he sp l i t ti n g o f
of
254
Us h e r / M a d e l i n e
in Po e' s
�.f�l L 2 L .t. h L.H.Q.Y1HL.QL!! .§ll� .r "
n a r r a t i ng ' s
egos
in
G i l m an ' s
( " i s p a l t n i ng e n a v j e g ' e t ,
"The
(51 ).
Vo n
Yellow
W a l l p a p e r"
U s he r/ M a de l i n e ,
d e t fo r t e l l en d s j e g ;
fo rt a l t e o g
p ap e r")
a n d t h e n a r r a t ed a n d
de r F e hr
og de t
"T h e Y e l l o w
points
o ut
th at
P oe an d Gilman use the word "arabes que" ( 5 1 ) .
aut h o r
al s o
argue s
that P oe
of fe rs
e xp l an at i o n fo r t h e d eg e ne r at i o n o f t he
Gilman
in s i s t s
on
a
so c i al
an d
a
b oth
Th is
biologica l
U s he r s
s e xu a l
W al l­
wh i l e
c a u sa l it y.
T h e t e xt u a l me a n i n g b e c o m e s c l e a r i n b o t h s to r i e s
t h r o u gh a s t u d y o f m e t o n y mi c a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s ( 5 2 ) :
g ra du al
a
r e s em b l a n c e d e v e l o p s b e t w e e n t h e h o us e w in ­
dows and the
o wn e r ' s
m e n t a l c o n di t i o n i n P o e ' s
st o ­
r y ; t h e b e d an d e s p e c i a l l y t h e w a l l p a p e r g ra d u a l l y
c om e
t o r e p r e s e n t t h e w o m an in t h e b e d o b s e r v i n g t h e
w a l l pap e r
in
G i l m an ' s
s t o ry
(5 2 ) .
1 983
Arms,
G eo rge ,
j,.� J!Jt�.r � .
ed.
I n t ro d u c t i o n .
Vo l .
6:
��».Q��l1§�--S�1��t��
1 9 1 2- 1 9 20 .
Bo s t o n :
T w a yne ,
1 9 83 .
A r ms
m e n t ion s
he r p l e a s u re
Gil m a n ' s
t h at
le t t e r to H o w e l l s
Howe l l s
25 5
w a nt e d
to
e x p r es s i n g
p ub l i s h
"T h e
Yellow
W a llpa pe r " a nd
b re a k d o w n un d e r D r .
Gi l m a n to ld
Ho w e l ls
e x p l a in i n g
to
him
her
o wn
W e i r M i t c he l l ' s t r e at m e n t .
s.
she
sent a cop y of
the
s t or y t o
M i t c he l l an d l e a r n e d i n l a t e r y e a r s t h a t i t ca u s e d
M i t c h e l l t o al t e r h i s t re a t m e n t of n e u r a e s th e n i a .
Co m b e l l i c k ,
man,
K a t h e ri n e .
De m i n g a n d H. D . "
B i ng ha m p t o n ,
This
" F e m i n i n e Fo r m s o f C l o su re :
cr i t ic
Gi l­
S t a t e U o f N e w Y o rk ,
Dis s.
1 9 8 3.
di s cu s se s
" t h e p r o b l e m of c l o s ur e"
in
w o m en ' s t e x t s b y u s i ng E l ai n e S h o w a l t e r ' s t h r e e - p a r t
fr a m e w o r k a s a " p a ra d i gm
f o r th e
evo l u t i o n o f wo men
w r i t e r s i n t h e n i n e t e e n t h t o t w e n t i et h c e n t ur i e s :
fe minin e,
i n te rn a l i z e s
m al e
b ut
c o nv en t i o n s ,
c i a l l y a t t h e m o m e n t o f c l o s ur e ,
non - c entrali ty"
"e m e rge s
T h e wom an a u t h o r
f e m i n i s t and fema l e . "
fro m
( 3 ).
G i 1 m an ' s
r a to r in
on
he r.
T h is
wr i t i n g,
t h e i n i t i a l ' fe m in i n e '
h eroi n e ' s
TYW ]
She
i s u n d er cu t b y t h e
is
' r ight '
ti m e" ( 1 0 ) .
A t f ir st ,
val ue s
she
t h at
pe rc e p t i o n
and
espe­
he r pe r s p e c t i ve
a m b i g u o u s i n i t s a l l eg i a n c e t o t h e
t io n s .
" b et r a y s ,
of
howeve r,
s tage ;
it
is
h e r o i ne ' s p e r c e p ­
[ th a t
of
d a m a ge
' w ro n g '
th e
na r­
i t i n fl ic t s
at
the
same
sh e h a s s o i n t e r n a l i z e d m a l e
" p e r c e iv e s
256
hersel f
as
s yn o n y m o u s
w ith
her
spe ak s
r e s p on s i bi l i t y
of
s t r i c t ures
the
h ou s e
it
as
wife
is
a
on h e r o w n l i f e .
•
•
•
.
W h en
d e s c ri p t i on
T h e h o u se
she
of
t he
is orde red
by
a s y s t e m o f r u l e s an d co m p a rt m en t s w h ic h t h e h e ro i ne
f i n d s ' b e a u t i f u l "' ( 4 3 ) .
T h o u gh J o h n r i d i c ul e s h e r
per c ep t i ons ,
his fea r o f t h e m
i n gl y
s t r i c t u r es
t i gh t
He r c ir c u l a r ,
of
d i c t a t e " h i s i n c re a s ­
h er
conf i n e m e n t"
(43).
li m i te d m o v e m e nt s a r ou n d t h e r o o m fo r m
a " gr o ov e " o n t h e w a l l w h i c h b e c o m e s " co m f o r t a b l e "
t o he r
( 50 ) .
i n h ab i t s
the
" A t t h e m o m en t o f c l o su r e ,
p o si t i o n
of
complete
G o t hic
St o r i e s
Ed.
I .b � - f � .m�l �_.OQ j! ,h j .Q .
t r e al
YW
an d Lo n d o n :
he ro i ne
p o we r " ( 5 2 ) .
P ri sm : C h a rl o t t e P e r k i n s
F l e e n or , J u l i a n n . " T h e G ot h ic
Gi l man's
t he
and
A u t o b i o g r aph y . "
He r
Jul iann E.
E den P ,
1 9 83.
M on -
Fl e e no r .
2 2 7 -2 4 1 .
Fl e e n o r o b s e r v e s t h a t t h e t h e m e s o f G i l m a n ' s a u t o ­
b i og r a phy a n d o f
t h r e e of h er sh o r t s t o r i e s ,
Yello w
W al lpap er , "
" T he
C ha i r , "
ar e
th e
wi thin
W i s te ria , "
d o m a in
of
an g e r
at
th e
patria rchal
a m b i v al e nc e a b o u t t h e
"T h e
f e m al e
go t h i c a s i t i s p r o d u c e d b y w o m e n .
press
an d
Al l
t re a tm e n t
rol e o f m o t herh o o d ,
"T h e
R o c k i ng
go t hi c ,
fou r
of
an d
or
e x-
w o m en ,
"a m ­
b i va l e n c e about t he ca p a c i ty of t h e f em al e i m agi-
2 57
nation
as
and
G i l m an ' s
female
cr e a t i v i t y . "
c en t r a l
c o n fl i ct ,
V i ew ing m o therhood
su gg e s t s
F l e eno r
t ha t
she
n ev e r ca m e t o t e r m s w i t h i t a n d w a s " a t o d d s
wi th
he r so c i et y ,
p ri m a r i l y
.
•
w i th
c re at i on " a re s o
as
•
th o s e
•
h ersel f"
of
( 24 1 ) .
" M a te r n i t y a n d
c l o s e l y " i nt e rt w i ne d ,
F re ib ert,
w o m a n i n c o n st a n t
Lucy
"World
M.
W o m e n . " .H .Q !!! � .!L g lHLJ.J!..Q.P .i .a. .
N i c ho l a s
1 983.
D.
Smith.
to r m e n t"
Views
in
•
•
Lanh am ,
•
•
•
Nov el s
M a rl e en
MD:
wo man
•
as
( 24 0 ) .
Utopi an
E ds .
a nd
own sex,
a u t h o r i s d e p i c t e d i n t h e a u t o b i o gr a p h y
a w o un d e d
UP
of
Barr
by
and
America,
67-84.
Freibe rt
B�rl���
L e G u in ,
P i er cy ,
e xa m i n e s
1 9 74 ;
f e min i s t
f o ur
b y Gi l m a n ,
w o rk s - ­
u t o pi an
1 9 1 5 ; In�_ Di��Q§��§�� g b y U r su l a
H 2 m 9 n _ .Q n _ 1 h � - �gz�_ Qf_ � i m � b y M a r g e
and
1976;
M i l l e r G e a r h ar t ,
I h� _ H Q n � � r & r 2 Yn�
by
S al l y
1 9 7 9 - - f o r s h a r e d pr i n c i p l e s a n d " a
p at t e rn wh ich i s e m e r g i ng i n t he
T h is
he r
feminist
ca n o n . "
p a t t e r n i s t h a t o f a n " o r ga n i c i s t r o o t m e t a ph o r
[ wh i c h ]
gr e a s i n g
em bo dies
s ys t e m .
•
•
t he i de a o f a
•
H�r19�g i s
l i vi n g ,
b as e d o n t h e
of m o t he r h o o d , " w h i l e t h e ot he r s a r e
m et ap h o r s
of
anarchy ,
pe rs on h o o d ,
258
pro-
m e t a ph o r
b a s e d o n t he
and
si s t e rho o d
r e s p e c t iv e l y .
These
m e t a p ho rs
of
r ea s o n
an d n a t u r e ,
of
n a t u re
practi ced
r at h e r
by
a d v o c a te
than t he
the
" t he
u ni o n
d o m i n a t i on
cu r r e n t
m al e - o r i e n t e d
c u l t u re . "
Gu b ar ,
S u s a n.
" .SiH � a n d .IL� r. .l a n .si :
Fe m i n i s m a s F a nt a s y . "
�Q2� .si!n����i--i.l��!DB-��l�n��-rl�ti2n_�n�-r� n!��� ­
Ed s.
Ge o r g e E .
S c h ol e s .
Slu s ser ,
C a r b on d a l e :
Eric S.
Rabkin,
S o ut he r n
and R o b e rt
Il l i n o i s
UP,
1983:
1 39 - 1 4 9 .
Fe m i n i s m
rather
as
t h an
t ra ns po s e s
R ider
the
f an t a s y
t he
the
probable
syst em
Ha g ga r d ' s .§ n �
d i al e c t i c
moth er' s
in
one
of
i nto
bet ween
b l e s s i ng
t w o w o rk s ]
i m agines
a
pos s ib le
fo r
s i gn s
w o m en.
u sed
t he
fa t he r ' s
Gu bar
read
to
curse
r e l at i o ns h i p
H.
" trace
a nd
b etw een
t he
[ t he
b e c a u s e �b� ' s p o w e r a n d p o p u l ar i t y t ra n s ­
f o r m e d t h e c o l o n i z e d c o nt i n e n t s i n t o
fem ale
to
G i l m an ' s .H��.l�n.si
the
rea l it y
t h e h e a rt o f
d a r k n e s s t h a t C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s G i l m an w o u l d
r en a m e an d r e c l a i m i n a u t o p i a n f e m i n i s t
Ha g ga r d ' s
r o m an c e "
Gub ar
( 143).
m a n a t t em p t s t o p o r t r a y
a c u lt u re
i t s h a r m o ny w i t h n at u r e .
25 9
r ev i s i o n o f
o b se r v e s
t hat
un l i k e h e r
G il -
own in
H u ck l e ,
P a t ri c i a.
"Wo me n in
U t o p i a s. "
.l'.b.!L]�Q.Pi.g_.ILYi.§i.Q!l.i
��x�n_ E§§��.§_ Qn_�b�_9yin � ��!�nnisl_gf_�ir _Ih2��
MQr� .
S a n D i e go :
Hu c k l e
j u x t a p os e s
and
efforts
to
te r m s
1 9 83 .
( 1 83 6 )
fe mi n i s t s c ie n c e
f i c t i on and
co m-
fo r a s s um pt i on s
p at t e r n s
t o a ch i e v e n e w s o­
No v e l s d i s c u s s e d i n s o m e d e t a i l
I h r � � -Byngr �g -� � g r§_ � � ng �
G i 1 m a n ' s �� rlg n.Q ;
J cann a
a nd
ma n y o t he r s a r e
m ent i o n e d .
com muni tie s d i s cussed are the
ke r s ,
prac-
R u s s 's
1..h�- l�=
a n d M a r g e P i e r c y ' s H Q m s n _ Q n_!g�-�gE�_ Qf
m � l � _ M gD
11� � .
and
s p e c i a l i z at i o n ,
o f s e x ro le
Gr i ffi t h ' s
an d
novel s
w i th
c i a l s t r u c t u r e s. "
M a ry
u t o p i an
c o m m u ni t i e s
of r e l a t i o nsh i p s , a nd a t te m p t s
are
1 1 5- 1 3 6 .
ut o p i a n
" E a c h i s e x a mi n e d
t ice s in
UP,
n i n e t e en t h - c e n t u r y
establ ish
t w e n t i e t h - c e n t u ry
m un e s ;
s a n D i e go
t he Ow enit e s,
Ca l i f o rn i a , N a s h o b a i n M e m p h i s ,
i n C a l i fo rn i a
and
"The
ot he r s .
f ew
Ra ppi tes ,
in
Comm unia
A
Io w a ,
Te n n e s s e e ,
fe m i n i s t
of t h e
th e S h a-
Kaw eah
in
L o rn a - L a n d
vi s i ons
of
t h e f ut u r e are g r o u n d e d in c o n t e m p o r a r y va l u e s a nd
m o re s ,
n ov e l s ,
and
therefore ,
crit i c ism
m et h od s
p o s it
t h an
for
n ew
an d
a re
t he y
options.
m o r e success ful
are
a c h i e v in g
w o nd r o u s
at
cl ar i fyi n g
ut o p i a "
2 60
( 1 2 5 ).
at
The
soci al
p ra c t i c a l
"L o o k i n g B a c k w a r d :
Keys e r , El iza b e t h.
YMll� Y � r ' s
( 1983):
Ke y s e r
�I'S.Y� l � .
F r o m H � I' 1 S. .IH! t o
�tMgl�§_ i n_Am�I'l£S. D_Ii£��Qn
2. 1
3 1 -4 6.
d ra w s
paral l el s
e sp e c ia l l y
the
po s t u l a t e s
that
be t we en
V o y a ge ,
Fou r th
"G i l m a n
.G.Yll i Y� r ' s _.II' s Y�].§ ,
a nd
u se s
Sw ift 's
t h e Yah o o in hu m a n n a t u r e ,
and ,
sat ire
on
he r a t t a c k o n
hu m an p r ide in gene ral as a mod el f o r
mal e pr i d e in p a r t i c ul a r , o f f e r s an
S he
..B� r 1 � n.Q .
e x p l a n at i o n f o r
fi nal l y ,
s ugge s t s
h o w t h e Y a h o o c a n b e e r a d i c a t e d , " u n l ik e S w i f t w h o
of f e r e d
M il l e r ,
n o r e co urse .
M a r ga r e t .
"T h e
Ideal
Sc i e n c e F i c t i on U t o p i a s . "
10
( Ju l y
Mil l e r
(1915)
in
Two
Fe m i n i s t
� � i � n £ � - I � £ t � g n_ � � � g � � �
1 9 1 - 1 9 8.
1983):
compares
with
Wo m a n
Suzy
a nd
con trast s
M cK e e
C h a rn a s '
G i l m a n' s
H �.!'.lE.!! .Q
Mg�h �£1lD��
( 1 978)
t o s e e w h a t e a c h w r i t e r b e l i ev e d t h e f e m a l e p o t e n ­
ti al t o b e u n d e r d if fe r e n t and i n
so m e w ay s s u p e ­
r i o r c on di t i o n s to
see
o ur
ow n an d t o
f e m i n i s t a s su m p t i o n s ab o u t t h e n a t u re
c h anged
t hes e
d ur in g
two
th e
i n t e rv al
wo rks.
26 1
b et w e en
if and
how
o f w o m an h a v e
p u b l i c a ti o n
of
P o i rie r ,
S u z a n ne .
"T he W e ir
Pat ient s. "
a nd
YW
In d es cr i b i ng
( 1 9 83 ) :
n um b e r
Ho we l l s '
cau s e s
M i t c h e l l ' s c ur e at
incl ud e d
d a u g ht e r
w hile
J a ne
und e rgoing
l a te r
by
m ind
we re
m e a nt h e a l i n g
so
w ri t e s :
w ith
m in d.
d o ct o r
is
m ind ,
that
org anic
b e i n g f o rc e ­
who
was
e sp o u s e d
heal ing the
From h is
body
re co r d s ab o u t a
cra wl b e f o r e l e arning t o
bedrest
Ed ith
( an d
who
Wharton ) ,
e v id e n c e
Mi tc hel l
fo l l o w i n g n at u r e ' s l e s s o n s
"Y o u s e e t h at ,
docile
and
of
W i l l ia m
V i rg i n i a W o o l f , w h o
conne cted
m uch
suggest s
G il m an ,
( who d i e d
t reat m e nt
w o m an w ho w a s t a u g h t t o
st rongly
Poi r i er
M i t chel l b e l i e ve d t hat bo d y
the
w a l k a g a i n a ft e r
l engt h,
Ad da m s ,
ano t he r
M i tc hel l ' s theori e s .
and
D o c to r
so m e fa m ou s p a t i e n t s
W i ni fre d
fe d ) , E d i t h W h a r t o n , a n d
t re a t ed
C u re :
1 5-40 .
t el l s o f t he e x p eri enc es of
w hose
R es t
H .Q .!P��-�Jlyg_j,�§.L-A.ILl.ni�.rg.i.§.Q.iQ..J,j=
1 0. 1
.ll S: l'.Y_J.Q.lll'.Dg l
Mi t c h e l l
we
have
tr eated
t h e w o m an
as
n a t u r e t r e a t s a n i n f a n t " ( ,l. � .Q i .Y l' � 12 - .Q !LJ2.i § � s § � £L .Q f
!E � -�� r Y.Q.Y§-�.Y§ i � .m
47;
P o i ri e r
Poirie r dis cusse s "ha d to
t he m s e l v e s ,
of t en
in
fi g u r e s a r o u n d t h e m "
re d e fine
d e f i an c e
( 35 ) .
262
3 2).
of
The
wom en
t h e m s e lv e s to
all
au t h o r i ty
19 84
Fr y e r , J u d i t h .
sire."
