The Yellow Wallpaper

Within “The Yellow Wallpaper” there is a layer to the story that stretches beyond what is seen and told by the narrator. Through the words of the woman the audience learns that the relationship between her and John is not that of a typical marriage. The woman describes the relationship between her and John by saying that “he is very careful and loving,” (356) but later on mentions that she is “getting a little afraid of John” (361). These opposing ideas present the idea that Perkins Gilman is trying to convey to the reader the oppression of women during this time period. It is of question if she is truly sick or “perhaps that is one reasons why [she does] not get well faster” (355). The sickness that the woman has is most likely post partum depression, which people were unsure was even an illness at the time. This corresponds to the idea of women’s oppression because during this time society did not see the way women were treated as oppression or something that needed to be fixed. This comparison allows the audience to relate to this idea through metaphor.

Earlier in the semester Southworth brought up this similar idea in her presentation of the character Capitola. The reasoning that it was better for a girl to starve to death on the streets than dress like a boy in order to make a living puts into perspective the oppression of women. Capitola is put on trial for dressing as a boy and she describes her situation by stating that boys were able to get jobs, but “because I was a girl, I was not allowed to carry a gentleman’s parcel or black his boots” (182). These jobs were strictly prohibited for women during this time because equality was not seen as important.

Tom Sawyer

Tom Sawyer is another example in our reading where there is a child, who is not raised by his biological parents. Raised by Aunt Polly, Tom does not seem to have the manners and values instilled in him that were normal for a boy during this time. His Aunt Polly did not “have the heart to lash him,” but he was able to walk over her and get away with most of his mischief (315).

Although Aunt Polly’s parenting strategies are probably not the best, it is important to look closer at the foundation for parenting within 19th century literature. It has been said that parents make the child and if you do not discipline the child, the child will not be good. In the 19th century literature that we have read so far strangers or relatives have raised many of these children. It is said that Tom “was not the Model boy of the village,” but does a child need a biological parent to be raised “properly” (318).

Aunt Polly has a duty to her sister to raise Tom, but it seems as if she thinks her sister is watching her and would be disappointed if she were punishing Tom too much. Instead of constant harsh punishments Aunt Polly relies on her faith to change Tom. “Aunt Polly had a family worship” and continually talks about her faith throughout the story and her reliance upon God (341). It almost seemed as if Twain uses religion as a satirical device to show how some people get so wrapped up in religion and the church instead of their own beliefs and values.