Theme Of Depression In The Yellow Wallpaper

To begin, in The Yellow Wallpaper the main character demonstrates the severe effects of depression. In the late 1800’s mental health was a taboo topic and women's health in general was barely even recognized. Those who suffered from mental illness were deemed crazy and were not given proper treatment. In this story, Jane suffers from what is known as postpartum depression. After giving birth, Jane is whisked away to an isolated room to do nothing but rest. Overtime, the imprisonment and lack of human contact begin to plague her mind with hallucinatory thoughts. Her husband, assigned caretaker, and society in general dismiss her symptoms as imaginary. Jane’s depression is illustrated by the metaphor of the yellow wallpaper. The horrid color and pattern is coating the walls surrounding Jane; there is no escape. This directly relates to her mental state,

In the 1880’s women serve very little purpose which is proven by Johns treatment of Jane. After she has given birth and fulfilled what he believes to be her only purpose, she is tossed to the curb like an old couch. Locked in a room with no opportunity or contact. He believes she will achieve little in life, but the deep down the real power is held within Jane. All the brainwashing and demeaning actions began to lose their powerful effect. The soul within Jane grew stronger and she began to recognize escape is possible. After she has freed the soul from the wallpaper she too is set free. After obtaining the key she tosses it out the window, choosing not to escape. Creeping around the room, her husband barges through the door, horrified by what he sees. His wife acting in ways he has never seen stuck him to the core, So much so that he faints, yet Jane is not bothered. (656) Though faced with the opportunity of freedom, she chooses not to escape. This choice proves that women are the only ones who can truly demand their