" W o m e n a n d S p ac e :
i rQ § � � £ t §i__ An_!n n Y � l _ J Q �r D g l _ Q!_ A m � r�£�D
9
.Q�lt.llr�l _f?��.d.!J�§
f e m al e
1 87 - 2 3 0 .
( 1 9 84 ) :
I n h e r ex pl o r a t i on o f
the
T he Fl o w e r in g o f D e ­
t h e " r el a t i o ns h i p o f s p a c e t o
i m � & i Dg!jQ n , " F r y e r n o t e s t h a t
spheres
of
and s e p a r a t e s p he re s , t h e
b u sin e s s
and
i n d us t r y ,
t he
s p h e r e s o f c u l t u r e a n d t he i r ho m e s .
s on ' s
studies
s h o wi n g t ha t
t io n e d n o t to
in
their
model
re l at i on sh i p ,
i m agi n a t i o n ? "
h o u s e s, "
•
she
i n A m e r ic a ,
.
•
t heo ri e s
1900,
of
in
b u t t o s t ay f i l e d
asks.
" w h a t j§
o f s pa c e s t o
t he
t he
fe m a l e
S h e c o n clu de s t h a t w o m e n n e e d bo t h
f r e e l y so
c a n b e d i a le c t i c a l i n t e r a c t i o n be t w e e n
tw o.
t he
wom en
b e e n co nd i ­
p r i v at e an d p ub l i c s p a c e i n w h i c h t o m o v e
that t h e re
men in
C i ti ng E r i k-
" wo m en h ave
m o v e in s p a c e
t he
men and wome n moved
t u r n o f t he c e n t u r y i n A m e r i c a ,
i n t w o d i st i n c t
at
In
of
an
hom e
o v er v i e w
b uild i n g
in
o f
the
America
h i st ory
from
of
abo ut
s h e d e a l s w i t h Gi l m a n ' s p r o g r e s s i v e t h e o r ie s
t h e fa m i l y
and ki t c henle ss
26 3
h o m e s a nd t h e i r p o s -
si b il i t i e s a s f re ei n g i n f l u e n c e s on t h e w o m e n d e p i c ­
ted
i n �Qm��-�D�-����gm l�§ .
]���-»1�����-�lg ,
a wom an,
per,"
H�rl�n� .
and
a s w e l l a s t h e n e ga t i v e e f f e c t s o n
s u c h a s t h e n a r r a t o r o f " T h e Y e l l o w W al l p a ­
w ho
mus t
e n t ra p , " t h a t d o
K r ieg,
�b�-H��� .
Jo A n n P .
not
in
"s pac es
"free
" C har l o t te
m an C o n ne c t i o n . "
( 1 984 ) :
l i ve
t he
that
en clo se
and
i m ag in a t i on . " "
P e rk i n s G i l m a n a n d T h e
Whit-
��1�- ��i� m��-��r��rlx_ ]�Yi§�
1 .4
2 1 -25.
K r i e g t r a c e s t h e " c h a i n o f e ve n t s ,
pe opl e ,
a n d i de a s
t h a t l e d t o C ha r l o t t e P e rk i ns Gi l m an ' s p a r t i c i p at i o n
in
t h e l a st
i n 1 9 1 9 . 11
m e e t in g o f
t h e W a l t W h i t m a n F e l l o w sh i p
Ho r a c e T ra u be l
w a s t he
ke y
fi gu r e
r e s p on ­
s ib l e .
P a ye rl e ,
M a r ga r e t
J an e .
" A L i t t l e L i ke
Outlaws :
M e t a p h o ri c a l U s e o f R e s t r i c t e d S p a c e i n t h e
W o rk s o f
C e rt a in A me ri c an W om e n R e a l i s t i c W r i t e r s. "
C a s e W e s t e rn
YW
P ay e r l e
R e s e r ve U ,
fo c u se s
he r
T he
Dis s.
1 9 84.
d i s se rt a t i o n
on
"the
pr e oc cupa­
t io n w i t h ph ysi ca l envir onm ent ,
s p e c i fi c m at e r i a l
ob j e ct s ,
the
and
pe r s o n a l
space
in
A m e ri c an w o m e n r e al i s t w r i t e r s :
w o rk s
of
f i ve
M a r y W i l k i ns F r e e ­
m a n , E d i t h W h a r t o n , K a t e C h o p i n , C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s
2 64
Gil m an,
a n d Su s a n G l a s p e l l .
" ' D i f f e r e nt
tled
T he
K i n d s o f t he
fi ft h c h ap t e r e n t i -
Sa m e
a n d So l id a r i t y a s Es c a p es f rom
T hing' :
Madness
Re st r ic ti on in the
W o rk s o f C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s G i l m a n a n d S u s an G l a s ­
pell"
t r e a t s G i l m a n' s
"T h e
Yellow
Wal lpaper"
and
G la s p e l l' s "A J ur y o f He r P e e r s" a s " ne w d ir e c t i o ns
for
w o m en
who
c o n fi ne m e n t
T re ic h l e r ,
and
in
P au l a A .
D iscourse
ne e d
to
e s c ape
the i r l iv e s "
the
lon el iness
( 1 48).
" E s ca p i n g t h e S e nt e n c e :
in
'T h e
and
Yell o w
D i agn o s i s
Wallpaper. ' "
1 �1 .§R
� !.ll ..Q..i �.§ i.P .H ..Q !P � ll�- 1.1-t�.rg ! .Yr� 3 ( 1 9 8 4 ) : 6 1 - 7 7 . r p t .
E�m.iD.i.§.t_l�§.l1�§_1D_1.i.t� r g r�-� ��� ],g r § bi � . E d .
B e n s t o c k.
YW
B l o o m in g t o n :
T re i c hl e r p er c e i v e s
"an c e s t ra l "
a r y"
per
wo m en ' s
as
I n d i a na
the
pa tr i a r c h a l
sto ry a s
1 987.
a
between
l a n gu a g e a n d a n e w
" vi s i o n -
i n t e rp r e t s t h e
w o m e n' s w r i t in g a n d
on ly
after
w om e n
speak. "
T he n a r r at o r ,
h u s ba n d ,
r e c ei ve s
tion,
o bt a in
the
t h a t b e c o me s
r igh t
t he
to
d i a gn o s e d b y t h e p h y s i c i an ­
a "s e n t e n c e "
d e privat io n ,
w a l l p a-
t h e w o m a n w i t h in
p a p e r a s " a r e p re s e n t at i o n o f w o m e n
p o s si b l e
6 2-78.
c la s h
She
d i s c ou r s e .
UP,
S ha r i
t h a t in c l u de s " is o l a ­
a n d a l i en a t i o n f r o m
o w n se n t en c in g p o s si b i l it i e s . "
2 65
•
.
•
[ h er ]
F o r h e r an d a l l w o m e n
to
"es cape
the
s e n te n c e "
pa t r i a r c h a l r e p r es e n t a t i ve s
p a s s o n t h e m " i n v o l v e s b o t h l i n g u i s t i c i n no v a t i o n
and
ch a n g e
in
material
c o n d i t i o ns
of
o f t h e ways
T r e i c h l e r p r e s e n t s a g o o d e xp l a n a t i o n
in
w hi c h
l a ngu a ge
re flec t s
one ' s
s p e ak i n g. "
con c e p t
of
r ea l i ty.
1 9 85
B e rman,
J e f fr e y.
Gilman
"T he U n r e s t f u l C u r e :
C h ar l o t t e P e rk i n s
..l'.b�_ .I ,gl .k.!.IH�
a n d ' T h e Y e l l o w W al l p ap e r . ' "
��r ��- - L.! � � r,gr� R � �£ � §��t��J g ��_gf_i�x�!!Qs�,glx§J§ .
N e w Yo rk :
YW
Be r m an
N e w Yo rk U P ,
o f fe r s
an
in t e n s i ve ,
p s yc ho anal y t ica l
narrat o r
re a di n g
wh ich
p s yc ho t h e r a p y "
he
3 3 -59.
both G i l m an
In the
d i s c u ss e s
(26) ,
c o m pr e h e n s i ve
co n c i s e ,
of
o f h e r s ho r t st o r y .
t h e b o o k in
of
1 9 85 .
the
i n t ro d u c t i o n t o
" f i c t i on al
noting
and
t hat
a cc oun ts
Gi l man
and
B e r t h a P a p p e n h e i m , B r e u e r ' s p a t i e n t w ho m h e c a l l s
Anna 0 . i n t h e l it e r a t ur e ,
w e re c o n t e m p o ra r ie s , h e
d ra w s p a r a l l e l s b et w e e n t h e i r l i ve s ,
Gi l m an' s
"T h e
Y el lo w
W a l l pa p e r"
a c c ou n t o f t h e " o p p re s si v e s o c i a l ,
s e xu a l
fo r c e s r e s p o n s i b le
c o m me nt in g t h a t
is
a
s u c c e s s fu l
pol i t ic al ,
an d
fo r t h e h e r o i n e ' s f a t al
e n t r a p m e n t i n h e r V i c t o r i a n a nc e s t r a l h o us e " ( 2 6 ) ,
26 6
B r e u e r ' s " F r a u l e i n A n n a 0 . " f a i l s fo r l a c k
W he r ea s
o f t h e t y p e o f " r e s t r ai n t an d c l i n i c a l d e t a c h m en t "
w h ich
G i l m an
t o G i lm an ,
ac hieve s.
( 26 ) .
h e p r a i s e s he r
I n th e
i n si g ht
c h a p t e r d e vo t e d
in t o h e r - - a n d h er
n a r r a t o r ' s - - ch i l dh o o d
e x p e r i e n c e s a s th e s o u r c e o f
her
i n st i nc t ual
illne ss
an d
" p s y ch o l o gi c a l
her
know l e dge
i l l n e s s w o r s e n s w h e n it
is
t h at
not ac ­
kno w l e d ge d a s re al an d t h at t h e r e s t c u re i s a n t i­
t h et i c a l
p e ut i c
For d ,
v a l ue
Ka r en .
an d
b o th
th e
t a l k i n g cur e
o f a rt i st i c
W o m en ' s Di s c o ur s e . "
For d
a r t icl e ,
Di scourse
in
is
the
calling
d i s c o ur se "
"t he
i nt o
the
ba s i c
'T h e
(309 ).
tenets
of
A rgui n g
of
the
T re i c hl e r' s
D i a gn o s i s
W al l p a p e r ' "
( 19 84 ),
na r ra t o r ' s m e n t al b r ea k ­
eve ry
i m ag e
of
S e n t e nc e :
Ye l l ow
q u e s t io n
s i gn i f i c an c e
(310),
' The Y el lo w W a l l p a p e r'
" E s ca p i n g t h e
p o t en t ia l l y
" p r o b l e m a t i z es
(56 ).
..l'.Yl§.SL �..t ..J.!.g.i � �- .i .D_ .H.Q !!L� �.§
a n d h e r a s s um pt i o n th a t t h e
dow n
t h e t h e ra ­
3 o9 - 3 1 4 .
< 1 9 85 > :
b eg i ns w i t h
s e m in a l
and
4
an d t o
c re a t i on "
"N o t e s a n d Q u e r i e s :
Li.l!�.r�t.Yr�
YW
to
wo m an ' s
th e
the
th a t
p ro b l e m ;
w a l l pa p e r,
notion
of
T r e i c h le r
w al l p a p e r
too
s he
t h e re b y
w o m en ' s
h as
f i xed
r i g i d l y"
F o r d a s k s s ev e r a l i m p o r t a n t q u e s t i o n s a b o u t
267
s uch a s " i f t h e w a l l p a pe r
T r e i ch l e r ' s c o n cl u si o n s ,
s t a n d s fo r a n ew
v i s i o n o f w o m en ,
t o r t e a r i n g i t do w n? "
i n he r o w n
the n a r ra-
Ford t h e n f l o unde rs
(310).
in t e r p r e t at i o n :
why is
"I am
in t e r e s t e d i n t h e
n o t i o n t h a t th e wa l l p a p e r re p r es e n t s w o m e n ' s di s ­
c o u rs e t o t h e e x t e n t t h at t h e w a l l p a p e r i s i m p o s ­
si b l e t o de f in e "
I t is diffic ult , h o w ever,
(31 1 ) .
to take a critic
seri ously
t h e c h a r a c t e r s in
th e
w h en
s h e d o e s no t g e t
F o r d i s l a m e n­
s t o r y s t r a ig h t .
t ab l y a m i s s i n c a l l i n g M a ry t h e s i s t e r - i n - l a w b e c au s e J e n n i e i s
n u rs e .
by
th e
a d d i t i on ,
In
equ ating
w a l lpa p e r
wit h
Fo r d
p e r ha p s
n arra t o r ' s
the
"a
an d
s i s t e r - i n - la w ,
retreat
c on f o un d s
tea ring
f ro m
M a ry i s
re a d e rs
a w ay
d i s c o ur s e
th e
of
the
preci sely
b ec a u s e 1 a n gu a g e i s m a 1e - c o n t r o 1 1 e d " ( 3 1 2 )
•
T ru e ,
t he l a ngua ge o f Gi l m an ' s ti m e w a s m al e - do m in a t e d ,
b ut
Gilm an' s
guage w a s not
Hil l ,
Mary A . ,
�t��§�D ·
YW
ow n
t h o u gh t s
of f e r pr o o f
th a t t h e
la n ­
e x a c t ly " m al e - c o n t r o l l e d . "
e d . ED�Yr��
Ib� Q!�r!�§ Q X �h �rl�§ Hg l!�r
P h i l a d e l p h ia :
T em p l e
UP,
1 985.
S e l e c t e d d i a r y e n t r i e s f r o m A ugu s t 1 8 8 3 th r ou gh J u n e
1 8 88
sh o w
W a lt e r ,
a wel l- mea ning m an
C ha r l o t t e ' s
who
268
l ov e d
f i r s t h us b an d ,
to
be
Charl o t t e b ut w h o
w a nt e d a t r a di t i o n a l w i f e . L i k e J o h n ,
"T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p er , " h e t h ou g h t
b e st for he r,
s he ,
and a s
th e hus band i n
h e k ne w
what w a s
s h e ac qu i e s c ed t o h i s w i s h e s
l ik e t h e nar rat o r i n h e r
s t o ry ,
came near to
l o s i n g h e r m in d .
A p r ed u c t o f
his age,
h e as crib e d
m o re
to
than
did
i m p o rt a n c e
his
w o rk
he
to
his
wife ' s .
Le n a r c i c ,
F ay e M a r t i ne .
W om an
"T h e E m e rg e n c e o f t h e P a s s i o n at e
i n A m e r i c an
S y ra c u se
U,
L e n a rc i c ' s
L i t e r at u r e ,
1 850-1 920."
D i s s.
1985.
d i s c u s s i o n o f H � .r.J:.� .n ..Q i s m o s t l y a n i n ­
t e r p r e t a t iv e
r e t e l l ing o f
t h e n ov e l .
t h at p e rha p s " b eca u s e F r e e m an,
She
s p ecul a�e s
Jewe t t , Phel ps, a nd
G i l m an w e r e t h e m s e l v e s v i c t i m s o f h o s t i l it y , t h e y
w e r e abl e
to c re a t e
i n t h e i r fi c t i o n m e m o r a b l e
t ra i t s o f the N ew W o ma n i n confl ict
p o r­
w i t h s o c i e t y"
( 267 ) .
Neel y,
C a r o l T ho m as.
" Al t e r n a t i v e W o m e n ' s D i s c o ur s e . "
1Y1�� S!yg � � �-1n_ H Q � � .n��- 1 11�.r�1 Y r � 4
( 19 85 ) :
3 1 5-
322 .
YW
In t h i s a r t i c l e N e e l y a d d r e s s e s s o m e of t h e i s s u e s
P a u l a A. T r e ic h l e r r a i s e s i n h e r 1 9 8 4 a r ti c l e , " E s ca p i n g t h e Se n t e n ce :
D i agn o s i s
269
and
Di s co u r s e
in
' T h e Y e l l o w W a l lp a pe r . ' "
T r e i c hl e r
to
that
t h at
it
" p a t r ia r c h a l
disc ourse
is
o pp r e s s i v e
s h e do u b t s t h a t w o m e n ' s d i s c o u r s e c a n
w o men, "
re p la c e
Al t ho ugh s h e agr e e s w i t h
S he
(315).
also agrees
wi t h Tre ic h l e r
t h e " l e ve l o f c o n t e xt " i s t h e i m po r t a nt
d i f fe r­
e n c e b e t w e e n m al e an d f e m al e la n gu a g e :
•
•
a t te m p ts to con te x t u a l i z e
.
l angua ge t en d
t o e m b e d i t s o d e ep l y i n i n st i t u t i o n a l
co n t e x t s
t h a t di s c u s si o n s h i ft s f r o m l an gu a g e t o d i s co u r s e
to
w i d e r s o c ia l
l i ar
Not i ng
t o l angu a g e u sa g e g e t
that
to
the
wal l p ap e r " i s
(31 5)
e m b l e m at i c
of
the
Ne e l y r e m a rk s t h at t h e p a t i e nt " i s s u p p o s e d
c h an g e
a n y t h in g
herse lf
e lse--not
b ut
the
is
d i s c o u rs e sen t e n c e s
but
t hat
not
a l l o we d
w a l lpap er ,
h o us e , t h e m a r r i age " ( 3 1 6 ) .
n e s s "'
l o s t.
pe cu-
r e st r i c t i v e in s ti tu t i o n s o f p a t r i ar c h Y "
aging and
(31 6),
i s s u e s s o t h a t p ro b l e m s
t he
to
change
r oo m ,
the
N e e l y f e e l s that m al e
" w o m e n to a perp et u a l ' o the r­
wo m e n ' s
270
d i s co ur s e
m ay
be
" e ve n
c i r c u m s c r i b ed
m o re
p at r ia r c h y
and
all o ws "
less
( 3 1 9 ).
u s e fu l
than
tha t
F u r t h e r m o re ,
which
" wo m en ' s
d i s c o ur s e r e m a i n s s o i n t e r t w i n e d w i t h p a t r i a r ch a l
t ri e s
d i s c o ur s e i t
to
be
s ur e
w a l l p a p e r can
is
d i f fi c u l t
dis c our s e is
th e r e "
t h e d e s t r u c t i o n o f t he
bo th v i c to r y a n d d e f e a t .
..Q.Q.§:..r.l.9.t .t !L .f� .r .Kl,. .D §_ ..O.! l .m .§: .D .
