"The Yellow Wallpaper- is a story about a women suffering from depression after the recent birth of her baby. The story takes place in an old mansion, rented by the narrator and John, the narrators husband. The narrator oppressive relationship with her husband is driving her to insanity. As her husband and physician John thinks he knows what is best for the narrator. John feels he is helping her by not giving her any responsibility, when in fact; her lack of control over her own life causes her to become even more ill. When she states, "you see, he does not believe I am sick! And what can one do?- She acknowledges her place as the submissive partner. .
The speaker is treated like a prisoner in her own house, supposedly to allow her to rest and mend her health. She is forbidden to work, "so I am absolutely forbidden to work until I am well again."" She is not even supposed to write, "there comes John, and I must put this away-he hates to have me write a word."" She has no say in the location or décor of their bedroom. "I don't like our room a bit, I want but John would not hear of it."" She was not allowed any visitors, "It is so discouraging not to have any advice and companionship about my work but he says he would as soon put fireworks in my pillowcase as to let me have those stimulating people about now."" Because of her lack of contact with people, she begins to find comfort in the wallpaper, the only stimulating object left. "It keeps me quiet by the hour- she says. There also is a lack of communication between the narrator and her husband John. "I had no intention of telling him it was because of the wallpaper-, says the narrator, referring to John, "he would make fun of me. He might even want to take me away-.
The window, the house, and the wallpaper symbolize her oppression. The window, which has child safe bars on them symbolizes her trapped feeling, the window normally would represent the endless opportunities available in life.
