The Yellow Wallpaper

Focusing on feminist critical theory, this seminar paper analyzes Charlotte Perkins Gilman's short story, which explores the stereotypes of women in the late nineteenth century, particularly the ideal housewife and the hysterical woman. It delves into symbols, such as the bedroom, reflecting the narrator's emotional state and societal constraints. The paper highlights the narrator's struggles with motherhood and depression, exacerbated by her husband's dismissive attitude, leading to her ultimate breakdown. It questions whether the story is merely about depression or a broader commentary on women's societal roles.