Schizophrenia in The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte...

Schizophrenia in The Yellow Wallpaper Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wall-Paper, does more than just tell the story of a woman who suffers at the hands of 19th century quack medicine. Gilman created a protagonist with real emotions and a real psych that can be examined and analyzed in the context of modern psychology. In fact, to understand the psychology of the unnamed protagonist is to be well on the way to understanding the story itself. The Yellow Wall-Paper, written in first-person narrative, charts the psychological state of the protagonist as she slowly deteriorates into schizophrenia (a disintegration of the personality). Schizophrenia manifests itself through a number of symptoms. One of the first†¦show more content†¦At one point she describes laying on the bed and follow[ing] that pattern about by the hour . . . I determine for the thousandth time that I will follow that pointless pattern to some sort of conclusion (Gilman 429). Shortly after the passage above, there is another change in the mental state of the narrator. She begins to show symptoms of paranoia, another classic sign of schizophrenia. Speaking of how glad she is that her baby does not have to stay in the room with the yellow wallpaper, the narrator says Of course I never mention it to them any more— I am too wise,— but I keep watch of it all the same (Gilman 430). She again shows her mistrust of the people who are caring for her when she says The fact is I am getting a little afraid of John. He seems very queer sometimes, and even Jennie has an inexplicable look (Gilman 431). At one point she catches Jennie looking at the yellow wallpaper. She says I know she was studying that pattern, and I am determined that nobody shall find it out but myself! (Gilman 432). This kind of paranoia is a solid indicator that the narrators psychological state is deteriorating towards schizophrenia. Hallucinations are another common symptom of a schizophrenic person. The protagonist at first sees (although she still knows that they are not real) people walking in the paths that she can see from her bedroom window. As her mental state worsens, however, sheShow MoreRelatedThe Yellow Wallpaper, By Harriet Beecher Stowe1603 Words   |  7 PagesThe Yellow Wallpaper is a feminist piece of literature that analyzed women’s struggle in the 1900s, such as medical diagnosis and women’s roles. Over the years, women struggled to attain independence and freedom. In order to achieve these liberties, they were females who paved the way and spoke out about these issues to secure equal rights for women. In addition, these powerful females used their vulnerability to challenge the male domination through their literary work. The Yellow Wallpaper is aRead MoreThe Yellow Wallpaper961 Words   |  4 Pages The Yellow Paper is a symbolic story written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. 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