B os t on :
G i l m an ' s
comple t e
..
b i o gr a p h y
di s cusses
c h r o n o l o g i c a l l y an d t h e m a t i c a l l y .
du ri n g t hat
p rov i de s
a
h i s to r i c a l
Eac h period
i s d i s c u s s e d a l o n g w i t h t h e w o rk s he
of he r l i fe
did
it
1 985.
l i t e ra r y
w o rk s
vi e w e d a s
be
S c ha r nh o r s t , G a ry.
T wayn e ,
t h at
a f e mal e- c en t e r ed
In Ne e l y' s opi n i on,
(321 ).
This
t o d i s p l a ce
perio d.
sy n o p s i s
Th i s e x c e l l e n t
of
b a c k g ro un d s ,
mo st
an d
of
he r
s o ur c e
w o rk s ,
book
the i r
crit ical
S c ha r n ho r st ' s
a c um e n .
- - - ·
" Maki ng He r F am e :
Charlo tte
P erkin s
C a l i fo r n i a . " �.§:lif.Q�i�_Hi§t�ry .
1 9 2- 20 1 ,
(Summer
G i l man
in
1 985) :
242-243 .
Sc h a r n h o r st pr o v i d e s a h i s t o r y o f G i l m a n ' s w o r k i n
the
N at i on a li st
s o c i o l o gi c a l
m o v em en t
t h e o r ie s a n d
l i fe .
27 1
a nd
i ts
w ork
e ffect s
on
t h r o u gh o u t
her
her
S hu m a k e r ,
C o n ra d .
Ch a r l o t t e
" ' T o o T e r ri b l y G o o d t o
Gil m an ' s
YW
W a l l p a p e r. ' "
' Th e Y e l l o w
( 1 9 85 ) :
b e P ri n t e d • :
A m�.r .!=
5 88-599.
"G i l m a n e x p l o r e s a q u e s t i o n t h a t w a s - - a n d i n
m an y
w ay s s t i l l
i s - - c en t ra l b o t h t o A m e r i c a n l i t e r a t u re
and
plac e
to
the
women
of
in
American
W h a t h a p p e n s t o t h e i m ag in a t i o n
as
f e m in i n e
( and
thus
w e ak )
cul t ur e :
w h en i t ' s d e fi n e d
and
h as
to
fac e
a
s o c i et y t hat v a l u e s t h e u se fu l a n d t h e p r a c ti c a l a n d
r e j e c t s ev e r y t h i n g e l s e as n on s e n s e ?
confl i c t
an d
rel at e d
n a t ur a l l y a n d
s to r y
b e c ause
fear
o f t he
the
(590 ).
Sc h u m ak e r di s c u s s e s
t r us t
in
logic
h a nd l i n g
a lo n e
im a gin a t i o n b a s b e e n
a s si g n ed
gende r
ro l e s "
an d
of
his
i nst i­
(592).
w i fe ' s w r i t i n g i m p u l s e s a s f e m i n i ne
Jo h n t h i n k s be c o n t ro l s h is
t h i s e x p e r i en c e
of
h i s i m a gi n a t i o n w o u l d b e a s i gn o f
th r o u gh
B y d e fi n i n g hi s
t em p e ra m e n t,
ac t i on
s k i l l f ul
"f e a r o f t h e
tutiona l i z e d
the
both arise
a ut h o r ' s
mal e ' s
th a t t o use
w ea k n e s s :
m e s s a ge
e ffectivel y o u t o f
t h e n a r r a t i v e vo i c e "
t h e A m e r i ca n
fem i ni st
Sec o nd , t hi s
in
of a ss o c iat i o n s ,
e xp l a i n s h o w t h e
t he i r
l iv e s .
fo r e sh a d o w i n g ,
In
an d
hi s
wi fe and
d i s cu s s i on
hu mo r ,
S h um ak e r
p a tt e r n o f t h e n a r r a t iv e p r o v i d e s
272
bo th
a s s o c ia t i o n
an d
f o r e s h a d o w i n g.
i n t h e pa s sa g e a bo u t J e n n i e
e n th u s i a s t i c h o u se k e e p e r
the st airs ! " ) ,
na r r a t o r ' s
t ing a
p revio us
w i n do w ,
•
•
The r e' s si s t e r on
•
c ol la p se"
by
passage
wit h
d is p la y e d in
t h e b a r re d
imp l i ci t el y
a
the
"I n a se ns e ,
a t t em p t ing to
sions
or
c r e e p i n g"
t he
b e c a u se
he
s o m e l ev e l
one
(597).
i m ages :
t h e w o m an
s h e b as di s c ov e r ed ,
t o J ohn , t h e w i fe
who
s p en d s
all
her
ti m e
"too
t e rr i b ly
u n de r st o o d
w h at
t he
( an d
so
s to r y
go o d
di d
was
to
o th e r
abo ut :
be
p ri n t e d "
r ea d e r s )
"it
T r ei c h le r ,
wo rl d
P au l a A.
a n d w o m en ' s p l a c e i n i t "
of
(598).
" T h e W a l l B e h in d t h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r :
R e s p o n s e t o C ar o l N e e l y
an d K a r e n Fo r d . "
.i�.§_i.!l _ .H.Q.m.Sl.ll.!§_.Li.t�.r�!�r�
YW
on
st r u ck
t o o d e e p l y a n d e f f e c t i v e l y a t t r a d i t i o n a l w a ys
s e eing t he
the
S h um ak e r a ve r s t h a t Ho w e l l s a gr e e d
( 59 8 ) .
was
c o n t ra s­
c r e a t e- - t h e w o m a n w i th o ut i l l u ­
i m a g i n at i o n
s to ry
later
cent ral
b i t b y b i t , an d f i n a l l y r e v e a l e d
is
d e v e l op s t h e
p a t t e r n o n t h e p a p er ,
b e hi n d th e pap e r.
he
e xa m p l e ,
( "S h e i s a pe rfe c t a n d
h e s h o w s "h o w G i l m a n
m e n t al
D a rk h u m o r i s
•
For
4
( 1 9 85 ) :
lY1 � �-��yg =
323-330.
I n r e s p o n d i n g t o N e e l y ' s an d F o r d ' s a s s e s s m e n t s o f
h e r ea rl ie r es s a y ,
" E s ca p in g th e S e n t e n c e :
273
D is cou r s e
a n d D ia gn o s i s
i n ' T he Y e l l o w
W a l l p a p e r , ' " T r ei c h l e r
a d d r e s s e s t h r e e i s s u e s p e r t in e n t t o " l a n g u a g e
an d
" ( 1 ) p r o b le m a t i c a s ­
f e m i n i s t l i t e r ary an a l y s i s " :
p e c t s o f t h e t e r m ' w o m en ' s d i s c o u r s e ' ; ( 2 ) p ro b l e m s
w i t h t h e n o t i on o f a n ' a l t e r n a t i v e d i s c o ur s e ' ; a n d
( 3 ) t he d i f f i c u l t y o f i n t e r p r e t i n g t he m et a p h o r o f
th e
wal l p a pe r"
yel low
d e f i ni ti o n s o f t he
term
Sh e
( 3 23 ) .
cites
" wo m en ' s d i s c o u r s e , " a dd r e s ­
se s t h e i s s u e o f d i s c o u r s e i n g e n e ra l ,
t hat
p a tr ia r c ha l
s e ve ral
d i s c o urs e
and
a n d c o n c l u de s
w o m en ' s
discourse
i n h a b i t th e s a m e " t e r r a i n " a t t h e s a m e t i m e ; t hu s ,
w o m en ' s
dis course
canno t
be
c on s i d e re d
an
actual
" T h e t w o d i s c o u r s e s do n o t
a l t e r n at i v e di s c o u r s e .
s t a n d a p a r t f r o m e a c h ot h e r a s t w o s e p a r a t e a l t e r n a tives"
" do e s
(325 ) .
not
"T h e
p re s e n t
Ye l l o w
two
cl e ar
Wa l lp a p e r , "
t h e r efo r e ,
al t e r n a t i v e
d i s c o ur s e s
b u t r a t h e r sh o w s i n g r a p h i c an d c l a u s t ro p h o b i c d e ­
tail
ho w
the
sa me
i n h ab i t e d "
d i ffe r en t l y
t e r ra in - - l a n gu a g e - - m ay
(327) .
P a t r i a r ch a l
be
d i s c o u r se
i n t h e f o r m o f " th e m e d i c a l d i a gn o s i s an d i t s re p r e ­
sent ation
of
w o m e n"
co e xi s t s
wi t h
the
nar ra t o r ' s
a t t e m p t s " t o p r o d u c e a c o u n t e r - d i a gn o s i s " i n t h i s
story ( 3 27 ) .
274
1986
Bassuk,
"T h e
El le n L.
tion
of
R es t
V i c t o r i an
Cure:
W o m en ' s
R e p e t i t i on
Conf l i c t s ?"
.l' ..b�- .f �=
Ed .
Ru b i n
JP .a.l�L_B.Q_g_y_ j. J.l_ .W� �� � _r _g _..QJ.ll .!i.!.l.r� .
S u l e i m an .
YW
C a m b r i d ge :
o r R e s ol u -
H a r va r d
UP ,
I n t h i s w e l l - r e s e a r ch e d a r t i c l e ,
S u san
1 9 86.
1 39 - 1 5 1 .
B a s s u k de s cr i b e s
"t he p h y s i c a l a n d p s yc h o l o g i c a l a s p e c t s " o f
s.
W e ir
"e x p l o r e s t h e m e di c a l ra t i o ­
M i t ch e l l ' s r e s t c u r e ,
n a l e " fo r t h i s t r e at m e n t ,
an d d i s c u s s e s " t he s y m b o l ­
ic
n e rv o u s
m e an i n gs
of
Victorian
st ate
an d
hou seh ol d
e qu i pp e d
u al
th us
women
to
to
a vo i d
Sh e
so m et i m e s
w hich
p e r c ei ves
b e e n a t r a n s fe r e n c e c u r e ,
patient
de v e l o p e d an
that
i d e al i z i n g
e a r l i e r u n r e s o lv e d p re - o e d i p a l
ship.
an
in f a n t i l e
ov e r w h el m i ng
th ey
w e re
r e a c t i v at e d
i n t he
this
m ay
not
s e x­
h av e
t r a n s fe r en c e i m p l y i n g t h at
t r a ns fe r en c e t o t h e t h e r a p i st . "
we re
to
m an a g e w h i l e a l s o r e p re s s i n g t he i r
c o nf l i c t s.
"the
re gr es s
r es p onsi bi l it i e s
to
symp t o m s and the
S h e s pe c u l at e s t h a t t h e c u r e a l lo w e d
c ure" ( 1 40 ) .
som e
bo t h the
or n a r c i s s i s t i c
At t h e s a m e t i m e ,
an d o e d i p a l c o nf l i c t s
p hy s i c i a n - p a t i e n t
r e lat i on­
T ra n s f e re n ce , t h e n , " b ec o m e s t h e v e hi c l e o f
c ha n ge " ( 1 4 8 ) .
Ha v i n g e li c i t e d hi s p a t i en t ' s e m o -
275
t i on a l l o ya l t y ,
M i t ch e l l
r el i e d
on s u gg e s t i o n t o
e f f e c t c ha n g e b y c on vi n c i n g h e r " t o
s el f - c o n t r o l
and
to
a ba n d o n
he r
e xe r c i s e
s y mp to m s"
more
( 1�9),
w ith out e xplo r i n g t h e c on fl i ct s u n de r l y i n g t h e sym p ­
t o ms .
F et t e r l ey ,
He r
J u di th.
Peers, •
'Th e
'T h e Y e l l o w
El i z ab e t h
Murde r s
in
Wal l p a pe r . '"
A.
Ba l t i m o r e :
YW
" R e ad i n g A b o u t R e a d i n g :
F l yn n
an d
t he
Rue
Mo rgue , •
and
..O.§..n..Q§..r_� ..n..!L]��_g_!J}._g .
Ed.
P atri c ia
J o h n s H o p k in s
' A J ur y o f
UP,
A.
S c h w e i ck e rt .
1 986.
1 � 7- 1 6 �.
Ba s e d o n t he p r e m i s e t h a t w o m en c a n an d do re ad bo th
w o m en ' s
an d
t h e e f fo r t
e xa m i n e s
w o m en ' s
th em.
m en ' s
t ex t s ,
but
that
t o l e a r n t o r e a d w o m en ' s t e x t s ,
in
these
l iv es o f
Sh e
t e xtual i t y
thre e
m en ' s
o b s e rv e s
" m ak e s c l e a r t h e
and
s to r i e s
r e f us a l
that
to
"The
the
F e t t e r l eY
r e s ul t s
a t t em p t
Y e 1 1 ow
m ak e
to
on
" r e a d"
W a l, 1 p a p e r "
c on n e ct i o n b e t w e e n m a l e c on t r o l o f
m al e
d o m i n an c e
( 1 59 ) ,
fo r
1 i f e.
" G i l m an a r gu e s t h a t m al e
ty
m en w i l l n o t
J o hn c o n t r o l s
in
other
every aspect
co n t r o l
areas"
o f hi s w i fe ' s
of t e x t u al i -
c o n s t i t ut e s o n e o f t h e p r i m a r y c au s e s o f w o m e n ' s
madn e s s
i n a p a t r i a r c h al c ul t u r e.
Fo r c ed t o r e a d
m e n ' s t e x t s , w o m e n a r e f o r c e d t o b e c o m e c ha r a c t e r s
27 6
in t h o s e t e x t s"
and
J o hn ' s
t urn s the
b ut
she
( 1 59 ) .
t r ut h ,
t he
n a r r a to r
w a l l p a pe r in to
c o nfir m s
"Reading
F a c ed w i t h J o h n ' s r e a l i t y
John ' s
v al i d a t e s
on e ' s
of
Gi l man ' s
s to ry
a t ext J o h n ca n n o t r ea d ,
t e xt
when
r e al i t y
she
and
go e s
enf o r c e s
mad .
o ne's
i d e n t it y" ( 1 5 2 ) . "O ne i s a c o m p et e n t r e a d e r o n l y o f
te x t s
that
writ ten"
Guempel ,
on e h a s w r i t t e n
A
Vo i c e
D i ss .
fo r
P ro g r e ss
of
S el e c t e d
S t e ts o n
P e r fe c t io n :
A d dr es se s ,
A
1 88 3 -
a n d A g r i c u lt u ra l
1 986.
Guem pel
d i s c u ss e s
and
e f fe c t i ve n e s s of
a st u d y o f
and
Louisiana St ate U
an d M e c h a n i c a l C o l l e g e ,
the
P e rk i n s
"Charlo t te
R o b e r t.
Rh e to r i c a l A n a l ys i s
1 8 9 2 . 11
h av i n g
( 1 55 ).
S t e ph e n
G i l m an ,
o r c a n i m agi n e
t h e b a c k g r o un d ,
f i ve
t he
s t ru c t u re ,
e ar l y a d d r e s se s a f t e r
l i f e a s T h e A p o st l e o f P ro g ­
Gi l m an ' s
r e s s i n w hi ch h e g i v e s " c ar e f u l a t t e n t i o n t o t ho s e
p e op l e ,
e x p e r i en c es ,
t h a t c o n t r i b ut e d i n
an d e v e n t s i n S t e t s on ' s l i f e
an i m p o r t an t w a y t o h e r d e v e l o p ­
m e n t a s a s p e a k e r an d r e f o r m e r " ( 4 ) .
in c l u d e
"B el i e f
O p p o rt un i t y , "
Dut i e s , "
"Th e
in
Go d
11 0 u r
Un i t y o f
an d
P la ce
Man, "
277
the
Use
To da y , "
T h e a dd re ss e s
of
It , "
" Our
an d " P o et ry
and
11 0 u r
Soc ial
L i fe . "
Janie e.
Ha n ey - P e r i t z ,
t u re ' s
A n ce s t r a l
W al l pa p e r . ' "
F e m in i s m
A n o t h e r L oo k
Ho us e :
and
at
L i t e ra -
'T he
Ye l l o w
H.Q !!!� n ' s_.S.t.Y.91:Sl.§....i.. __ A1Ll .P .t � r .Q .i §.Qi.R.1 .i .n g r. .I
1 2. 2
YW
" M o n um e n t a l
1 1 3 - 1 28.
( 1 9 86 ) :
This au t ho r d i s c u s se s t h e w a l l pa p e r w i t h i t s " u n­
a s s y m b o l i c o f b o t h J o hn ' s
h e a r d o f c o n t ra di c t i o n s "
d i s cour s e and t h e
n a r ra t o r ' s w r i t i n g .
I n s te a d o f
l o o k i ng t o t he n ar r a to r a s a
m o n u m e n t o f t he f e m i ­
n i s t m ov e m en t ,
m ight
sh e t h in k s i t
b e mo r e fi t t ing
t o re a d h e r a s a .m � m� n� .Q � .Q r. .i s i g n i fy i ng o n e w o m a n ' s
de a t h " r a t h e r th an a s a m e m o r i a l t h a t e n c l o s e s t h e
bod y
e ss e n t i al
to
a
v i a bl e
T h en s h e " w o ul d pr o v oke
fi c at i o n an d
the
t u rn
•
•
to the
•
w o u l d e n c o u ra g e u s t o a p p r e h e n d
•
.
go o d
•
as a
sign
of
w h at
p o s si b l e o p e r a t i o n o f t h e f e m i­
n i n e i n .l g D .B �s.B!l i s r e p r e s s e d . "
s e nt s a
c r i t ici sm . "
s y m p a t h y r a th e r t h a n i d e n ti ­
i m a gin ary
m a y h a p p en w h e n a
l i t e ra ry
d i s c u s s i on o f
H an e Y - P e r i t z p r e ­
Gilbert
and Gubar' s
in ­
t e rp r et at i o n o f t h e s t o r y in Ib�- M��H�� a n_l,n_ �b�-A.t=
.t.i...Q ,
A n n e t t e K o l o d ny ' s i n h e r e s s ay
Re a d i n g :
a ry
Or ,
Texts , "
" A M a p fo r R e ­
G en d e r an d t h e In t e rp r e t a t i o n o f L i t e r­
a n d J e a n K e nn a rd ' s
es say ,
C ov e r ag e o r Ho w T o R e a d Y o u r O w n L i f e . "
278
" C onv en t i on
N e w Yo rk :
YW
Col u m b i a U P ,
1 9 86.
