She tries to discuss her feelings, but this only brings a "stern reproachful look,"" and she goes back to bed. The oppression of women is shown when the narrator tries to tell her husband how she feels, but he quickly hushes her and assures her that his prescription of rest is all she needs. "Really dear you are better,"" John says over and over. "Can you not trust me when I tell you so?- John is the man of the house and also a doctor. She should put complete faith in him as all children put complete faith and trust in their parents when they are small. The looks, constant reassurances, and asking for her trust only puts her down, demeaning herself further. John, the antagonist character, enforces the inactivity that pushes her deeper into madness. According to the Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism, Volume 9 the real purpose of the story was to reach Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, and convince him of the error of his ways in Treatments of Nervous Prostration.
She writes, "He is very careful and loving, and hardly lets me stir without special direction."" It is in this manner that she first delicately speaks of his total control over her without meaning to and how she has no choices whatsoever. She is told to rest and sleep. She is not even allowed to write. "I must put this away, --he hates to have me write a word."" This shows how controlling John is over her as both husband and doctor. She is absolutely forbidden to work until she's well again. John has made her a prisoner in their marriage. Her opinions are pushed to the side, not important. This control is so imbedded in our main character that it is even seen in her secret writing; "John says the very worst thing I can do is to think about my condition so I will let it alone and talk about the house."" Her husband refuses to accept that she may have a real problem. .
Her husband suggests enormous amounts of bed rest and no human interaction at all.
