How To Write An Analytical Essay On The Yellow Wallpaper

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“Unraveling Reality: A Psychological Exploration of ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’” In the eerie confinement short story of “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the patient assigned for examination is a woman from the late 19th century who grapples with her disconcerting mental state. What was initially believed to be an ordinary case of postpartum distress was proven to be much more after learning that she was isolated in an unfamiliar location by her husband in a misguided and misinformed attempt to “cure” her of her illness. This clinical psychologist report, written after thorough research, aims to explore further and explain the leading causes of her slow descent into madness and the symbiotic relationship between social constraints …show more content…

In the article it states," Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a condition that disrupts your sense of reality. The hallucinations and delusions it causes can cause intense fear and anxiety." Furthermore, the patient’s distress is a complex interplay of postpartum factors and emotional responses to oppressive societal norms. The forced confinement intensifies her mental state, illustrating the profound subconscious impact of her environment. This is seen clearly in the patient’s statement, “I never saw a worse paper in my life. One of those sprawling, flamboyant patterns committing every artistic sin.” The patient’s aversion to the wallpaper reveals a psychological rebellion against societal norms, emphasizing how oppressive patterns contribute to her mental deterioration and framing the wallpaper as a symbol of societal expectations impacting her psyche. The patient’s desperate attempts to free the woman in the wallpaper reveal just how deeply she is feeling the effects of having to topple the expectations put on her by society, on top of her declining mental health. This conclusion can be drawn from her statement, “I pulled and she shook, I shook and she pulled.” The patient’s relentless efforts to free “herself” from the wallpaper mirror her internal battle to free herself from the expectations put upon her by society in terms of being a mother and woman, as she feels she is incompetent when it comes to being a mother and is failing her duties as a wife. This struggle culminates in a sense of futility and despair, underscoring the profound mental toll of her circumstances. As the patient grapples with societal expectations and her internal strife, the psychological toll of push and pull between her circumstances becomes evident, leading to a crescendo of despair and highlighting the intricate interplay between societal norms and her fragile psyche. To