Women have been depicted in many ways through many pieces of literature and other works. The time periods the literature are set in also influence how women are written about. In the story, The Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkins Gillman, the narrator is a woman put on bed rest by her husband because he believes she is sick. He makes this decision for her and does not allow her to do anything he believes would hinder her from getting healthy. The movie, The Blind Side, based on a true story, is about a wealthy woman, Leigh Anne Tuohy, and her family take in a homeless black boy, Michael Oher, and gives him a new life. The boy grows throughout the movie, eventually going on to play college football that leads to a future in the National Football League. Both women have similarities between them with their families being important to them and how both of them have people trying to influence their decisions. With the similarities comes the differences, like how both of them either stand up or do not stand up for themselves and how they interact with their families. The movie and the book tells stories of two very different women that show qualities every woman posses as well as being their own kind of person for the time period they are in.

Being involved in one`s family is the goal of every mother. It is important to them that they make sure their husbands and children are safe and protected because of their motherly nature. Both the narrator in the book and Leigh Tuohy in the movie surround many decisions around their families. The narrator worries about the baby even though she cannot physically take care of him. She says, "It is fortunate Mary is so good with the baby. Such a dear baby! And yet I cannot be with him, it makes me nervous" (Gilman 211). A mother should be the one handling her own child, making that connection, but instead another woman is doing her job. Leigh Tuohy also cares for her two children and own husband. Making the decision to take Michael in to her home had to be talked about with the rest of her family. Once everyone agrees to have Michael stay with them, he begins to grow as a part of the family. With Michael being a part of the family, Mrs. Tuohy defends and fights for him like her own blood family. At a football game, she defends her "son" by yelling, "Yo, deliverance. You see number 74? Well, that's *my* son" (Hancock, The Blind Side). Neither woman would let anything happen to their family, always making them a top priority. Both women also have outside influences and people that try and affect their actions. This is seen in The Yellow Wallpaper, by the narrator`s husband and outsiders who believed a woman should stay in her own line of work. The early to mid- nineteenth century revolved around women only handling the household and children. Men were the ones who worked outside the house and made money. The people of that time could not imagine a woman doing a man`s job or vise versa. This causes the husband to not allow his wife to do any kind of work except rest, until she is healed. Once she was healthy enough to return back to normal duties she would be put back to her womanly work. Other people during the time would agree to convincing women they were unable to do things men could do, they are only capable of what they were put on this earth to do. The narrator recalls, "John said I was his darling and his comfort and all he had, and that I must take care of myself for his sake, and keep well. He says no one but myself can help me out of it, that I must use my will and self- control and not let any silly fancies run away with me" (Gilman 214). This quote shows that the women are taught to be in control for their families. She is the one who can keep herself from believing that she can do more than just be a mother and housewife. Leigh Tuohy also received a lot of outside criticism and influence when she told others she was taking in Michael. People gossiped, joked, and questioned why a wealthy family would deal with something like that. She even had some people tell her things like, "Leigh Ann, is this some sort of white guilt thing?" and, "What would your Daddy say?" (Hancock, The Blind Side). Because Michael was a young black boy, people questioned how this situation could come up. Leigh Tuohy did not wonder why she was helping out this boy, but why others had a problem with it. She saw no difference in the colors of their skin or anything that would hinder her from taking Michael in to her home. Her fellow peers did not always agree with her decision so they decided to question her motives to do such a thing and if it was right for her own family. Leigh Tuohy was strong willed and believed in what she was doing that not only did she ignore those who constantly questioned her, she stood up asking why there is such a problem with her bringing this boy into her family. Both the narrator in The Yellow Wallpaper and Mrs. Tuohy of The Blind Side were shown to have similarities between them even though their lives were all but the same.

Because the two women were placed in different time periods and situations they have some contrasting factors between them. One difference between the women are their relationships with their husbands. The narrator`s time period set up her relationship. During the nineteenth century it was expected for a woman to listen to the men in her life. She was unable to get a job, be independent, anything that created women to seem more dominant than men. Because this was the way of life back then, women`s voices were silenced and overpowered by men`s. This was seen differently with the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tuohy. Mrs. Tuohy had her own job as an interior designer so she was making her own money alongside her husband. This gave her power and the ability to be in control of her life. She could disagree with anyone she wanted because presently women are thought to be more powerful and able to do things only men were allowed to before. An example of this is when she offers Michael to live with them, without mentioning it to her husband first. She can make major decisions like bringing a stranger home without any involvement from her husband. Another difference was the involvement each woman had with their children or child. The narrator in the story was restricted from even holding her son. The baby was put in the care of a nanny, not the person who gave birth to him, because she was told to have no distractions while she was healing from her disease. A mother`s job is to take care of her child and this woman was unable to do the basics of motherhood. By being involved with the child at a young age they grow attached to those they always see or are with. By not being with the baby for a long period of time the baby can become distant from his own mother. Mrs. Tuohy has a different relationship with her two children. She does have a job but she is always there to pick up her children, cook for them, and give them advice when they need it. She is able to have one on one interaction with them everyday. Throughout the movie the audience can see how her relationships with her kids continue to grow because of how involved she is with them. When Michael joined the family Mrs. Tuohy made sure to get the opinions of her children and ask what they thought about it before making major decisions on anything. She put her children first on many occasions knowing their safety and happiness are important to her. Both women are written and shown to have love for the children but Mrs. Tuohy`s ability to be with her children helps them grow more of an attachment with her than what may be harder for the narrator`s son as he gets older. The differences seen between both women are present because of the time period coinciding with the circumstances they are dealing with.

The similarities and differences between the women in The Yellow Wallpaper and The Blind Side help to give an overall look at the evolution of women and their rights. The differences give multiple examples where the time period changes what is expected of women. By looking at the past women were thought to be less important than men so they were not allowed to handle business or perform important tasks. It was a viewpoint that was not necessarily true but popular, which made it have such a major impact on women of the time. Women and other`s views of them have grown to understand that everyone has a voice and opinion. Someone`s gender should not restrict they from certain abilities. The similarities teach us that a mother`s commitment to her family has, is, and always will be of the upmost importance. The situation or time period does not cause a mother not to feel her life change when she has her own child. Even when it is stressful, becoming a family is a life goal of so many people and a natural way of life. This does not mean a woman`s job is only to be devoted to the children because of how much they love them, but to do their best to be there for the child while also pursuing what they want for their future. One can also see how much of an impact other people`s opinions and influences can have on someone. A person`s decisions and beliefs can be changed if the majority`s view points are strong enough to have an impact. When a group of people believe one way is right they try and force others to convert to their ways. Standing alone against a big group is a scary thing to do. If someone feels strong enough about their choices, they will not be swayed to think differently. Outside influences can become a huge factor whether someone makes a decision. Both women brought up important issues that so many people have dealt with and continue to deal with today.

There are many different forms of art to show off issues. The story The Yellow Wallpaper, by Gilman, helped give a look into the struggles the narrator faces while she is sick. The movie, The Blind Side, is another example of telling a life changing story through entertainment. The women show battles with taking care of their families, gaining rights as women, and trying to break away from others influencing their lives. Although the women faced challenges, they both knew there were better things for them. They have taught not only women but men as well, no matter what you are struggling and fighting for you must always stick with what you believe in because your opinion and actions matter. They can have an impact on families and their lives, and possibly someone else who really needs the help.

