By looking at The Yellow Wallpaper, we can see the oppressive mental health care that women received, which most readers don’t see; this is important because women did not have the freedom, rights and voice that the modern woman has. The story is set in the late 1800’s to early 1900 and this is evident by her diagnosis, use of tonics for medicinal purposes and her resting as a cure. Her husband, which was also her physician, thought he was providing the best possible care for her. While it really was not the case, this was the typical treatment option for a woman suffering those symptoms for that timeframe.

During this time period the men in the household were very dominant and the wives subservient. The lady narrating had her own suggestions about what she wanted to do but her husband dismissed them. She wanted to write but her husband said you need to rest. She wanted to see relatives but he said she needed rest. Whatever she mentioned he shot it down and said to rest. After having her baby, she was suffering from post-partum depression which at the time was not discovered diagnosis. Instead she is diagnosed with temporary nervous condition which was best cured by isolation and rest in the eyes of her husband. 

Postpartum depression is a serious condition that can have devastating effects on the mother and the infant. It was quoted in an article as being, “the biggest unaddressed health challenge of our age.” (Lancet 2012) This disease has been gaining recognition because throughout history men brushed it off and prescribed remedies that would not bring the mother relief. If a woman is affected with Postpartum Depression, it can be a very dangerous situation for her infant. She may even inflict harm to herself as well as any other children in the household. The narrator in the Yellow Wallpaper’s story has become mentally unstable. In modern society she would be able to receive the proper help her mental anguish. The doctor husband kept her under total control and isolated. Her sleep schedule was very erratic and the lack of sleep can add to hallucinations.   

Religion plays a tremendous part in giving the man dominance over woman. The European society in this timeframe was still heavily in the church. The Bible instructs that the man comes first then woman came next, from his ribcage. Also states that the man will be the leader and take charge in the household. That he has the final word if it is between woman and man. The use of religion plays a major factor for male dominance over the centuries leading up to the fight for civil rights. When he discovers what his treatment has ultimately done to her, he cannot handle it. The man who had so much dominance and control passes out as his mentally unstable wife is crawling on the ground. 