What Is The Cause Of Jane's Depression In The Yellow Wallpaper

In the short story “the Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the narrator, Jane who has just given birth becomes progressively more ill and depressed. Her husband John, who is a physician prescribes that she get lots of rest and fresh air so Jane and John rent a colonial mansion for the summer. Throughout the story John is one of the main causes for Jane’s deepening depression. Throughout the story, Jane completely disagrees with John’s prognosis and form of treatment. This is shown when Jane says, “So I take phosphates or phosphites - whichever it is, and tonics and journeys, and air, and exercise, and am absolutely forbidden to ‘work’ until I am well again. Personally, I disagree with their ideas.” (page ) As the story continues Jane makes suggestions to John about what she thinks would improve her health. Most would require only minimum time and effort. Jane suggests that she be allowed to go and visit her cousin Henry and Julia. She asks to instead sleep in one of the many downstairs rooms or even to just have more stimulus. These small requests are denied and John replies that he “would as soon put fireworks in [her] pillowcase” (page ) than give Jane the stimulus she believes will improve her health. Jane tries multiple times to communicate the feeling that she isn’t getting better, with John. Jane tells

At the beginning of the short story Jane absolutely hates the wallpaper in her bedroom, but at the end Jane claims that she is “getting really fond of the room in spite of the wallpaper.” (page ) At the beginning of the story Jane is aggravated at John and after John’s treatment she describes him as “so wise” (page ) and “loving [her] so.” (page ) Throughout the “Yellow Wallpaper” John consistently makes Jane’s condition worse and worse until she finally has a mental breakdown. If Jane had left John she might have been able to spare herself some