T h e s e e s say s a r e a b o u t " f e m i ni s t r e a d i n g a n d t h e
q ue st i on o f
s e xu a l
w ri t e r ,
r e p r e s e n t e d i n an d b y
c h o an a l y s i s. "
M az e
" T he
of
Th e
Wil son,
an d
Ch r i s t o p h e r
fe a r
P.
an d
a
fo r
re a d i ng
a nd
" e sp e c ial l y a s
dea l s
go t h ic
read ing
wit h t he
of
cre e pi n g
a s sy m bo l i c o f w o m a n ' s s e x u ­
o f t h e f e m i n i ne .
" C h a rl o t t e P e r k i n s G i l m an ' s S t e a d y
T h e T e r r ai n o f .H� .r.l .a .D_g . n
Burg he r s :
fi g u r e
e n t i t l e d "A n U n n e c e s s a r y
gives
Wal lpape r , "
m an ' s
a
about
o r as rea d ,
chap t e r
an d t h e y e l l o w s m el l
a l i ty
as
F r e u d i a n an d L a c a n i a n p s y ­
S i gn - R e a d i n g "
Yellow
are
T h ey
d i ff e r e n c e . "
w om a n a s r e a d e r ,
'wo man'
rea d i n g
H .Q .!!l .!l!! ! iL.S�.ll=
.. ...
1 2. 3
_g��§�- - ��- l�� � r _g i § �l � l i E�.r�- � � �r��1
( 1 9 86 ) :
2 7 1 -29 2 .
W i ls o n
�� r l�.D�
art ,
e xp l o r e s
l it e rary
a n d H� r .l�n� ' s
gende r ,
and
de vi c e s
"i m p l ic i t
G i l man
use s
c o m m e nt a r y a bout
pr op e rt y , " an d h e
s uggests that
Gi l m a n ' s e f f o r t s t o p ro d u c e a l i t e r at u re t h a t
as
a
c o u n t e r p oi n t
a e st he t i c "
"e l u s i v e
of
and
to
the
es tab l ish e d
c o nt e m p o r a ry
p a ra d o xi c a l . "
27 9
in
f ic t i o n
served
" m a s c ul i n e
oft en
p ro v ed
1 987
Brow n ,
G i l l i an .
"The
20
(Fal l
�g�.iQ.D£1
YW
Mu ch
of
1 987) :
B ro w n' s
S cr i v en e r ' s
o b s e rv e s
E m p i re
that
the
of
centers
o pe n
s e 1 fh o o d
and
on
B a r tl e b y
sp a ce s ,
n a r ra t o r ' s
W a l l p a p e r " " r e i t e r at e s t h e
bet we en
B� .P.r���.D=
1 34-1 57.
a r ti c l e
fe ar
Ago r a p h o b i a . "
of
b ut
room in
she
the
also
"T h e Y el l o w
a go r a p h o b i c a s s o c i a t i o n
en c1 o s ur e"
dom es t i c
( 1 44 )
•
G i l m an ' s c ha ra c t e r i s s o u n c e r t ai n a b o u t h e r s p a c e
t h a t sh e c la i ms t h e s p ace w i t h in the w a l l p a p e r :
t he
un ce r t a i n t y
of
this
w o m an ' s
p l ac e ,
he r
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h bo t h t h e w o m a n s h e i m a gi n e s
c re e p i n g b eh i n d t he
paper
and
i m a g i n e s " c r e e p i n g a l o ng " " in
th e
the
woman
op e n
she
c ountry"
s u g g e s t t h a t d o m e s t i c b or d e r s v a r y a n d w a v e r ,
t h a t th e
Gi l m an ' s
wa l l s an d wo m e n m ov e .
n a r r a to r
is
a
( 138)
" w a l l - m o vi n g
w o m an , "
but
" s h i f t i n g t h e w a l l s th a t s i t ua t e t h e s e l f ,
a go ra p h o ­
b ia
( 1 45 ) .
Do y l e ,
i s i n ev i t a b l y
La u ra .
ity in
n o t a go ra p h o b i c
"T h e B o dy P o et i c s :
M o de r n W o m en ' s
L a n g u ag e a n d M a t e r i a l -
N a r r at iv e . "
1987.
2 80
e n ou gh "
D iss.
B r an d e i s U
YW
D o y 1 e c o m p a r e s t h e n a r r a to r ' s v o i c e i n " T h e Y e 1 1 o w
W a l l p a p e r " w i t h th a t o f T r i s t r a m i n Ir�§�r��-�b���y :
A s i n t h e d i f fe r en c e b e t we e n d e c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d
�.Q.r.i t�.!'� .f�m .ll.l.i. ll� ·
..
the
the
w h i ch
fo r m e r a r e " a t p l a y "
k n o wn
world,
l a tt e r a re o f
ou t
in
th e
an d
p ra c t i t i o n e r s
among the
of
p r op s
pra c t i ti o n e rs
of
of
the
n e c e s s i t y a t p e r i l i n s p i n n i ng
m e a ni n g s of
a
b e s e i g ed
c o u n t e r- w o r l d ,
i s w i t h T r i s t r a m an d G i l m a n ' s n a r r a t o r .
so it
( 30
T he t e xt ,
l ik e
t h e wal l pa p e r ,
ti c sin'" ( 32 ) ,
o f t he
" ' c o m m i t s ev e r y a r t i s ­
a n d t h e w al l p a p e r i s
ch a r a c t e r ' s c o n d i t i o n "
d i s cu ss e s t he "m ot h e r - d a u gh t e r
" e xi s t s in
t hat
"C ha rl o t t e
d a u gh t e r
(36 )
exile
i n t hi s
(33).
"a
Do y le b r i e f l y
relat ionshi p"
st o ry " ( 3 5 ) ,
is
living
out
a l i e n a t i on
t yp i c a l
of
re f l e c t i o n
wh i c h
c o n j e c t u r in g
a cycle
of
m ot h e r ­
wo m e n i n p a t r i a r c h y "
•
M i ch a el s ,
W al t e r B e n n.
Ib� _yQ !g_���.I.lg�r g_��g-�b�- �g£1.. �
�f-Ba ��� �!.i.§m� __ Am�.!'.i..Q�� L.i.!�..r�1Y.!'�-�!-th�-1Y.!'g_QX
1 h �- ��ll� Y.!'X·
YW
In
this
book
Be rk e l e y :
which
U o f C a l i fo r n i a
e x p lo res
1 987.
c on sum e r i sm
w o r k s of s u ch a ut h o r s a t t h e t u r n of t h e
281
P,
in
t he
c e n t ur y a s
G il m a n ,
D r ei s e r ,
Cr a n e ,
a n d oth e r s ,
M i ch a e l s
vi ew s
" 'T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r ' a s a n en d o r s e m e n t o f c o n su m ­
er
ca p i t a l i s m
it."
He
[ m u ch
a grees
ph i l o sophy ,
w i th
m or e ]
his
than as
" e m e r g e n c e o f c o n su m e r c u l t u r e . "
p l a ry
s el f
•
on
i ts
" m ak e s ' T h e Y e l l o w
w o rk
of
Gi l ma n ' s
cr i ti c a l in the
H e a r gu e s t h at t h e
Wa l lp a pe r' e x e m­
i s t h u s i t s d e t e r m i n at i o n
to
o w n t er m s ,
a s u b j e c t in
a s a c o m mo d i t y ,
see
t he
H e d e fi n e s t h e w o r k o f w ri t i n g a s
t he m ar k e t " ( 2 8 ) .
"the
cr i t i q u e
und e r s t an d i n g o f
w ho s e r o l e b e s e e s a s
qua li t y t hat
a
o f a t o n ce
p ro d u c i n g a n d co n s u m in g t h e
c o m e s t o t he s a m e t h i ng ,
s el f o r ,
what
m a rk e t .
W h at m a k e s ' T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r ' e xe m p l a r y
wo rk
in t he
f o r me i s t h u s i t s
d e t e r mi n at i o n t o s e e t h e s e l f on
i ts
a
own
terms,
ma rket"
(28).
not
m u ch
so
as
c o m mo di t y ,
a s u b j e ct
I n h i s v i ew "T he Y e l l o w
a
ab o u t
sto ry
M it chel l ' s rest c ure ,
the
in
the
W al l p a p e r " i s
e f fe c t s
of
W e ir
h i s " re f u s a l t o a l l o w h e r to
p r o d u c e , " b u t a b o u t a w o m an w h o is so c o m m i t t e d t o
pro duc i n g
that
"it
r e qu i r e s
t h e n , t he
to
He co n t i n u e s :
pr o d u c i ng h e r se l f " ( 5 ) .
m an ,
her
b egi n
by
"For G i l-
w or k o f w r i t i n g i s t h e w o r k s i mu l t a­
n e o u sl y o f p ro d u c t i on
an d
28 2
co ns u m p t i o n ,
a w o rk
in
w h i c h w o m an ' s b o d y i s
of
t he
that
m a rk e t
ec o n o my . "
be e x c h a n g e d
e xc h a n ge . "
In
t h e u t o pi a n
He e mp h as i z e s
G i l m an v i e w e d t h e f e m al e
ob ject to
of
r e w r i t t e n as
.
.
11 T h e
•
body "not
Yellow
t he
p oi n t
only
as an
t h e v e ry
but as
bo d y
W all pa p e r , "
s it e
then,
" be i n g o n e s e l f d e p e nd s o n o w n i n g o ne s e l f , a n d o w n i n g
d e p e nd s
on e se lf
on
p r o d uc i ng
on e se l f "
(13).
1 988
Alle n,
Wynn.
Polly
�M11�ing_]Q m��tj�_L1��r t��-�h�r1Q���
A m he r s t :
2�rki�§_U1l���-Ar�b1 t� � � MrE1_ I � � i D 1 § m .
U o f M as s. p. ,
Al l e n
a b ou t
e xp l o re s
e n t i re
a l t e r n a t i ve ,
ful
e n o ugh
pl ann e r s ,
en d
of
G i l m a n' s
a r ch ite ct u r e
w o r k o ut s i d e
th e
1 988.
that would
th e ho m e
fam i ly
fe m in i s t / s o ci a l i s t
and
to
m ak e
free
the
t h e h o me
en jo y .
"Her
t h eo r i e s
w o m an
to
a have n for
v i s io n
of
an
w o m a n- s u p p o r t i n g l a n d s c ap e r e m ai n s p o w e r­
to
ar re s t
d e v e l o pe r s ,
t he
a nd
at t e n t i o n
archite ctural
b o t h her
f i c t ion
an d
vis ion
her
2 83
would-be
co m m u n i t y a c t i v i s t s a s t h e
an o t h e r c e n t u r y a p p r o a c h e s . "
G i l m a n' s
of
as
it
She
is
n on-f ict i on.
deal s
with
e xp r e ss e d
in
D e L a m ot t e ,
E u g e ni a C .
Ye 1 1 ow
" M ale
W a 1 1 p a p e r . "'
a n d Fe m al e M y st e r i e s in
'The
L � g g_ ..c .Y..:.. _ _ _A _ !l ..Q .Y r. n � 1- - .Q .f _ .Ni .IH� =
.t .e � n � .b = .C � .n.t Y .r .Y A ID � .r.J:g g_ _n _ J.i .2 .!!.l!l .D _ !l .r.i.t�r.§
5.1
( 1 988 ) :
3- 1 4 .
YW
D e La m o t t e
o b s e rv e s
Gothic w riter as
femi nist
l at i on
that
the
Go t h i c i s t s'
T he
m e a n in g s
re s u l t
p reoc cup a t i o n
w i th
be c o m e s
b en e ath
k no wl e d g e
a
fr o m t h e
"a bol d
a nd
s el f-d e fen se ;
c ou n t e r w i t h a h i d d e n w o ma n ;
revewo m en
with a
the e n ­
sp e e c h a nd s i l e n c e ;
t he
t h e h o r ro r s o f r e p e t i ­
m i s p r i z i n g of th e h e ro i n e ;
and
is
c o n c e al e d
s e t of int errel at e d is s u e s :
ti on ;
h er o i ne
Gi l m an e x p l o r e s t he g e n re
pe r s p e c t i v e .
of
G il m a n ' s
the p ro b l em o f freed o m" ( 3 ) .
DeLam otte
d i s c u s s e s m a l e k no w l e d g e o f w o m e n ' s p s y c h o l o gi c a l
di s t u r b an c e s
i es
at
t he
a
[ which
the
m al e
c e nt e r
ge n r e o f
w om an
nev er
an d
of
dedu c e s
kno wl e d g e ]
Gil m a n's
v i c a r io u s l y
is
the
in
" t h e f em in i ne
c an n o t
(4).
r e - v i s i o ni n g
In
n a r r a t or ' s
of
w o m e n ' s go t h ic
l i v e s a d v e nt ur e s s h e c o u l d
rea lit y;
p r in c i pl e
"the
f e e l i n g s a b o ut
2 84
Heroi ne ' s
a c t i on D�Qg_�§�-i�_i§_1h �
She
t he
m y s t e r­
a c com mod ate- -are
b rill iant
wo m en ' s G o t h i c "
e xp e r i e n c e
suffering
that
Jo hn t o
her
c on tr a s t s
f eel ings
ab o ut
the
pa pe r .
She
can
f e e l i n g s ab o u t t h e p ap e r ,
be
fr ank
about
her
S om e
b u t n o t a b o ut J o h n.
o t h e r r e l e v a n t s a m p l e qu o t e s f r o m h e r a r t i c l e a r e :
" t h e d i f fi c u l t y o f b e i n g k n o w n
of
Go t h i c
P a r a n o i a 11
up
m otte' s v i ew
th e
" t r iu mph
s el f - k n o w l e d g e
G i l b e rt ,
S a n d ra
11 G o t h i c
real
fear
w i t h i n h e r s e l f in a ' c i r c l e
( qu o t i n g d e B e a uv o i r ,
u ou s :
t he
M.
sub j e c t
is
a m ask
" wo ma n is shu t up w i t h i n he r h o m e
f o r a n g e r" ( 1 1 ) ;
a n d s hu t
(8-9 ) ;
is
o f h ersel f'"
e n d of G i l m an ' s s t o ry
and
and
a nd
d e f e at ,
i n s i ght
s e l f - l o s s"
(13).
S u s an
Gubar.
In
50 0 ) .
�D �-���QDg_ ���
a m b ig­
is
and
D e La ­
i n sa n i t y ,
]'.Q_ M.e n ' s_ L .e D.QJ. __ .Ih�
f1.e ��-Qf_!b�_j .Q � �D-H I1��r_iD_tb�1 H � D�i��b-��DtYr� .
Vo l .
1 : .I .b.iL il � L .QL .t h �_ H .Q.!:.Q � .
N ew
Yal e U P ,
Hav e n :
1 988 .
T h i s v o l u m e p r e s e n t s an " ov e r v i e w o f s o c i al ,
ry ,
a nd
wom en
the
l i ngu i s t i c
f r om
mi d d l e
p r e se n t " i n a
inf l e c t i ons
a u t ho r s
I
the
Wa s
fo r
i n t e ra c t i o n s
o f t h e n in et e e nt h
s t ud y
m al e
b et w e en
and
of
mod er ni s m' s
f e m al e
w riters
d i s c u s s G i l m an ' s s ho r t s to r y
A
W i t ch "
and
f u s i o n s o f " fe m i n i s m
her
and
285
novel
m en
and
c e n t ur y
to
d if fer ent
(x i i ) .
The
e nt it l e d "W hen
!:L � r1 .e n .Q
fa nt a s y "
l i t e r a­
(89).
b r i ef ly
T he y
as
be-
l i e v e B� r 1 � D9
and
frin�� ��
He r n d l ,
to
R ider
G i l m an ,
a
A nn a
r evi s i o n
of
T e n ny s o n ' s !h�
H a gg a r d ' s �h� .
" T he
Dia n e P ri c e .
ki ns
be
W r iting
an d
0,
Cu r e :
C harl o t te
P e r-
W ri t i n g. "
'Hyst e r i c a l '
Bg�i���1- �Q ID � D�- ����j � � - A ����i��jgD_�2�r�gJ 1 . 1
( A ut u m n
YW
1 9 88 ) :
In th i s e s say ,
5 2- 7 4 .
H e r n d l e xp l o r e s t he " r e l a t i o n b e t w e en
h y s t e r i a a n d fem i ni s t w r i t ing" { 5 2 ) ,
r ia
as
the "women's
s i g ni f y i n g s y s t e m "
h y s t e r ia
He r n d l
r e s p o n s e"
an d
(5 3 )
b e gi n n i n g w i t h
b e l ieves
t h at
to
"t he
ci t i n g
Freud's
d e fi n i n g h y s t e ­
m a l e - de f i n e d
t he
h i s to r y
ana l y s e s
p s y c h o an a l y s i s
( 53-5 4 ) .
is
u at e s s e x u a l a n d p s y c h o l o gi c a l s t e r e o t y pe s
She
di s c us s e s
a n d t h e " p hy s ic a l
the
p en i s "
" ' met aph o r ica l '
(55 )
an d
w o m an ' s
l a n gu a g e t o e x p r e s s h e r s e x u a l i t y .
p e n i l e " e qu al s " N o
w o m an
who has
s e xu al i t y
and
no
The
{5 6),
un c o n s c i o u s
w ho
t h i n g d i re c t l y ,
{61 ).
t h in g "
t he r efo r e
the
•
•
•
"
p h al lu s"
n ee d
fo r a
S i n c e t h e " p h al ­
p r i v i l eg e d s y m b o l , " a n d
lus be c o m e s t he
" m al e­
"p erp e t­
o r i e n t e d " a n d " m a l e - fo u n d e d" an d t h a t it
(55 ).
of
" n ot h i n g
hy s t er ic
is
th e
re p r e s e n t a t i o n
of
he r
expe ri en c es
th e no-
w i t h o u t t h e m e d i a t i o n o f l an g u a g e
" hy s t e r ic
l a c ks
286
the
spaci al-t emp oral
di s t an ce
ga i n e d
from
f r a m e w o rk
the
of
l a ngu a ge"
( 62 } :
A
cure
•
•
s h i ft i n g n o t o n l y
w o u l d f o c u s on
•
t h e w o m an ' s r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s o f s e x u a l i t y
an d
f e m i n i n i t y f r o m " n o t h i n g" t o " s o m e t h i n g" b u t
woul d
a l so
w h ic h
s he
Hern dl
o n c ha n g i n g t h e
u se d l a n g u a g e .
but
c i t e s t h e ca s e h i s t o r y
" p u b li s h e d
P au l B e r t h o l d ,
phor'
for
under
w h i ch
self
may
of
Breuer's
the
not,
b egi n s
She
to
cr e a t e
her
to e xperience her
c on c l u de s
en d o f t he
th a t
s to ry
T r e i c hle r f in d s ,
o f o n e w it h out
M a r c h a lo n i s ,
(6 7 ) .
the
own
pse udonym ,
He r n d l
bee n
a
o b s e rv e s
" D en i e d
the
narrator
text,
na r ra t i v e
m et a­
(68}:
s e lf as t ext
.
