Patriarchy, The Yellow Wallpaper, By Charlotte Perkins...

Tony Protogyrou ERH 206WX MAJ Knepper 27 Mar 2015 Patriarchy in â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† by Charlotte Perkins Gilman illustrates the patriarchy and the treatment of women in society during the nineteenth century. This is evident through two parts. First, one sees the treatment of women directly through the narrator’s interaction with her doctor and husband, John. Finally, it is clear through the symbolic wallpaper as well as other physical characteristics of the room that’s she is trapped by societal norms of the time both physically and symbolically. The wallpaper is especially important as it acts as an explicit visual representation of the narrator’s realization of the true nature of her status in society as a woman. One can see what it was like to be a woman during this era of male dominance. â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† question gender roles and societal conventions at the time by showing how a woman who believes she is being held down, or oppressed, is considered to be suffering from a mental illness. Simply put, John treats his wife as if she were a child. Without listening to her feelings or concerns he is quick to diagnose and treat her for her mental and emotional ailments. It is worth noting that a few pages in, John begins to call her pet names such as â€Å"darling†, â€Å"dear†, and most notably â€Å"little girl† (Gilman 95). He is a powerful and successful man who does not waste time listening to his wife’s complaints. Early on, it is clear just how