In 19th century America, rapid industrialization, westward expansion, and urbanization transformed the nation’s economy and social structure. Significant social movements and reforms swept the nation, leading to a century filled with progress and protest. The 19th century feminist movement was a social and political campaign focused on securing women’s rights, including suffrage, education, and property ownership, while challenging the prevailing patriarchal norms and gender discrimination of the era. The intersection of literature and the feminist movement has produced some of the most profound and enduring works in American literary history. Pioneering voices such as Margaret Fuller challenged the societal norms of the time, and laid the …show more content…
Stetson writes, “I think that woman gets out in the daytime!” illustrating the protagonist’s growing identification with the trapped figure she perceives in the wallpaper, representing womens’ struggle for freedom and self-expression against repressive social norms. The story’s critique of these norms resonated with early feminist calls for greater independence and rights for women, making “the Yellow Wallpaper” a powerful piece of feminist literature. Stetson’s portrayal of the protagonist’s mental deterioration is a stark commentary on the consequences of depriving women of their agency and intellectual stimulation, thus advocating for changes in how society views and treats women. Emily Dickinson’s work is often regarded as one of the most significant perspectives in early American literature, and many of her works include feminist themes. Her poem, “A Solemn Thing,” reflects the societal expectation for women to embody purity and virtue, symbolized by the color