•
•
"
(73).
in s t a b i l i t y a t
i s n o t t he " c om m u n a l
the
v o i c e" t h a t
b u t t h e vo i c e o f n o o n e , t h e v o i c e
s u b j e c t i v i ty
S h i rley ,
and w ri t­
h av e
fir s t ,
t h at "w ri t i n g ca n b e c o m e t he o t h e r "
pow e r
(68}
m a s cu li ne
at
one"
in
A nn a 0 .
s u g g es t s t h a t he r ' n e w
p a rt i c u l a r l y fe m in i n e
the
con te xt
(64}
b ec o m e s h e r o w n " d o c t o r - s a v i o u r "
w ho
er
w ork
ed.
( 74 } .
���rQE��n�_ fr2��E����-D�n��r�
rri��g§bi��-gE�-�ri�i�S-1�-�J��!�� n!h=��n!��-�m�r i ­
�.
New
B runs w i ck :
Ru t g e r s UP ,
287
1 988.
Ma r c h a l o n i s c o n c l u d e s t ha t
an d
easily
ove rint erp reted
Ve e d e r ,
Howel l s ,
"m u t u a l
W il l i am .
of
"W ho
Charlotte
44.3 ( 1 9 88 ) :
YW
was
Gil man
sult ing i n
E xa m i n i n g
th e
"in
f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e en
p art
n at ural
The
Gil man."
P e rk i n s
funct ion
a f f i n i t i e s"
a t t r a c t i o n " an d
i s J an e ?
a
" m u tu a l
Intricate
of
re-
r e s t r ai n t . "
Fem ini s m
Jri � g � �-gy�rt � rl x
40-79.
W a l l p a p e r"
"T h e Y e l l o w
and
Gi l m a n ' s
li f e
" i n l i g h t o f v a r i o u s p s y c h o l o g i c a l m o d e l s t ak e n f r o m
bo un d a r y a n d
.
•
•
o b j e c t - r e l a t i o n s th e o r i s t s ,
t e n d e n c i e s th a t t h e he r o i n e
g r e s s e s.
He
m e di c a l ,
p ro j e c t s
i n t o h e r ad ult
h e r i n c r e a s i n g ra g e a s t h e s t o ry p ro ­
di s cuss es
p l ay e d i n t h e s t o r y i n
ra l ,
and
V e e d e r f o c u s e s on i n f ant il e
M e l an i e K l e i n , "
l i f e a n d on
Freud,
Gil m an' s fe m i n i s m as dis ­
t h e c o nt e xt o f " t h e c u lt u­
a n d l i t e r a ry t ra d i t i o n s o f he r ti m e . "
19 89
Bruno,
Ma r i a.
"Tea c h i n g
on P e d a g o gy an d
' Wo m e n
C ha r l o t t e
in A m e r i c a ' :
P e rk i n s G i l m an . "
£�r k!�§ Yil���- I h�_ H Q �g�_ED�-H�r-�grk .
L . Mey e r in g .
Ann A r b o r :
1 09- 1 1 5 .
288
Some
No t e s
�h�£l Q t ��
Ed .
U M I R e s e ar c h P r e s s ,
Sh e r y l
1 9 89.
YW
B r un o
vi e ws "The Y el l ow
W a l l p a p e r"
as
" an
e x ce l l en t
b e g i n n i n g" o f a c o u r s e t o t e a c h c o m p o s i t i o n t o t h e
A m e r i c an w o m an,
w h o s e " t i m i d i t y i s a l s o b as e d on h e r
r e a l fear of m a l e antagonis m ,
c o up l e d w i t h t h e un ­
s p o k e n o r un re c o g n i z e d ne e d f o r a f e m a l e a u d i e n c e t o
v a l i da t e
her
p e rc e p t i o n s
a nd
e x pe r i e n c e s "
G i l m a n r e p r es e nt s i n B r uno ' s c o u r s e
"a
( 1 1 0-11 1 ).
mode l of a
w om an w h o d ef i e d t h e s o c i e t a l r e st r i c t i on s of t h e
d o m e s t ic
sp he r e ,
d e fi n i ti on
and
who
f em i ni st
pa triar c hal
t h e m o nk s a n d k n i g h t s a n d H a w t h o r n e s
(all
o f he r e r a ) t o e m e r ge a s
t he
t r an s c e n d e d
in
m ov e m e n t
twe ntieth
cent ury"
d ep r e s s i n g vie w
t ha t mo s t w o m e n s t u d e n t s s t i l l f e e l ,
p r i o r t o tak i n g
h e r c ou r s e ,
cr e a t i v e
D a v i d so n ,
Br uno
the
of
p re s ents t h e
(1 1 1 ).
O v e r al l ,
t h e l e ad i n g i n t e l l e c tu a l
i t i s " i m p r o p e r" fo r a f e m a l e t o b e
t ha t
( 1 1 1 ).
Cat h y
N.
F o r ew o rd .
UM I R e s e a r c h
P,
t h a t G il m a n " w a s a w o m a n ah e ad
of
I��-�Qm ��-�ng_fi�X-�Q�� .
Ann A r b o r :
1 9 89 .
D av i d s o n o b s e rv e s
.Q.UJ: t i m e "
of
and t ha t s h e e n du r e d " t h e c ru e l e s t f at e
any a r t i s t - - s he
h e r w o rk d i s m i ss e d ,
o ut l iv e d h e r o w n
w at c he d
289
p o pu l a r i t y ,
h e rs e l f f o r go t t e n ,
s aw
l i ke
a
si l e nt
( ix ) .
b y st a nd e r
T o d ay ,
at
her
howeve r,
r i g h t fu l l y p l ac ed
ow n
"T he
"among
l i t e ra r y
Yellow
the m ost
fu n e ra l "
Wal lpape r"
is
ha r r ow i n g p o r­
t r a i t s o f s t u l t i f y i n g , s e l f - d e s t r o y i n g m a r r i a ge e v e r
w r i t t e n" ( x ) .
De K o v e n ,
g i ns '
of
M o d e rn i s t
L..iJ!� r .s.t.Y.I'§
YW
" Ge n d e r ed D o u bl e ne s s a nd t h e ' O r i ­
M ar i a nne.
D e K o v en
Fo r m . "
(Sp ring
8.1
p re s e n t s
.l'.Y.1.§s_.SJ!.ll.91il§_ ..iiL H .2 1!1��
1 9 89 ) :
rea d i ngs
of
1 9 -42.
C h op i n ' s
.l'h �J H s��Di .D.B:
a n d G i l m a n ' s " T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r " a s e xa m p l e s o f
f e m al e
mo d e rni s m .
s t o ry ,
she
deals
mo de r ni s m , "
Su r re a l i s t
In
he r
w ith
o f Gil man ' s
"the doubleness
po i nt i n g out
formal
di s c u s s i o n
the
of
fem ale
"Kaf k a es q u e ,
p ro to­
s t y l i z at ion
tha t
d e p l oys
the
g re at p o w e r o f d r e a m s t r u c t u re t o en a ct s e l f - c o n t r a ­
d i c t i on "
The f ron t and back
(28).
p a t t e r n s' o f t h e
w a l l p a p e r c o n s t i t u t e " a s e l f - d e f e a t i n g du a l i t y o f
prison
"the
d ou b l e
f re e d o m"
one , "
( 34 ) ,
prisoner"
s to r y' s
f e m al e
11 a l l
and
" th e
i n t e r n al i z a ti o n
fi g u r e
(35).
d u a l i ty
of
t ha t
in s c r i b e s
am b i val e n c e
ab o ut
Th e t w o p a t t e r n s a r e a c t ua l l y
t wi n
of
a
offs pri ng
h er
of
the
ow n oppression.
nar ra to r 's
Th e
s el f
s t i fl e d b y t he h u s b an d ' s l a w e r up t s o n t o t h e w a l l pa 290
pe r."
W h e n th a t s e l f ,
in turn,
" b e c o m e s t o o th r e a t ­
e n i n g t o t he s e l f t h a t p a r t i ci p at e s i n t he
th e
e r u p t i on
i t s el f
b ecom e s
iro n i c al l y
F e l d ste i n,
t h en,
R i c h a rd .
"Rea d e r ,
.f�..Y..Q.b..Q.!.D�.l.Y§i§ .
Fel dst e in
I t h ac a :
di s cu s s e s
a nd
A m b i g u o us
W a 1 1 p a p e r . "'
Co r ne l l
t he
'prison '
we l l a s v i c t o r .
T ext ,
i n ' T h e Y el l o w
e nt i a l i t y
YW
i s vi c t i m as
the
T h e wom an who
w h o s e b a rs m us t b e p u l l e d d o wn" ( 35 ) .
e s ca p e s ,
s t i fl ing,
UP,
..F�.m.i.n..1.£1.!!L .5l D.Q
1 9 89.
i m p o r ta n c e
R e fe r -
of
26 9 - 2 79
the
•
word
" w a l l p a p e r " a s a h y p he n a t e d o r un h y p h e n a t e d w o rd
[ G i l m a n w r o t e t h e w o rd a s " w a l l - p a p e r " ] a s w e l l as
t he
p r o p e r r e f e r en c e t o
W a l l pap e r , "
whe ther
t he a ut h o r o f
"The Ye l l o w
C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s ,
Charl otte
S t et s o n ,
o r C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s S t e t s o n f o r n o e v i d e n t
purpo se.
H e c ha s t i s e s t h e n a rr a t o r ' s h u s b a n d J o h n,
her
b ro t h e r ,
Fe l d s t e i n
"a n d t h e l i k e s
o b s e rv e s
t h at
o f We i r M i t che l l"
t h e n a r r at o r
m i r ro r i m a g e s i n t h e
story
pha llic
re s em b l e s
sys tem
s t r i c t iv e
that
o ut s i d e
p at t e rn "
29 1
a s " fe l l o w
the
(271 ).
( 2 70 ) .
r e ga r d s
vict i m s
w a l l -p a p e r ' s
the
of a
re­
G i l b e r t , S a n d r a M . a n d S u s an G u b a r .
]'.Q _ .M,g..n..!..l L.L,g.JH L I .b �
ilg£ �- �f-i.b�_H.2��.n_H r!��r_1n_1.b�-1��.n�1�t���.ntMr Y .
Vo l .
2:
Th i s
Ne w H av e n :
�� X£ h .&.D .S� ..§ .
vo lume
is
a
Yale
continuation
m o d e rn i s m
b e gun i n
a s s o c i at e
s ex u a l
Vo l u m e
ba ttl e s
O ne
in
UP,
of
1 9 8 9.
th e
whi ch
w i t h " ra d i c a l
s t ud y
t he
of
a ut h o r s
' s e xc h a n g e s , '
a s w e l l a s w it h n o t a b l y s e xu a l i z e d v i s i o n s o f c h a ng e
e xc h an g e ,
a nd
ry
men
pe ri o d
an d
f r om
t he
'T h e
a re
Yel l o w
w o men"
1 880 's
from t he
W a l l p ap e r"
h e ro i n e s
l i v e s an d wo rk s o f bo th
l i t e r ar y
a u t ho r s m o v e
low
in the
to
They
(xi).
t h r o u gh
im p o t e n t
t he
litera­
cover
t he
1 9 3 0 's.
h e r o i ne i n
The
" T h e Ye l ­
G i l m a n ' s o t h e r w o r k s w he r e i n
p at hf i nde r s :
Wall p a pe r '
" Wh il e
g naw s a t
t he
a
th e
her o ine
double
b ed
of
s he
c a nn o t s e em t o mo v e o u t o f t h e ro o m s he i s m a d e t o
inha b it ,
t h e m e n o f E � Il � .n g a r e b a n i s h e d
f rom t he
b e d r o o m in a f a n t a s y t h a t g o e s s o f a r a s t o e l i m in a t e b o t h d e si re
a nd
di sc u ss
l i fe
re l igi o n ,
G i l m an ' s
and
di f f e re n c e "
an d
her
(80).
v ie w s
on
They
f e m i ni s m ,
se x u a l i t y a s w e l l a s h e r w o r k s ,
c ia l l y �� � 1�.ng ,
w h ic h
al so
e sp e­
t h ey a g ai n v i e w a s a f e m i n i s t
r e v i s i o n of " t h e i m p e r i a l i s t r o m an c e m a d e p o p u l ar b y
R id e r
H a gga r d "
(71 ).
292
Gol d en ,
A
P e r' :
Do u b l e P a l i m p s e st . "
[i .Qii.Q.n
YW
"T he W r i t i n g o f ' T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a­
C a t h e ri n e .
(Autu mn
1 7.2
�1.Y.9i�§_ j,.n_ j. m�.ri.s; .sU.l
1 9 89 ) :
1 9 3-20 1 .
G o l d e n d e t e c t s t w o t e x t s w i t h i n t h e s t o ry ,
n a nt
text
which
s he
e q u a t es
with
t he
a do mi­
nar rato r' s
f a c t u a l s el f a n d a m u t e d t e x t w h i c h s h e e q u a t e s w i t h
t he
nar rator ' s
the
mut ed
t e xt ,
i n c r e m e n ta l l y
Ha l l ,
K. G rae hme .
the
f ic t i o n a l i ze d
the
te xt
o f h er
he r d e s t r u c t i o n "
" M o t h e rs a n d Ch i ld r e n :
R e st l e s s T i d e '
.QJ.1 .m � .n.l_ _ .I h �
M e y e r i n g.
do m inan t
reveal s
"I n d e p e n d e n t
s e l f.
i n H�rl�.ng . "
act i ons
( 1 97).
'R ising w ith
Qb�r1��1�-f�rkiD�
.H .Q .ID§: .n_ � D .Q _ H�.r_ .H .Q .r� .
A nn A r bo r :
of
Ed.
U M I R ese arc h P ,
S h e ry l
1 9 8 9.
L.
1 6 1-
171.
Hall
b e g i n s w i t h a re f e r e nc e to G i l m an ' s e a r l i e s t
m e m or i e s o f he r p u r p o se i n li fe b y
va lu e
s o c i e ty p l a c e s o n m o t h e rh o o d , " w h i c h i s
" re li g i o n " o f H�r 1 �.n.Q
sum m ary
their
s t r e s s i ng " t he
of
th e
a l t e re d
M o s t o f t h e e s s ay i s a
( 1 62 ) .
c o m m i t m en t s
virtues
an d
t he
of
the
Herlanders
t ra di t i on s .
Hall
to
also
d i s c u s s e s G i l m a n ' s i n t i m at e r e l a t i o n sh i p w i t h M a r t h a
J e s s ie
L ut h er ,
c or re sp on d e n c e
c it i n g s e xu a 1
bet wee n
293
th e
f ro m
the
wo me n ,
all
i n n uen d o e s
two
youn g
adu mbrat ing
female
Jo h n s o n ,
G i lm an' s
s a t i s fa c t i o n
with
the
w o r l d w h i c h s h e c re a t e d i n ��rla��
Barb ara.
Figure ?"
"Is
Female
to
M al e
( 1 6 6-1 6 7 ) .
a s G r o un d
is
to
E d s.
.F� m.tni���-S:�g_.I'§..Y.Q.hQS:�S:..!.Y.ili.il .
R i c ha r d F e l d st e i n and J u d i t h Ro o f .
all­
I t ha c a :
C o rn e l l
UP , 1 9 8 9 . 25 5 -2 6 8.
YW
In
d i s cu s s i n g
t he
re l a t i o n s h i p
b e tw e e n
" fe m ini sm
a n d p s y c h o a n a l y s i s " ( 2 5 5 ) , J o h n s o n j u x t a p o s e s Ha w ­
t ho rne ' s
" B i r t h m a rk , "
p a p e r , " an d F re u d ' s
C as e
of
fe ma l e
Hy st e r i a , "
Gilman's
" T he
Yellow
W al l -
"Fr ag m ent of a n A n a ly s i s o f a
t h re e
p at i e nt s u b j e c t
text s
t o t he
w hich
e xa m ine
t h erapeut ic
"a
am b i t i o ns
o f a m al e d o c t o r " ( 2 5 5 ) , t o " p u r s u e t h e c o n j u n c t i o n
b e t w e e n the ae s t h e t i c s o f
t i o n sh i p
and
r e l a t i o ns h i p"
the
the
t r a pp e d
in
th e ra p e u t i c s o f
(258).
un i v e r s a l i t y
the
t he f i g u r e - g r o u n d r e l a ­
of
Johnson
t he
is
t h e m a l e - fe m a l e
a l so
" inv i s i b l e
w al l paper
of
the
i n te r e st e d
in
m e n and w om e n
W e s t e rn
canon,"
t ho s e w h o a r e no t w h i t e o r m i d d l e - c l a s s c i t i z e n s .
K es s l e r ,
C a ro l F a r l e y .
" B ri t t l e J a r s an d
Bi t t e r
L i gh t V e r s e b y C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s G i l m a n . "
�r�i�§ �i..! �s��--�b�-H��s�_sn£_ H er_ H�rk .
L.
M e y e r i n g.
An n
Arbor :
UM I
294
Re s e a r c h P ,
J an g l e s :
�hS:r..!Q!� �
E d . S he r yl
1 9 89 .
1 3 3 - 1 4 3.
A l t h o u g h K e s s l e r p o i nt s o ut s o m e hu m o r i n G i l m a n ' s
poe try,
s h e ad m i t s t h a t m o s t o f t he p o e m s a r e m o r e
d i da c t i c
poetry,
A s e xa mp l e s o f G i l m a n ' s
t ha n e n t e rt a i n i n g .
s h e c i t e s f ro m " W o m e n o f T o d a y , " "T he M o d e s t
M ai d , " a n d " W e d d ed
e x am p l e ,
Gilman
B l i s s. "
s a t i r i ze s
t i e s o f t h e m al e
In t h e last p o em ,
the
fo r
d ev o u r i n g p r op e n s i ­
j u xt a p o s in g t h e i m p r o b ab le
by
p r o­
p o s a l s o f an e a g l e , a l i o n , a n d a s a l m o n t o a h e n , a
sheep,
an d
"wed,"
e ach
a clam
fem al e ' s
un p r o d u c t i v e
p r ow l s ,
or
r e s p e c t i v el y ( 1 3 6 ) .
l i fe
i na c ti on
se t t l e s
while
the
s w i m s , a s t h e ca s e
wit h "Fe m i nine
Vani t y , "
unh a p pi l y
m al e
m a y be .
wh ich
v e l vet ,
go l d ,
a n d fa l s e h a ir .
