Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” and Sarah Kay’s poem, “The Type” were written in different time periods. Both texts discuss contradicting ideas about the role of women in society and ability to express discontentment. (present voice not passive/weird wording)
“The Yellow Wallpaper” takes place in a time period when (or where) males dominated society, and women were effectively worthless, dependent of their partner and were also seen as illogical. The text suggests that the woman was trying to listen to her husband, John, who is also her doctor and suggests curing her “temporary nervous depression” with solitary confinement.(The word trying is used to much and is, frankly speaking, a whiny word) She trusts John’s …show more content…
She discusses the ideas of feminism and choice, where women are defined on their own terms and identity, rather through the “eyes” or “hands” of men. Additionally, Kay brings up the qualities of women empowerment and the issue of how men perceive women to be. Men do not have to be in control of a woman’s life; instead, it is a choice whether to permit such actions, or not. Furthermore, women have “hands,” which symbolizes opportunity since it is not tied up. This idea also implies the objectification of women, and how women must remain strong and diligent to not remain stuck when classified as a degraded individual, even when society deems them to be. Kay explains her message of the poem in the final stanzas: Women do not have to be defined by others; they “have always been the place.” Women shouldn’t be dictated in making life choices, but should be discovering their identity and finding refuge within themselves. Moreover, men are usually associated with building things, but, in the last stanza, Kay explicitly empowers women to “build” themselves. In summary, the author instructs the audience to remain true to themselves rather than to make others happy. She promotes the idea of independence and self-discovery of a unique identity, contrary to the idea that it is difficult to remain true to
“The Yellow Wallpaper” takes place in a time period when (or where) males dominated society, and women were effectively worthless, dependent of their partner and were also seen as illogical. The text suggests that the woman was trying to listen to her husband, John, who is also her doctor and suggests curing her “temporary nervous depression” with solitary confinement.(The word trying is used to much and is, frankly speaking, a whiny word) She trusts John’s …show more content…
She discusses the ideas of feminism and choice, where women are defined on their own terms and identity, rather through the “eyes” or “hands” of men. Additionally, Kay brings up the qualities of women empowerment and the issue of how men perceive women to be. Men do not have to be in control of a woman’s life; instead, it is a choice whether to permit such actions, or not. Furthermore, women have “hands,” which symbolizes opportunity since it is not tied up. This idea also implies the objectification of women, and how women must remain strong and diligent to not remain stuck when classified as a degraded individual, even when society deems them to be. Kay explains her message of the poem in the final stanzas: Women do not have to be defined by others; they “have always been the place.” Women shouldn’t be dictated in making life choices, but should be discovering their identity and finding refuge within themselves. Moreover, men are usually associated with building things, but, in the last stanza, Kay explicitly empowers women to “build” themselves. In summary, the author instructs the audience to remain true to themselves rather than to make others happy. She promotes the idea of independence and self-discovery of a unique identity, contrary to the idea that it is difficult to remain true to