Some may believe that sexism and oppression of women rests solely in the hands of males, but I would argue differently. When Charlotte Perkins Gillman wrote, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” in 1892, there was a different form of sexist behavior. In the late 19th century sexism was not only practiced by men on the streets and in their homes, but was also practiced systematically. This means that sexism had infiltrated the government and the health system. One example of this would be the Rest Cure, which was used in, “The Yellow Wallpaper.” The Rest Cure was discovered in the late 19th century as a way to treat nervous diseases, along with cardiac, renal, and neurologic disorders. After about thirty-five years of use, the treatment was dismantled, but when “The Yellow Wallpaper” was written, the treatment was in full swing. Interestingly, these disorders were mostly found in women during this time period. After closely reading this text and further investigating The Rest Cure along with women in the Victorian era, I have determined that Gillman wrote “The Yellow Wallpaper” in order to provide insights on the horrible and oppressive way of the treatment. During my investigation of the time period, I discovered that feminism had taken a spike in popularity in the late 19th century. I believe that “The Yellow Wallpaper” has a tie to this interest and was a way of releasing some of the emotions that had been stirred from these terrible treatments. Throughout “The Yellow Wallpaper,” Gillman uses The Rest Cure and the treatment of the Narrator in order to raise awareness of the oppressive ways of the health system and society during the late 19th century.

The narrator in “The Yellow Wallpaper” was prescribed The Rest Cure as treatment for her illness.  “The Rest Cure: Repetition or Resolution of Victorian Women’s Conflicts,” by Ellen L. Bassuk, is an article that was written in the late twentieth century about the Rest Cure and its effect on women. The Rest Cure was originally used on a woman that was diagnosed with a severe neuralgic illness, a disorder that affects the body’s nervous system. Several doctors attempted to cure her, but were unsuccessful. Finally, a man by the name of S. Weir Mitchell was brought on to the scene. He recommended the Rest Cure for her. Magically, after a few months of this treatment, she was cured. Mitchell created this treatment in the early 1870s, and the treatment was used often for the next half century. Although the treatment began as a cure for nervous diseases, it later became of use for cardiac, renal, and neurologic disorders. Unfortunately, many of the patients were unable to recover like the woman from the first treatment.  The treatment consisted of a detailed schedule that was not to be deviated from. This included, “complete rest, seclusion, and excessive feeding,” (Bassuk 4). The patient was also forbidden from using their hands. These guidelines left the patient immobile apart from a few passive treatments to keep their energy levels up. To add insult to injury, the patients diet consisted strictly of milk; this helped keep the patient fat, which Mitchell thought would help fight fever and other signs of bad health. Once improvements of physical health showed, Mitchell began the process of reeducation, a process that attempted to show patients how to govern their emotions. The reeducation process was an oppressive process that made women more like men. This process forced them to live their domestic lives under the ruling of men. The article then went on to speak on the symbolic meanings of each part of the treatment. The whole process not only made women inferior, but also undermined their ability to act on their own. The article closed by saying, “Their refusal to be "cured," although painful and entailing its own costs, ensured greater personal growth and the potential for identifying and working through conflict rather than putting it to rest,” (Bassuk 13). Although Gilman writes, “You see he does bot believe I am sick! And what can one do?” (299), her restricted mobility and bedridden behaviors show that this is the treatment she was receiving. 

The Rest Cure was a brutal treatment that drove many women to the fence. After researching the Rest Cure and its adverse affects, I have come to the conclusion that this treatment was a systematic way of oppressing women. Gillman writes, “John is a physician, and perhaps—(I would not say it to a living soul, of course, but this is dead paper and a great relief to my mind)—perhaps that is one of the reasons I do not get well faster,” (299). John, the narrator’s husband, represents two roles during this story. First, he holds the position as the husband, representing the common man. During this time, the overwhelming majority of women worked in the home as housewives and mothers. John takes control as the leader of the house representing that the narrator was second in command and vulnerable to John’s ways. Second, he holds the title of Physician, representing the health system. The Rest Cure was a demoralizing treatment, and the fact that it’s treatment was only used for disorders that were found mostly in women is questionable. I believe that Gillman specifically used this story to release what type of habitat sick women were forced to deal with. Gillman’s strategic positioning of John allows us to see the mistreatment of women not only at the level of the family, but also society as a whole.  At the time, the detrimental effects of the treatment were unknown. After all, the patients under treatment were not even allowed to write. This means physicians, mostly men, held the only accounts of this treatment, during this time period. I believe that this is one of the largest influential factors of Gillman’s account. 

Another influence of Gillman’s writing was women’s roles in the late 20th century. Women’s rights in the 19th century were next to nothing: no voting. Thinks such as voting rights and no autonomy in the workforce are just the beginning to a long list of disadvantages women were born with. Through research I was able to discover “Divine Feminine: Theosophy and Feminism in England (Review),”. Throughout the review Holton touches on feminism in the late 19th and early 20th century. The review opened with the mentioning of suffrage journals that were found that created an atmosphere of feminism, a political stance that women were fighting for. For a brief paragraph the article diverges and talks about sexuality. The article points out that there are some conflicts between spirituality and sexuality. It then spoke on how the issue was resolved with the stratification of spirituality, which allowed some different sexuality. The article spoke for a few lines how male homosexual behavior was deviant from spirituality; this was unrelated to the idea of the piece. The article then went on to speak about religion, and how religion is aimed to benefit men more than women. In the proceeding paragraph, the idea of transformation in both moral and ethical ways was brought up. At this point, feminism was going after something on a more personal level. This time there was a fight for the functions of wives and mothers. Feminism was fighting for a more personal connection with their families. The article then transitions back to religion. It questions some of the methods religion uses along with its entanglement with politics. The article closes with a brief account of how race and social class affect feminism in politics. After careful reading and interpretation of this, I have come to the conclusion that the rise of feminism in the late 19th century is one of the reasons Gillman wrote “The Yellow Wallpaper.”

Before the early 20th century, women had nearly no say on anything that went on outside of the household. During the late 19th century feminism became a more popular idea. I believe that this is one of the main fuels to Gillman’s, “The Yellow Wallpaper.” Although there is not much that is specifically written about feminism in Gillman’s story, I believe that this was a large part of her story. Gillman’s ability to represent the treatment of women through John’s ways and the Rest Cure allows others to see how oppressed women were. As the story progresses I believe that Gillman uses this as a way to show what will happen to women, they will lash back. Women will fight for their rights, and will not give up. The fight will be subtle at first, but then once feminism becomes unanimously believed in that full right and opportunity will be gained. This is still an issue that is being valiantly fought for, but I believe that this is one of the main components of Gillman’s inspiration. She writes, “’I’ve got out at last,’ said I, “in spite of you and Jane.’” (312). I believe that this final line is Gillman’s hope of women finding freedom and equality in the world. John, in this quote, represents the systematic and domestic oppression that is brought upon women that will hopefully one day be combatted. Throughout Gillman’s story feminism and the hope to break down the walls of oppression are constantly unveiled. After researching women during the 19th century, I believe that the rise of feminism was one of the factors in Gillman’s writing.

After closely analyzing Gillman’s, “The Yellow Wallpaper”, I have determined that her greatest influences in writing this piece was the oppression women were faced with during the late 19th century and the rise of feminism. Systematic oppression plagued our country during this time period and was devastating to many women. Feminism was just becoming popular during the time period, greatly influencing Gillman’s piece. Her dream of women breaking free from the walls which men held them to was a theme that was often repeated throughout the story. Gillman’s writing was demonizing, but had greater meaning beyond the words of her story, “The Yellow Wallpaper.