L an s e r ,
" F e m i n i st
Cr iticis m ,
'T he
or
Ke ss l e r end s
m e n w ho
fu r ,
jewels,
Yel low
Wa l l -
a n d t h e P o l it i c s o f C o l o r i n A m e r i c a . "
E��=
S u s an s .
p ap e r , '
ros es,
f e at h e r ,
i nt o
soars,
in c u l p at e s
a d o r n fe m a l e s i n s i l k ,
p e r fum es ,
After t hey
4 1 5-4 3 5 .
YW
P ri o r t o p re s en ti ng h e r o wn i nt e rp r e t a t i on of "The
Yellow
s t a n c es
sto r y :
Wal lpape r , "
of
si x
H e d ge s ,
L an s e r
m a jo r
interp r e t e rs
b i o g ra p h y ;
295
revie w s
Gi l b e r t
an d
t he
of
crit ical
t he
G ub a r ,
short
fe m a l e
st o r y :
bi o g r a p h y ;
Hedges,
a ut h o r sh i p ;
T re i c h l er ,
G i l b e r t an d Gu b a r ,
t e xt u al
for m;
F ett e rley ,
K ol o dn y , a n d K e n na rd , i nt e r p r e t a t i o n.
dec onstructe d t he dominant
n is t s hav e
female
Si n ce f e m i­
m al e
p at t e r n s
a n d r e c o n s t r u c t e d t h e ne gl e c t e d f e m a l e e xp e r i e n c e
f e m i ni s t s
( 4 1 7) ,
s ub j e ct
is
sh oul d
a ck no w l e d ge
no t " l i t e ra t u r e " b ut " i d e a s
t hat
abo u t
t h e ir
se x a n d
L a n s e r c o m m en t s u p o n t h e " d o ubl e-
g en d e r "
(435).
vo i c ed"
n a tu r e
(418),
noting the
" c r uc i a l sh i f t f r o m n a r r at o r t o a u t ho r ,
f r o m s to ry
t o text"
(4 1 9 ) .
of
the
S h e di s m i s se s
t i on t ha t t h e s to r y
p r i m a ri l y
d i s c o ur s e
b ec a u se
is
"it
a s inv a l i d
th e
s i m p l y a " wo m a n ' s
is
i m p o s si b l e
to
assu mp­
text"
( 42 4 )
se p a r a t e
the
t e x t o f a c ul t u r e f r o m t h e t e x t o f a n i n d i v i du a l ,
free
L a ns e r
( 42 4 ) .
and
text
( 424 ) ,
h er
subj e ct iv it y
f e m al e
the
t h at
the
w o m an ' s
a ss e rt s
text
(424 ) .
Mo re
pa t ri a rch al
t ha t
are
"t h e n a r r a to r ' s t e x t
c u l t ur e"
a r g ue s ,
bo l d l y
from
in
"t h e
to
t e xt "
p a t r iar c h a l
s om e
sense
one"
i s a l so t h e
text o f
a p pr o p r i a t el y ,
Lan s e r
s t o r y c a n b e i n t e r p r e t e d i n t h e l ig h t o f
t h e " di s c o u r s e o f r a c i a l a n xi e t y " ( 4 2 7 ) .
pa re s t h e na r r a t o r w i t h b o t h J an e a n d
Sh e co m ­
B e rt h a ,
t he
m a d w o m a n i n t h e a t t i c i n B r o n t e ' s si..9:1H � � .Y .r � ( 4 2 8 ) .
296
At
t hi s
p oi n t i n he r d i s c u s si o n ,
u n d e n i ab l e e v id e n c e t h a t
a
p o l it i c a l p r o b le m
c on v i n c i n g ,
if
L a n s e r p rov i d e s
c o l o r e x i s t e d fo r G i l m a n a s
an d
( 4 2 9-4 3 4 ) ,
fa irl y o b vio us,
she
d raw s
c on c l us i o n :
her
" ' T he
Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r ' h a s b e e n ab l e t o p a s s fo r a u ni ve r ­
s a l t e xt onl y insofar a s w h i t e ,
W e s t e r n li t e rat u r e s
a n d p e r sp e c t iv e s c o n t i n u e t o d o m i n a t e a c a d e m i c A m e r­
i c a n f e m i n is t p ra ct i c e s
color
and
s t ro n g
foul
p o l i t i c a l r e fe r e n c e
to
r a c i s t c ul t u re
Mey e ri n g ,
S he r yl
L.
•
.
smell
the
an d t h e y e l l o w p e ri l ;
m an ' s
•
( 434 ) .
T h e u gl y · y e l l o w
b ec o m e
uncon s c iousl y
u n d e s i r ab l e y e l l o w
an d t i m e s .
�b�£19�t�-2�£�1D�
In t ro d uc t i on .
YW
Ann Arbo r :
races
t h e t e x t thus r ef le ct s G i l ­
UM I
S he r y l L .
Ed.
�j J� ��J_-1�� -�9���-EDg_ B � £ - � Qr k .
M e y e r i n g.
a
R e s e a rc h P ,
1 989.
1-10.
M e y e r i n g d i s c u ss e s b r i e f l y G i l m an ' s " l e g ac y o f i m a g­
inative
w r i t in g "
(1 )
an d
not es
that
"T h e
Y el low
W a l l p a p e r " a c c u r a t e l y r e p r e s e n t s t h e " p a t r i a r c ha l
and
l it erary
"C r e at i v e
t ra di t i o n "
wo m en
we r e
of
t ra p p e d
the
au t ho r' s
insid e t he
time :
rigid n ine­
t e en t h - c e n tu r y i d e o l o g y of t h e ' w o m en ' s s p he r e , ' a
wo r l d
d e fi n e d
by
d o m es t i c
c o n c e r ns "
o b s e rv e s th at W a l t e r S t e t s on ,
297
(2).
M e y e r l i ng
Gi lm an ' s f i r st hus-
b an d ,
r ec o g n i z e d
the exi s t en ce of C h a r lo t te ' s own
d ou b l e :
S t e t s o n h i m s el f s e e s t h e tw o C h a r l o t t e s o n l y
a n d t hr o u g h o u t
t o o c l e ar l y ,
court shiP
w an t e d
he
t ri ed
m ar r i a g e ,
to
h om e ,
t he
en co u ra g e
an d
C ha r l o t t e
agre e d
"s t e a d fa s t l y a t t e m p t e d
to
•
•
t he
one
.
•
an d
m a rr iage
and
p re va i l .
•
.
.
S he
on St e t s o n h e r ap p r e c ia t i o n f o r h i s h el p i n g
H e had
h e r na t u r e c o m p l e t e l y f r o m t h e t i m e o f t h e i r
e a r l y c o u rt s h i p
.
•
•
"(5).
A l t ho u g h G i l m a n w a s
d e p r e c a t i n g i n t h e a s s e s s m e nt
meri ts ,
to
(4)
he r s e e t he l i gh t an d t r ut h ab ou t h e r s e l f .
c ha n g ed
w ho
t o l e t " t he P r in c e s s " • [ t h e
C ha rl o t t e w h o w a n t e d t o m a r ry ]
l a vi s h e d
the
p a i n fu l
child ren,
d i s co u r ag e t h e " d o p p e l ga n g e r "
F i nal ly ,
en t i r e
s e l f­
o f h e r o w n l i t e r a ry
M e ye rli ng w i s e l y d e cl a re s t h at i t i s t i me
f o r c r it i c s t o fo r m a n i n d e p e nd e nt j u d g m e n t of h e r
i magin a t i ve
Pe a r c e ,
e ff o r t s
( 7- 8 ) .
L yn n e an d S a r a M i l l s .
" M a rxi s t - Fe mi n i s m . "
�1§1 -���g! D�LI��!E!§�§ ���g!�g .
L y n n e P e a r c h,
l o tt es v i l l e :
YW
S u e Sp a u l l ,
UP
T h e s e au t ho rs
298
S ara
a n d E l a i n e M i l l a rd .
o f V i r gi n ia ,
" s ugg e s t
Eds.
1 9 89 .
m e t h od s
��m 1=
Mills,
C h a r-
1 87-226.
of
r e ad i n g t e x t s
w hic h are
com p a tib le
reali sati o n
that
[ s ic ]
[ si c ]
t h e x�fl���lg�
( 1 90).
I n M a rx i s t
in
a
w i th
po s t - s t r u c t u ra l i s t
the
l i t e r a t u re
o f t h e w o rld
t h eo ry ,
t he
in t e r e s t in " t h e d o u b l e
o u t s i d e th e t e x t"
soci ety
i n a l i t e r a r y w o rk
m i r r o r w h i c h r e f l e c t s it s e l f
O n e i m po r t a n t M a r x i s t c o nc e p t
t o i n finit y" ( 1 9 1 ) .
a
si mple
a n d t h e a ut h o r s e x p re s s t he i r
o f s i gn i f i c a n c e ( 1 9 0 ) ,
to
no t
m ir r o r in g o f
m i c r o c o s m b e c o m e s p a ra mo u n t
e s se n t i a l
is
fur t h e r
un de r st an d in g o f "T h e Y e l l o w
W al l p a p e r " a ri s es f r o m a st ud y o f w h a t a t e x t do e s
not
e x p re s s l y s p e ak
sa i d , ' "
or
s u b- t e x t ,
t an t
the
the
or
" ' u n s po k en
one
the
" M a c h e r ey a n ' n o t ( 1 92).
Thi s
b ec om es
im p o r ­
sub - t e xt ' "
o f f e r in g n o vo i c e ,
i n s e l e c t i n g an d i n t e rp r et i n g t h e
s t a t em e n t in a t e x t.
"T h e
imply,
Y e l lo w
and i s
W al lpape r"
c o n t r ad i c t o r y
in
a bs e n c e
of
a
T h e r e fo r e ,
w h i l e t h e t e x t of
o ffers n o
d e f i ni t i v e d e t a i l s
i t s c o nc l u si o n ,
its
lack of
d e fi n i t e n e s s " c o n s t i t ut e s i t s p r o b l e m a t i s at i o n o f
m ad n e s s
that
in
mat e ria l i s t i c
th e u nd e r m i n i n g
Ye l l o w W a ll pap e r , "
terms"
( 192 ).
They
a r gu e
e f fe c t s o f t h e t e x t o f "T h e
h a il s t o wo m e n ,
i n t e rp ol a t i n g
t h e m " i n t o s y m p at h y w i t h t he n a r rat o r" a n d c a u s in g
the m
to
m i s r ec o gn i z e
th e m s e l v e s
299
and
to
a r r o ga t e
to
them s elves
"the
el em ent s
of
prota g o n i s t is unde rg o i ng" :
t e xt ,
t he
m ad n e s s
which
the
" Th u s , i n r e ad i n g t h e
c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n m ad n e s s
and
w o m a n ho o d
i s r e - s t a t e d , in the s a m e w a y a s p at r i a rc h al t e x t s
r u n t o g e t h e r t h e s e n o t i o n s o f f e m i n i n i t y , f ra i l t y
a nd
madness.
ne e d s
to
be
It
is
thi s
c ha l l e n g ed
contradi ctions i n t he
fa l s e
and
t e xt
re c o g n i t i o n
re s i st ed"
whi ch
(21 6).
The
m o r e a p p ro p r i a t e l y
in d i ­
c a t e " a l a rg e r s o c i a l ph e no m e n o n a f f e c t i n g m i d d l e
cl ass w o m e n in thi s p e r io d " ( 2 1 9 ) , a s o p po s e d t o an
i n h e re n t w e ak n e s s i n w o m e n t o b e c o m e i n s a ne
Ramb o ,
Sharon M.
Experience."
" W ha t D i a nt h a D i d :
Ed.
Re s e a r c h P ,
Al t h o u g h
Yel l o w
S h e r y l L . M ey eri ng.
1 989.
A n n Ar b o r :
1 5 1 - 1 60.
a ck no w l e d g i n g
the
" p r e e m i n en c e "
of
"The
W a l l p a p e r , " R am b o a r g u e s t h a t a s t u dy o f t h i s
K Y D § � � � r � Q � �n .
particul arly
the
good
G i l m an ' s f i c t i on .
pa per"
T h e A ut ho r i t y o f
� b �r 1 Q� � �- 2 � rkin�-Q�1 mgni__ Jh�_ HQ IDg�
g �g _ .H � r H .2 r k .
U MI
(2 1 6 ) .
11
nov e l
st arting
H h ��-� i g D� hE_ Q ! g ,
point
S h e fee l s that
sh o uld f o l l o w
the
for
"is
a
r e d i s c ov e r i n g
" T h e Y e l l o w W al l ­
no v e l a s a t r a ns i t i o n t o
G il m an ' s o t he r w o rk s b e c a u s e i t s au t o b i o g r a p h i c a l
300
a n d fi r st
an d
p e r s o n n a r r a t i v e o f f e r s " t w o c o n t ra d i c t o r y
s i m ul t a ne o u s
.
"
o pinions
de tec t s
Rambo
( 1 53).
a b o ut
t he
m ai n
c h a ra c t e r
two
vo i c e s
in
the
s t o r y w h o d i s c l o s e t h e t ru e fe e l i n g s o f th e n a r r at or :
"The
muted
s u bte x t says that
the
nar rat o r ' s
t e ar i n g t he w a l l p a p e r i n o r d e r t o r e l e a s e h e r d o ub l e
is
no t
m ad ne s s" b u t sanit y , a n d th e do m inant t e x t
r e f l e ct s
t hi s
t he
so - c a l l e d
e x c e l l ent ,
a nd
t h i s s e r i a l nov e l ,
s a n it y
perha p s
o f soc iety
s i n gu l ar ,
R am b o e x a m i n e s t he
(154).
In
r eading o f
" r i c h n es s"
of
t h e t e x t , t h e t h em e o f m o t h e r as m u s e a nd d a u g h t e r
a s c re a to r ,
Sc h w a r t z ,
an d t he
L y n n S h ar o n .
s t ru c t u r e o f t h e n o v e l .
I n t r o d u c t i on.
� � r - � ng_Q � h � r _ H r j � 1 DE� .
1 9 89 ,
YW
br i e f s k e t ch
an d t h e
L i nd a .
C e n t e n a rY . "
ii ! H L .H � r-�gr,K .
UMI
YW
In
ca p t ur e t h e s pi r i t o f G i l m a n i n
outlining her
l i fe ,
her
i d e o l o g y,
v as t s co p e o f h er w ri t i n g.
W a g ne r - M a r t i n ,
A
Ba n t a m Boo k s ,
Ne w Y o rk :
v i i - xxv i i .
Sc h w a r t z m a na ge s t o
this
1g �-l�l1Q H_�all��=
Re se arc h P ,
discussi ng
" G i l m an ' s
'The
Y el lo w
W al l p a p e r ' :
�hgrlQ��- ��rkiD�-YiliD�Di-_ID�-� Q m �D
E d . S he r y l L . M e y e r i n g .
1 989 .
t he
Ann Ar b o r :
5 1 - 64.
w o m an a s m o t h e r
30 1
i n l i t e r a t u re ,
W agne r - Mart i n
st ory
w h ich
cites
"T h e
Yellow
d ep i c t s
"the
y o ung
m ot her" ( 5 4 ) .
the
s e m b l i n g wo r d s a nd
and
does
p o i nt i n g o u t
h av e
her
own
(50 ).
" e s c ap e
" on l y a P y r rh i c
to
int o
has
d is ­
S he
(57).
As t he s t o r y
. p hy s i c a l l y l o s i n g
m a d ne s s m a y
hav e
w i t h J o h n , " b ut ,
v i c to r y
any on e ,
T hen , however,
na r ra t o r
as
W a g ne r - Mar t i n a l s o n o t e s t h a t t h e
c o n t i n u i n g a r gu m e n t
v al u e l e s s
J o hn ' s
se1f
find h e r ow n w a y .
e n d s , " s h e i s w o r r i e d ab o u t
narrato r' s
w o m an
d e e d s becau s e t h e w i f e i s re a l l y
n ot
c an n o t , t h e r e fo re ,
her way"
ma r r ied
a
S h e n o t e s t h e " d i s h o n e st rh e t o r i c o f
c o m fo rt i ng h u s b a n d " b y
" .hi� "
W al l p a p e r " a s
b e c a us e
w on
if so ,
h e r p res ent
p a r t i c ul a r l y
to
her
it is
life
herse l f"
is
( 60 ).
s h e c o n t ra d i c t s h e r a r g u m e n t t h a t t h e
ga i n e d
a " P yr rh i c
She wins back her
vic t o r y" :
l an g u a g e ,
and
v an q u i s he s
her
hu s ba n d - - w ho h a s ne i th e r s p e e c h n o r a c t i o n by
end of
the
t he
He
s to ry.
l ie s
as
if
dead
t h e p a t h o f h e r h i g h l y f u n ct i on a l m ov e m e nt ,
s he s i m p l y c r a w l s o v e r h i m .
Fa i l i n g
to
a c kn o w l e d g e
o u t r i gh t
vi c to r y i s o n l y m o m e n t a r y ,
r e c on c i l e
her
and
(60 )
that
the
n a r ra t o r ' s
W a g ne r - M a r t i n a t t e m p t s t o
co n t r a d i c t o r y
302
in
re a di n g s
by
c on ce di n g
t h a t t h e n a r r a t o r h a s " s i l e n ce d " J o h n " t e m p o r a r i l y
at l e a s t " ( 6 1 ) .
S h e ev i d e n t l y a rgu e s t h a t t h e n ar ­
r a t o r i s v i c t o r i o u s b e c a u s e sh e
d raws
"into
se p a r a t i o n
[ t h e n a rr a t o r ] w i t h ­
a w o rl d o f her ow n m a k i n g , a c o m pl e t e
from
the
pa t r i ar c h a l
e x i s t e nc e
th a t
u se d
he r t o b e t he mo t h e r o f a n an c e s t ra l l i ne o v e r w h i ch
she had
no con t r ol .
"
303
( 63 ).
BI B L I O G R A P HY
B IB L I O G R A P HY
�11 �g n ' s_Ar �Di!� �� yr�1_I� �! D! § � .
i�I�iD�
U of Mas s. P. ,
And e rs o n ,
A n o n ym o u s.
38
1 988.
S h erw ood .
12YI&. _ QD! .Q .
Ne w Y o r k :
A llan
Decembe r
n. s.
.ME:.SE:�iD� 3 1 ,
B . W . H u e b s ch ,
P oe . "
1 874 :
.§ E: .tJ.l.r.Qg.l_.B�Yi��
8 0 2- 8 0 3 ;
( M a r ch
1 9 1 9.
