“Women have a much better time than men in this world; there are far more things forbidden to them.” This Oscar Wilde quote is a fitting example for women during the late 1800’s. This is especially true for our main characters’ in Charlotte Gilman’s short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” and Kate Chopin’s novella The Awakening. Both the protagonists experience whims that are forbidden to them due to their status as women. Chopin and Gilman utilize symbolism and point of view to illustrate the oppressed role of women in society during the nineteenth century. One element the authors use to develop the theme is symbolism. Chopin uses the ocean to display Edna’s desire for freedom. The water represents a form of release causing her to feel as if, “ some power had been given to control her body and soul” (Chopin 7). The water causes Edna to feel in control of her own life for the first time ever. The ocean represents liberation from the confinement of the oppressed home lives for women. Edna learns she has control over herself and that she is, “ no longer one of Leonce’s possessions” (Chopin 36.) Women were considered to be property to their husbands during the late 1800’s. The ocean is sharp contrast to the wallpaper in “The Yellow Wallpaper” represents a more literal form of imprisonment in …show more content…
The authors use of point of view causes the reader to be more understanding to the characters situation; along with point of view Gilman and Chopin’s usage of symbolism validates the characters rash behavior and decisions throughout the stories as they try to escape the oppression. Throughout history females have been set in a separate category from men with stricter rules and more expectations placed upon them; this creates an unjust and unequal playing field that women from every era have attempted to draw attention to in order to bring about