“The Yellow Wallpaper” is told as a series of journal entries written by a woman who has gone to a country manor to recover from what is assumed at this time to be postpartum depression. Her loving husband, John, follows the recommendation of doctors of the day (he is also a doctor), and sequesters the woman so that she might rest and recover. She is not supposed to exercise or write, instead letting repose heal her. The woman (whose name is never learned) is not allowed to leave her room, which has yellow wallpaper. As time progresses, the woman becomes convinced that the wallpaper moves and there is someone in the wallpaper trying to get out.
I really can’t accurately describe the creepy feel of this story. While it is ultimately a tale of the deterioration of the woman’s mental state (due to the absolutely absurd treatment of mental illness in the late 1800’s, when this was written), there is an eerie vibe to it. The writing is astounding. I was immediately drawn in. I can see why this story is considered a classic.
When I began the book, I thought it was odd that the color of the wallpaper was such a big deal. However, I soon found that it makes perfect sense. The metaphors found throughout are amazing, conveying the hopelessness the woman felt regarding her situation.
It isn’t a happy-go-lucky story, but it is a compelling one. And the ending! Holy terror, Batman! Gilman’s writing is excellent. I highly recommend reading this story.
Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub 
Nailed it. This story is the descent into madness and lack of choice for women. It is creepy on all sorts of levels.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny story: I wrote a similar paper (except it had references, e.t.c) for a class a while ago, and the teacher said I was way off.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You were not way off! How can it be anything but that? It isn’t a story or rosebuds and butterflies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess I was supposed to mention how unfair it (what happened) was to the husband because he was just acting the way it was expected at the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really. Boohoo. He caused his wife to go mad, but lets worry about how is character is so maligned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha! Yep.
LikeLike
A creepy story written in the 1800s AND descent into madness- sign me up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah! One of my favorites, and your review more than does it justice. So eerie … and almost impossible to describe without just telling someone to read it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much! I know I’ll be reading this story again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t wait to read this. I’ve not heard of it before. Thanks for the review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoy it!
LikeLike
This book has been on my radar since my late teens but I’ve still not read it. Thanks to your great review, I’ve bumped it up the TBR pile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A classic I haven’t read yet! I need to get myself a copy. I’m fascinated by the treatment of women’s mental healthy during that time period, and also horrified by it.
LikeLike
I remember seeing faces in wallpaper patterns as a kid (does that make me weird?!) so this really captures my imagination.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If it makes you weird, than I’m weird too. 🤣
LikeLike
Last year I had to write a paper for one of my English classes and ended up writing about this story and a couple of other ones (because we had to tie them together) and this story below me away with the amount of stuff I would have notice if I wasn’t actively looking for it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s definitely one I’ll read again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adore this short story. My essay got me into grad school, thankfully lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s awesome! Congratulations!
LikeLike
I loved this story! The creepy feeling is fantastic and the writing so well executed. Really glad you liked it too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s definitely one I’ll read again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Yes. Yes. Love everything you said. The ending! I published a post on The Yellow Wallpaper today, and I also couldn’t put into words exactly how stunning that ending is. Masterpiece!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I just read yours: incredibly well written!
LikeLiked by 1 person