1 875 ) :
( Lo nd o n )
]:..c .J. � � J! i .Q
rpt.
3 0 3 - 30 6 .
Rev i e w.
- - - ·
( Oc t o b e r 1 8 3 9 ) :
Ar m s ,
.W i n e§=
"The Book o f t he G r ote s qu e . "
" E d ga r
1 9
A m h er s t :
G e o r ge ,
ed.
1� -t..t � r � .
708 .
I n t r o d u c t i on.
Vol.
6:
�L-�.Q�� l 1�-� � 1��_t � g
1 9 1 2- 1 9 20.
Boston:
T wayne,
1983 .
Bad e r ,
Jul ia.
Je w e t t ,
J o hn s
B a r t k o w sk i ,
in
"T h e
F re e m a n ,
H o pk in s
and G i l m an . "
Ed.
Eri c
UP ,
1 9 82.
F ra n c e s.
F e m i n i st
D i s so l v in g
J.
" T ow a r d A
Ut op i a n
Vision :
305
in
Am�.rj..cg,n_.fi�glj§m�
Su n d q u i s t .
B a l t i m o re :
F e m in i s t E r o s :
F i c t i o n. "
1982.
Rea l i s m
Dis s.
U
R ea d i n g s
of
I o wa ,
B a s s uk ,
"The
E l l en L .
R e st
R e p et i t i o n
C u re :
t i o n o f V i c t o r i a n W o m e n ' s C o n f l i c t s '? "
E d.
�Q�X-iD_ H �§��rD _��l�M£� .
C a m b r i d ge :
Be r m a n ,
Har v a r d
J e f f re y.
G i lm a n a nd
UP ,
1 9 86.
Su s a n
R e so l u -
.I lHL. !'.Sl .m- � .1 �
R u b in
Su l e i m a n .
139- 1 5 1 .
" T h e Un r e s t f u l C u r e :
' T h e Ye l l ow
or
C h a r 1 o t t e Pe r k i n s
Wallpaper. '"
.I .b � - .I � ..! � i DE
�M£��--Li��r�rx_]�Q£�§�D���iQD§_Qf_�§X�.bQ�D�.1X§i§ .
Ed.
J e ff r e y B e r m a n .
Be l l a m y , E d w a r d .
rpt .
Ben n e t ,
Y o rk :
New
Y o rk
UP,
L QQ k .! BE- � � � k .!f� r.Q�-- � Q Q.Q = 1 .§ §.1 .
Bos ton :
J am e s
New
H o ug h t o n ,
He n r y .
Mi f f l i n ,
1 985.
1888;
1 966.
A_� r ���i��1-1r��.!§�_Qn_1h�_lnf.1� m=
���iQD_Qf_�h�-��� r�§�_I!§_��rY.!�-�_!!g _A.12.12�D.si�£;�§-�D�
Qn_I�§-�QDB���.! 2D_ �.!�h- .Q1h�r_ll��rin�_]i§��§�§ .
P h i l a d e l ph i a :
Bront e ,
Cha rlot te.
Leav is.
Brown,
New
G il l i an.
���i.QD..e
Bruno ,
B l a n cha rd
M a r ia .
.J .a n �
Y o rk :
"The
20
( Fa l l
.r; xr � .
P e n gu i n
E m p ire
of
1 987):
" T ea c h i n g
o n P e d a g o g y a nd
and
' W o m en
Le a ,
1 864.
1848;
Bo o k s ,
rp t.
Ag o r a p h o b i a . "
1 09-1 1 5 .
30 6
D.
.B� .12£�§�D=
1 3 4- 1 5 7.
i n A m e ri c a' :
C h a r l o t t e P e rki ns
Ann A rbo r :
Q.
1 966.
Som e
Gil m an. "
��rkln§_yl..! .m.�B�_l.b�_H.Qm �n-�ng_E� r_ H gr� .
L . M e y e r i ng.
E d.
No t e s
�h�rl Q� � �
Ed.
Sh ery l
U M I R e s e a rc h P re s s , 1 9 8 9 .
Cha uce r ,
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H o u gh t o n ,
" F a mi l y S t r u c t u re
N a nc y .
Ch o d o ro w ,
11 T r o i l u s a n d C r i s e y d e . "
and
S t a n f o rd
Cho p in,
Ka t e
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UP,
•
1 9 74 .
K at h e r in e .
1 899 ;
S t a n f or d :
N e w Y o r k : A vo n ,
rp t.
" F e m i ni n e Fo r m s
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Di s s .
of C l o s ur e :
G i l­
S t at e U o f N e w Y o r k ,
1 9 8 3.
"T h e Se c r e t S h a re r . "
�� a. . I n t r o .
David son,
L a m p h er e .
M i ch el l e
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De m i n g a n d H . D . "
Jo s ep h .
Ne w
L o ui s e
.I .h � _ A .lf a k � .n..!ng .
B i n gh a m p t o n ,
C o n ra d ,
and
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C o m b e l l i ck ,
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F e m i nine P er s on-
a l i t y . " H � � a n�_ .Q y1 � Y r � �- a n ..d- � 2 � 1 � � .Y ·
Z i m ba l i s t
.l'.b� ] j, y � .r=
W i l l i a m M c F ee .
H an o v e r H o u s e ,
Cathy N.
Fo r e w o r d .
I.h�_ H Q �aE_ang_H�.r_ H Q rk .
.I � .l � � Q f. .L a ..D g a .D..d
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�.b�.r1Q���-i�.r kin�_Q 1l�gnl
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UMI
Re se a rc h P ,
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" C ha r l o t t e P e r k i n s G i l m a n o n t h e T h e o r y
a n d P r a c t i c e o f Fe m i n i s m . "
( 1956):
2 1 - 39 .
307
A .m � .r j, Q g D_.QJ.lg i: .t �r l .Y
8. 1
---
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G il m a n .
D e Ko v e n ,
N ew
York :
M a r i a n ne .
8. 1
.L.i.t�.!'§:�.YI'�
DeLa m o t t e ,
H a r p e r a n d Ro w ,
1 966.
" Gend e r e d D o ubl e ne s s
( S p ri n g
Eugenia C.
1 989):
" M a l e a nd
Y e l l o w W a l l p ap e r . ' "
v i - x x xv .
an d t h e
' Ori-
1 9 -42.
F e m al e M y s t e ri e s in
!d�. gg, g _y 5 . 1
' The
(1988):
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D o s t o e v sk y ,
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al i t y
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A l b e rt J .
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" T h e Bo d y P o e t i c s :
i n M o d e rn W o m e n ' s
Language and M a t e r i D i s s.
N a r r a t i ve . "
B r an d e i s
1 9 8 7.
Ge o rge .
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"The N at u ral H i sto ry o f
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Fehr,
J.
•
Av D ru d e
Gilm an's
Da a e v o n d e r .
'The
s e m i o l o gi s k
Yel lo w
" Charl ot t e
W a l l p a pe r ' :
t e k s t an a l y ze . "
308
1 9 72 : 6 0 8- 6 1 2
�.Q.Q.§
1
•
Perkins
Ansatser
( 1 9 82 ) :
til
39-53.
en
R i ch ard .
F el d s t e i n ,
e n t ial i ty
in
"R e ad e r ,
'The Yel l o w
Ed.
:f..§.Y.Qh .Q � .D�.!.Y£1.! .§ .
I t h ac a :
Fet t er l ey ,
Co r ne ll
J u d i t h.
Her
Peers ,'
' T he
Ye l l o w
E l i za b e t h
A.
- --
·
Murd e rs
R o o t.
in
the
Rue
1 A J u r y of
M o rg ue , '
and
.Q� .n.9�.r _g.n.fL..B� 9..9il.l.8 ·
Ed .
P a tr ic i a
A.
1 986.
Eden p ,
Sc h w e i ck e r t.
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I n trod uct i on.
1 983.
I ma g e s o f I n t e r i o r
Space. "
Diss.
U
1 9 7 8.
P r ism :
Ed.
Charlo tte
P erki n s
Ju l i a nn E . F l e eno r.
4
G i lman ' s
He r A u t o b i o gr a p h y . "
( 1 9 85 ) :
ID� - l � m�l �
M o n t r ea l and Lo n­
227-24 1 .
"N o t e s a n d Q ue r i e s :
.1.ii�.r�1 .Y.r�
J u di t h
ID�-f� �gl�-Y 21hi.Q .
d o n : E den P , 1 9 8 3 .
K a r en .
and
L o n d on :
G o t h i c S to r i e s a n d
Fo rd ,
and
2 6 9 -27 9.
J o h n s Ho p ki n s U P ,
Go t h i c
.Q 2 � � i .Q .
1 989.
Fly n n
" G i v i n g B i rt h:
"T h e
F e l d s t e in
" R e ad i n g A bo u t R e a d i n g :
J u l i a nn E v a n s .
of Tol e do ,
a nd A m bi guou s R e fe r­
W a l l p ap e r . ' " .f� �.il.l.i.§�_g.n..Q
W al l p a pe r . ' "
M o n t rea l a n d
.
UP,
'T h e
B a lt i m o r e :
F l e en o r ,
Text ,
309-3 1 4 .
309
'Th e Y e l l o w
W al l p a p e r '
Fre i be rt ,
Lu c y
M.
"W o r l d
V i ew s
in
U t o pian
Nov e l s
Ed . Marleen
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D.
S m i th .
«O n
],� .Q.,t � g _.F� .l2 � .r � .
Y ork :
Bas i c
Na r c i s s i s m :
Vol.
of
Am e rica ,
B o ok s ,
A n In troducti on. "
Trans.
4.
1 959.
" T h e ' U n c a n ny . ' "
•
UP
MD:
and
67- 84.
S i gm u nd .
_ __
La nha m ,
Ba rr
by
J o an
St rac hey.
R i v i e r a.
New
30-5 9 .
I .b � - � ! Sl.ng a .r.sL�gj.,tj...Q.!L.Qf_ J!..b �
V ol .
�m�l���-j.Q.rk§_.Q%_�1Z����-£.r��g .
J am e s
..C.Ql=
XV I I .
T r a n s.
1 9 5 5 . R p t . L o nd o n : H o g a r t h ,
1 957.
2 1 7 -225 .
F r ye r ,
Ju d i t h .
s i re . "
"W o m e n a n d S p a c e :
£ r.Q § � � £ �§�--�� - A� n� �l- �Q Y.r �� l _Q% _ ! � �.ri £�n
9
�l��.rsl �.t.111U� .£!
Ga rd ine r ,
By
Jud i t h K eg an .
Wo m e n . "
G i l b e rt ,
T h e F lo w e r i n g o f D e-
S a n d ra
( 1 9 84 ) :
1 8 7-2 30.
"On Fem a l e
..C.r l-!i£�1-l!Hl�l-.r.Y
M. ,
I den t i ty
8
( 19 8 1 ) :
an d S u s a n G u b a r .
and
Wri t ing
347-36 1 .
1 .!! � - M �g � .Q �� � - i .D
�.b�-�!!1��I.b�-�.Q�s�-�r1!�.r_2��-�.b�- �1��..t��.n..t.b_..C��=
! !l.r.Y Li!� r2.r�
I m �zi�s!�g .n .
New
Hav en :
Yale
UP ,
1 979 .
- --
·
N o_�� �-�E�_g� __ 1.b�_.Fl���-.Q!_�.b�jQ��� jr1..t�.r_in-..t..b�
1 ���!1-�!.b_..C � �!�.r� .
Vo l .
New
1 988.
Ha v e n : Y a l e U P ,
310
1 :
I .b �- j�.r_Q.f_..t.b �_ jg r g .§ .
--- ·
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__
1h�_f1E£�_Qf_�b�- �QIDED- ��l���- 1�- !b�
I ���j��b - ��Dt�� .
Ya l e U P ,
G i l l i ga n ,
G i l ma n ,
--- ·
-
.
New
� e x�bED�� § .
Hav en :
UP,
1 982.
"T h e C r u x. "
" E f f e c t o f L i t e r a t u re U p on t he
3,
May 1 9 1 2 ,
.H � .r l s .n..Q .
C a m b r id ge :
1 D_!_ D1 ff�r�nt _�Q1£�.
Char lot te P e r k i n s .
n�r
--
2:
1 989.
C ar o l .
H ar v ar d
Vo l .
In t r o .
1 38- 1 39
A nn
J.
S e e L a ne .
Mi n d . "
lb�_..f' .Qr�� JJ.D=
•
Lane.
New
Yo rk :
P a n t he o n , 1 979 .
- -- ·
I b�_ HQ ID � ·
N ew
--- ·
"An
W om a n. "
--- ·
Ib�_11Y1DE_Qf-�hs�lQ���- f� ��1D§-Yi1IDsD�- -An_A��Q�i=
H o ne st
M c Cl u r e ,
1 90 3 .
S e e L a ne .
Yo r k :
App l e to n ,
---·
" M a k i n g a C h a n ge . "
Se e L ane .
--- ·
1h�_ MEn= M s..Q�_Hg.r1�-Qr_QJJ.r_AD..Q�Q£�n��1£_�.1J.1 ���� .
gg.rs.2D.I .
New York :
--- ·
New
Y o rk :
Char lt o n ,
1911 ;
" M a s c u l i ne L i t e r at u r e . "
M ar c h
1910,
--- ·
"Turned."
--- ·
"T h e
r p t.
1 9 35 .
S o u rc e B o ok
1b�_XQ � � �.1J.DD� r
1 8- 2 1 .
Se e L a n e .
Un n a t ur a l
M ot h er . "
31 1
S e e L an e .
P,
I
1 9 70.
___ . " W h y I
W a l l p ap e r . ' " f'Q r. � r .Yn� � .r
'The Yel low
O c t o b er
IV
--- ·
W ro t e
19 13,
2 1 7.
� Q ID�D-�ng_��QDQID1���-A-�i�gx_Qf_�b�-��QDQ ID 1 � - B� 1 � =
t 12n_� �1���n-M�n_gng_�Q��n-��-A_f�Q�Qr_in_�Q�1il_�YQl.Y�1Qn .
•
Ed.
an d
1 9 66
•
"T h e
I n t ro .
Y el low
n. s . 5 . 5
- - - ·
Ca r l N .
De g l er.
( J anu a r y 1 8 9 2 ) :
Glenn,
Ne w Y o rk :
El l en W a lk er .
der,
1 980.
Go r n ic k ,
1 1.2
< 1 9 89 > :
Vi v i a n .
Septe m b er
Gubar,
S u san.
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1 973.
U o f C o lo ra d o
D oub l e P a l i m p s e s t . "
A
E l ai n e
a t B o ul -
"T h e W r i t i n g of ' T h e Y e l l ow W a l l p a ­
Cat her ine .
r1�11Qn
A f t e r w o r d.
" T h e A n d r o g y n o u s W o m an C ha r a c t e r in
A m e r ic an No v e l . "
p er ' :
Ha rp e r ,
6 47-65 6.
F e mi n i st P r e s s ,
t he
Gol d e n ,
Y o rk :
�� � - B n gl � n 4 _ Mg g � z i Q � .
W a l l p ape r. "
"T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r . "
Hedges.
N ew
� � _yg1� �-in_ A m � r. i� gn
1 9 3 - 20 1 .
"T wice T o l d Tal es. "
1 9 78.
.l' b � _ J ,g � l, Qn .
23
278-28 1 .
" � b. � a n d .II � .r l g .n .Q :
Fe m i n i s m a s Fant as y . "
�QQr gin.it���--flg�1ng_��1�nQ�_EiQ tiQn_�n .Q _f'gD�s � x .
E ds.
Ge o r g e E. Sl u s s e r ,
Sc holes .
1983:
Car b o n d al e :
E r ic s.
So u t he r n
1 39 - 1 4 9 .
312
R a b ki n ,
and Ro b e rt
I l l in o is U P ,
Gu e m pe l ,
St ephen
Gi l m a n ,
A
V oi c e
Rhe t o r i c al
1 892."
Robert.
Al b e rt
ll.Q.Y!21�.
H al l ,
J.,
ed.
New
Y o rk :
M ey e r i n g.
P e r fe c t i on :
and
A
1 883-
A g r i c ul t u r a l
1 986.
I n t ro d u ct i o n.
L i p pi nco t t ,
J oh n W i l e y ,
1 9 5 7.
Ih�.QrJ�§_.Qf_��!:§.QD=
1 9 5 7.
"M o t h e r s a n d C h i l d r en :
R e s t l e s s T i d e ' i n B � rl:�n g . "
Qjl�� D� -- I��
S t e t son
Ad dr e s s e s ,
U
a n d G ar d n e r L i nd z e y .
H a l l , K . G r a e h me .
the
C o l l e ge ,
P e rk i n s
and
of S e l ecte d
P h il ad e l p h i a :
C alvin S .
�1! �.Y·
P ro g r e s s
L o u i s i ana S ta te
a n d M e c h a n i c al
Gue ra r d ,
fo r
Anal ysi s
Di s s .
"Cha rlo t t e
W .Q ��D-� D £ _]� r_ H .Q r k .
Ann Arb o r :
' R i s i ng w it h
�h�rlg���- 2�rk!D§
Ed.
U M I Re se a r c h P ,
S h e ry l
1 9 89 .
L.
1 6 1 -
171 .
H a ne y - P e r i t z ,
t u re ' s
J a ni c e .
A n c e s t ra l
" Mo n u me n t al
H o us e :
F e mi n i sm
A not her Lo ok a t
and
L i t e ra -
' T h e Y e ll o w
W a 1 1 p a p e r . ' " .H ..Q ��D.!..§ _ �,t�9!�§..L.JD_l.P.t�r.Q.!§..9!I>1.i.P.9!:.Y
.s!.2�rD�l
Hay de n ,
1 2. 2
D el o r e s
< 1986 > :
1 1 3 - 1 2 8.
•
.t.Qr�gf_I��.iDi§�-D� §jED§_!.Q r_A��r 1 ..9�D-�..Q��§�N�.!E��.Qr =
_Do o_g§-'-�Dg __C;i,tj.�§ .
C a m b r i d ge :
313
M IT
P re s s ,
1 9 8 1.
He d g e s ,
E 1 a in e
C h a r l o t t e P e rk i ns
W a1 1 p a p e r . "
"T h e Y e 1 1 o w
Aft e rw o rd.
•
G i l ma n.
N e w Y o rk :
By
F e m i n i st P r e s s ,
1 973 .
-
- -
. "Ou t
a t
W al l pap e r . ' "
ML A
H e rn d l ,
Se s s i o n
C o n v e n t i on .
