Subordination of Women in the Late 19th Century, as Seen in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'

Subordination of Women in the Late 19th Century, as Seen in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'

  • Submitted By: Kat-Lauren
  • Date Submitted: 04/18/2014 12:41 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 2667
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Subordination of Women in the Late 19th Century, as Seen in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'
In 1902, The Washington Post published an article titled The Rest Cure. Silas Weir Mitchell created this cure to help those who are suffering from “overconcentration, overniceness in clinging to one settled rule till the nerves rebel”1. He insists that to cure this monotonous life, the sufferer must remove themselves from the pattern of the everyday routine and just take a moment to rest. Women at this time remained under the rule and thumb of their husbands and their counterparts in other professions outside of the home, like Mitchell. Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote often and well on the woman's position in the home and the oppression she feels attempting to emerge from underneath the heavy hand of her husband. “In the human species the condition [of women's economic dependance on men] is permanent and general...”2 though she did believe the situation at the time may change, it was only in it's beginnings. Women were making attempts to break free of the chains that the role of wife attached them to, and breathe the fresh air of freedom in a man's world. Even Mitchell himself believed that “routine kills more Americans that anything else. It brings about depression, despondency, and nervous breakdowns”3. As women in the 19th century spent most of their time in the home, repeating the same pattern and routine day in and day out, they made the leaps to enter a mans world in labor and politics to enhance their culture and knowledge. However, to keep the women controlled, the men saw this restlessness as outlandish and crazy. The women began breaking down, and to release their pain and anxiety, doctors prescribed locking the women in a room where all they could do is lie down and breathe; occasionally taking a turn about the room, or possibly a quick breath outside. This cure in of itself was just another routine, with less stimulation.
Gilman's experience under the rest cure...

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