" T he
G i l m an,
A n na
'T he
Re ad
on Charlot te
W a sh i n g t o n ,
D i a n a P r i ce .
kins
Crit ic s
Las t?
D. C . ,
P e rk i n s
30
W ri t ing C u re :
o.,
and
Yel low
D ec .
Gilman.
1 9 89.
C h ar l o t t e P e r -
'Hyst e rica l'
W r i t i n g. "
Rg�i�ngJ_ H Q m � n ' s-��ygj��-A����jg � jgn_ J��rngl
( 1988 ) :
Hill ,
Ma r y A .
S t r u gg l e
1.1
52-74.
" C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s G i l m a n :
W i th
21.3 (1980):
Wom anhood . "
A Fe m i ni s t ' s
B � � � - ��Y §�� � §_]��i� H
5 03-526.
_ _ _ . � n�r 1 9 � � � -i�r�in�_giJ �gn�__ In�_ Mg �ins_gf_A_�ggj�gJ
l� �!ni�t�-1���=1��� .
___ ,
ed.
V i c k i Ly n n.
Femini st
Ne w
Ho w e l l s ,
T e m pl e U P ,
1 9 80.
�ng�r �l __ln�_Digrj��-gf_�D grJ�§_jgJ��r_ s t��§gn .
P h i la d e l ph ia :
H i ll ,
P h i la d e l p h i a :
T em p l e U P ,
1 9 85 .
"S t r a t e gy a n d B r e a d t h :
in A m e r ic an F ic t i on. "
Y o rk a t
W il l iam
B uf f a l o ,
T he S o c ia l is t -
Diss.
S t a te
1 9 79 .
D e a n.
A m�r!�9 n_��Q r i�§ .
N e w Y o rk :
314
L iv e righ t ,
1 9 20 .
U of
N o r m a n N . a n d L e o n a F . S h e r m a n.
H o l l a nd ,
F l yn n an d P a t r i c i n i o
J o h n s Ho p k i n s U P ,
Huc k l e ,
E d s . E1 iz ab e t h A.
!l&.D .9.fl.r _E.!!.9 _�� �.9.1.!! .B: .
b i1i t i e s . "
Patricia.
P.
S c h we i c ka r t .
Ba lt im o r e :
2 1 5 - 23 3 .
1 9 86.
"W o m e n in
"G o t h i c P o s s i ­
U t o p i a s . " I .b&_lJ�.QQj.�.D-.Y.i.§.i..Ql!..i
�&Y�D-E§§�X§_.Q.!!_ £h&_�M���.fl»£&DD.i.�l-�f-�.i..r_1h.Q�§�.Qr� .
San D i ego :
Irwin,
J ohn T .
S a n D i e go U P ,
1 983.
1 1 5-1 36.
D.Q Y�lj.n_g_�l!Q_lDQ&§�L�.i!Q �£l�.i.�D-�D.9_�&Y�D&&�
�-���QYl� t iy.fl��EQj..Q_g_.QJ-fEMl�D�.r .
H o pk i n s U P ,
J o h ns
1 9 75 .
M a ry .
Jac o b us,
B al t i m o re :
"A n U n n e c e s s a r y M a z e o f S i g n - R e a d i n g . "
Ed.
��sQ.i.Dg � Q �s!U__]§§EX§_j..Q_£� �.1.Dl§1 -�rl�j. Q j. § � .
M a ry J a c o b u s .
New York :
C o l u mb ia U P ,
1 9 86 .
2 29-
248 .
J am e s ,
W i ll ia m .
rp t .
1 89 0 ;
J o h n s on ,
New
Ba r b a r a .
Fel d stei n
1 9 89 .
Ju n g ,
Ih�-i.r.i..DQ .i.Rl�§_Qf_ f§XQ.b O lQgy .
Carl
a nd
Yo rk :
"I s
D o v er ,
Female
to
J u d i t h R oof .
2
Vols.
1950.
Male
as Ground is
Ith aca :
C o r ne l l
to
UP ,
2 5 5 -2 6 8.
Gu s t av .
Tr ans .
H.
G.
court,
Brace ,
�.QD� .rj.�y£lQD§_�.Q_AD�lx�i�sl-l§X�.b.Ql.Q&X·
and
C a ry
F.
1 92 8.
315
B ay n e s .
New
Y o rk :
Har-
Int ro.
New York :
Be a t r i c e M . H i n k l e .
and
Trans.
Hinkl e , Dodd , Mead ,
1 927 .
-- - ·
T ra n s.
� �g_]§����-2D-�D a l��i��l_f§��h�lQ EY.
C. Hull .
Ke n n ar d ,
O wn
Your
F.
P ri n cet o n : P r i n ce ton U P , 1 9 7 2 .
2nd e d.
Jean E .
R.
" C o n v e n t i o n C o v e r a ge
or
Ho w
B&H_Li �&r �r �_Hi §�Q ��
L i fe . "
to
1 3. 1
Rea d
( 1981 ):
6 9- 8 8 .
K e s s le r ,
C arol
FarleY.
" B r i t tl e
L i g ht V e r s e b y C ha r l o t t e
Ja r s and
P e r k i ns
B i t t e r J a n gl e s :
Gil man. "
i&r�1D§-�11m�n;-�h � -�g m � n-�Dg_H&r_�gr� .
L.
M e y e r i n g.
Ann A rbor :
U M I R es e ar ch P ,
..Qh�r..l�.t�&
Ed.
She ry l
1 9 89 .
1 3 3-
1 43 .
Keyse r , E l iz ab et h .
"L o o k i n g B a c k w a r d :
�Yll1���� l rEY�l§ .
( 1 983) :
K o h l b e rg,
A
��&g g ],M§
K o lo dn y ,
S�ygj&§_in_A�� rl���- �j��jgn
2. 1
3 1 -46.
L aw r e n ce .
F o rm :
F r o m .H� .r..l � D..Q. t o
"P s y c h o l o g i c a l An a l y s i s a n d L i t e r a r y
S t ud y
92
Annett e .
o fthe
( 1 963 ) :
"A M a p
t h e I n t e r pr e tat i o n of
D ou b le s
in
D ost oevsky. "
345-62 .
fo r R e r e a d i n g :
Or,
L it e r a r y T e xt s . "
4 5 1 - 6 7.
316
Gender
and
B&�_Lj�� r� .r�
A il e en
K ra d i t o r ,
s.
1 b � _ 1 9 � � 1, � _9 f_ ! b � - � Q � � D� § - � M1=
!r�E�_MQX���D��--1 ft�D=1 �2] .
Ne w Yo rk :
C o lu m b i a
UP ,
1 965 .
K r i eg ,
Jo A n n
P.
" C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s G i l m a n a n d T h e
m a n C o n n e c t i o n. "
( 1 9 84 ) :
L ane ,
Whit-
H �l.!! _ Hb.i �!!! .a.IL..Q.Ys..r��r..lx_R�.Y.1 � .H
2 1 -25.
"T h e F i c t i o n a l W o r l d of C h a r l o t t e P e rk i n s
An n J .
G i l m a n . " .Ib�_.Cb .a r. ..l Q � j! �_ l.£lr.!�.iD§_Q i l !!! E.IL].£l .a £ � .r .
An n
L ans e r ,
J.
1 .4
New
L an e.
Y o rk :
P ant h eon ,
" F e mi n i s t C r i t i c i s m ,
1 980
ix-x lii.
Yellow
Wall-
p ape r , ' a n d t h e P o l it i c s o f C o l o r i n A m e r ica . "
.f� .!!l=
S u s an S .
' T he
•
E d.
4 1 5 -4 3 5 .
Law re n c e ,
D.
H.
"E d ga r A l l a n P o e . "
1924;
rp t.
��!�£��£-1.i��r.9.r.Y �rjJ!.J,.Qi§.!!l ·
Ed .
A .!!l .£l r 1 Q�D- 11 J! � r. �!.Y.r� ,
Le a,
�J!.J,lg j, � §_A: D_.C..lS. §§l, .Q
Y o rk :
V ik i n g ,
H e nr y
C.
»�-��-1 .a �£� n � ��
A n t h o n y B e al .
New
1 9 6 6.
Let t er to
the Edi tor.
1D�-�� !.i9D ·
9
D ec .
1880 .
Le n ar c i c ,
F a y e M e r t in e .
Woman
in
S y r ac u s e
A m e r ic an
u,
"T h e E m e r g e nc e o f t h e P a s si o n a t e
L i t e ra tu re ,
1 985.
317
1 85 0 - 1 9 20."
Diss.
Lido ff ,
"Do m e s t ic G o th i c :
J o a n.
t h e I ma ge r y o f An ge r ,
C h r i s t i n a S t e a d ' s �b�- M � D- � h Q _ L Q Y�g-� h il g r � � · "
E d.
I D� - I � m a l � _ y Q� b 1 � .
a n d L o n d on :
t r e al
M a c An d r e w ,
Ed e n P ,
E l i za b e t h.
Ne w Y o rk :
S y mb o l i s m
in
Fl e en or .
Mon-
109-122.
1 9 79 .
" E n v i ro n m e n t as P s y c h o p a t ho l og i c al
'T h e Y e l l o w W a l l p a p e r . ' "
� r � r .Y_ .B � � .l .! � m 8
M ar c h a l o n i s ,
1 9 83 .
E.
I h �-�2t hl�- �r � g l� i �D -lD_fl��i2D ·
C ol u m b i a U P ,
M a c P i ke , L o ra l e e .
J u l iann
< 1 9 75 > :
S h i r le y ,
ed.
A m�ri�,g1L1i.t.=
286-88.
l��r2n§_�n g_fr2!�g� ��--��ng� �
rrl�Dg�h!��-ang_�r.!.t.iD&_in _Nln��� �nth=�§D1�r.Y_Am�rl£� .
New
B ru n s w i c k :
M ey e r i ng ,
S he r y l L .
R u t g e r s UP ,
1 988.
I n t ro d u c t i o n .
�h �rl21.t.�-f�rzin�-�il=
m �D..i. _ I h � - � Q m � n - � n g _ .H � r_ !l .Q r � .
Mey e r i ng.
M i ch a e l s ,
�I
M ill e r ,
10
A n n A r bo r :
W a l t e r Be nn.
Hg��r�li§m.
M a r ga r e t .
{ Ju l y
1 9 83 ) :
S h e ry l
Ed.
U M I R es e ar c h
P,
1 9 89 .
L.
1 -1 0
•
�h§_�QJ g _ � � � n g � r g _ ! ng _ t h � _ L.2Ei�
B er k e l e y : U
"The
I d ea l
1 9 1 - 1 98.
3 18
o f C a l i fo r n i a P ,
Wo m a n
in
T wo
1 9 87 .
F e m i ni s t
M i t c h el l ,
S.
W e i r.
P h i l ad e l p h i a :
I�� - � JHL�.l..Q..Q .Q .
- - - ·
J.
1 8 87.
L i p p i n co t t ,
B.
P h il a d e l p h ia :
�..Q��..QI-��.Q_iE� !��� .
J.
B.
L i p p i n co t t ,
1 88 1 .
- -- ·
1����r�§_..Q�-�n�-�!§��§§§_..Q%�n�-B� rY..Q�§-��§��m�-�§��=
2 n d e d.
�iEl.l Y_!n_�..Q m �n .
P h i l a d e l p hi a :
Lea B ro t h e r s,
1 88 5 .
Moer s,
E llen.
Mor antz ,
Regina .
"T h e
Lad y
Mu l l a h y ,
N e w Yo r k :
P a t r i c k.
Octagon,
•
S.
1 976.
Ha r t man
an d
Lois
3 8 - 5 3.
Q�.Qj���-���b_an�-�..Q ID�l�� --A-]��1� �
..Qf_i§��D..Q�D�l�� i c���r� .
Neely ,
M a ry
1 976.
P h y s i c i a n " .Ql j ..Q..!..§
H er
and
Ed s .
�..QD§91Q�§���§_]�j§�g .
B a n ne r .
D ou bl e d a y ,
L!��I�I�-�..Q�§D .
New Yo r k :
"A l t e r n a t iv e
C ar o l T h om as.
Grov e
P,
1 948.
W o m e n' s D i s c o ur s e . "
1�l§E ���9i�§_i�- � ..Q m � �§_1 ! � � r E� Yr � 4
( 1 9 85 ) :
3 1 5-
3 22 .
O ' C on n o r ,
Fl a nnery.
"Eve r yt h i n g T h a t
Ri s e s
EY§r��DiDS-1D��-Bi§§§_ M M§�-�Q D Y � r 8� ·
Fe rra r ,
__ . " T h e
S t rau s ,
Fi c t i o n
and
W r i te r
G ir ou x ,
and
His
C ou n t r y . "
E d s.
Fi tzgera l d .
1 9 69 :
F a r r ar ,
319
N e w Y o rk :
1 9 65 .
�� D�§I§�--Q�� g �j ..Q DEl_ir ��� .
N e w Yo rk :
Mu s t C o n v e r g e . "
.M�§�§r�-�n.Q
Sal l y a nd
2 5-35.
R o b e rt
O ' N e i l l , W i l l i a m L . " I n t ro d u c t i o n . " .I h � H.Q .m�-=-- -.I �§ .H .Q r .k
E: .n .Q
.I.D.fl-.ll� D..Q� .
Cha rlo t t e
P erki n s
G i l m a n.
1 9 03 ;
r p t . U r b an a : U o f I l l i n o i s p , 1 9 7 2 .
"A W r i te r ' s A u di e n c e Is A l w ay s A F i c t i o n . "
On g , W a l t e r.
.!? !i.LJ. 9 0 ( 1 9 7 5 ) : 9 - 2 1
O v i d.
•
Rol fe
1h � _ !:L� �E: .!P .2 r .P h .Q .§j. § . T r a n s .
B l oo m i n gt o n :
Pa n n i l l ,
Linda
Fict ion,
C ha p e l
Pa y e r l e ,
I n d ian a U P ,
S u sa n n e .
"T h e
1 8 9 0 - 1 9 2 0 . 11
Hil l ,
Hu mp h r i e s.
1 955.
A r t i s t- He r o i n e
in A m erican
Dis s . U o f No rt h C a ro l i n a at
1 975.
M ar g a r e t
Ja n e .
" A L i t t le
L ike
Out l aw s :
M e t a p ho r i ca l U s e o f R e s t r i c t e d S p ac e i n t h e
Wo rk s o f
C e r t a in A m e r i c a n W o m e n R ea l i s t i c W r i t e r s . "
C as e
P e a rc e ,
W e st e rn
Res erve u ,
" M a r xi s t - F e m in i s m . "
l�.!Pi:
S a ra
Mi l l s ,
a n d E l a in e M il l ar d .
Char-
Eds.
.ni��-E��.Qi ng.§L l� .m i n i � � § R � � � i .n g .
l o t t e s vi l l e :
P e ar s o n ,
C ar o 1 .
Dis s.
1 9 84 .
L y n n e and S a ra M il l s .
Su e S p au l l ,
Lynne P e arc h ,
The
U p o f V i r g i n ia ,
1 9 89 .
1 8 7-226.
" C o m ing Ho m e :
F o u r F e m i n i s t U t o pi a s a n d
P at ri a r c h i a l E x p e r i e nc e . "
lJJ�JJr� - l� .m� l- �.§_:__ _ j._J;:r i � =
iQgl An�h�lggx .
B o w l i ng
G re e n
Ed.
State
M a r l e en s .
U
Popu l ar
3 20
Bar r.
P,
Bo w l in g G r e e n :
1 98 1 .
6 3 - 70 .
C o n st a n c e
P edo t o ,
"A
A.
'Sle a z e- Fac tor '
z e l . "'
Vi c to r i a n
in
Ro s s e t t i ' s
Unpub lished
As sociat ion.
e s say .
M ag n o l i a ,
' T he
T r ans .
Ed .
"T he
·
Poe,
Rona ld
B.
Le v i n s o n .
S y m po si um . "
Ed s .
Edi t h
t on :
P r i nc e t on U P ,
D a m o­
1 9 89.
P l at o.
- --
Ble ssed
Ar k a n s a s P h i l o l og i c a l
No v .
1 1
Th e
Mi x e r ' s D i l e m ma :
B o st on :
B.
H o u gh t o n ,
Jo w e t t .
1 967.
.Fl�.t .Q.l __ ..C.Ql, l, � .Q 1 � ..Q_ I;lj.g, ..!.Q E.Y� § .
H a m i lt o n a n d H u nt in g t o n C a i r n s .
1 961.
P r i n c e-
5 26-574.
E d ga r A l l a n .
I��-fg,.J,.J,_gf���-Hgy���f-�§��r_g,�..Q
.Q���.r-1�1�� -
Ne w Y o r k :
Po i r i e r ,
Su z a n n e .
and
"T h e W e i r M i t c h e l l
P at i e n t s. "
Ma r y Beth.
lo t te
P e rk i n s
1 960
•
R e s t C u re :
Do ctor
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S h e ry l L . M e y e r i n g .
1 9 89 .
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V i s i o n . " ..Q.Ql-1-�E�-]_n_g].j§..Q. 3 4 . 1
W r it i n g a s R e ­
( O c t o be r
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L i l l i an S .
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W a y n e St a t e U P ,
1 970.
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242-243.
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E d u c at i o n w i t h an e n d o r s e me n t i n m u s i c f r o m Me m p h i s St a t e
U n iv e rs i t y i n M a y 1 9 7 6 ,
a nd t h e M . A.
1 9 83 ,
f r o m t h a t s a m e i n s t i t u t io n.
ye a r s
she
re a r e d
three
in the public s chool
Unive rsity .
i n E n gl i s h i n A u g u s t
D u r i n g t he
c h i l d r e n a n d t au g h t l a ng u a g e
s y s t e m a n d E n gl i s h a t
In A u g u s t
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t he
a rt s
State
Ph.D.
in
K n o xv il l e .
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life ,
s h e d e ci de d t o re name h e r se l f a s a
m e a n s o f de ­
fin ing he r se l f .
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a t bi rth ,
an d h e r h u s b a n d ' s n a m e d e f i n e d h e r f u r ­
he r ,
th e r a f t e r t h e i r m a r r i a ge .
S i n c e P e g g y i s t h e d i m i n u t i ve
o f Ma r g a r e t , t h a t n a m e s e e m e d a p p r o p r i a t e ; sh e t o o k h e r
be a u t i f ul
na me .
mother' s
V ic t o ri a
b e a u t i f ul
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name
V i c t o ri a a s h e r m i d d l e
es p e c i al l y
apt
c on s i d e r i n g
o bs t a c l e s s h e o v e r c a m e o n t h e p a t h t o wa r d
ho o d .
327
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