"The Yellow Wallpaper"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the mental state of the main female character in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper". The paper first outlines modern principles of mental health in contrast to 19th century medical science that had identified neither the organic nor the environmental causes of clinical depression. The paper then discusses how the protagonist in Charlotte Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" realizes the psychological value of intellectual stimulation. The paper also discusses Gilman's use of dark imagery and metaphor and concludes that this imagery along with her use of an uninformed protagonist with suspicions about her condition highlights the ignorance of 19th century medical views that caused the protagonist's mental decline.

Outline:
Introduction
Psychological Validation and Repression
Depression, Productive Work, and Social Relationships
Use of Dark Imagery and Metaphor
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Modern principles of mental health reflect the view that clinical depression comprises both organic pathology and environmental influences. In the case of the former, medical intervention consists of psychoactive medications such as selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) to reverse the biochemical causes of the symptoms associated with clinical depression (Branden, 1998).
"Clinical depression can also result exclusively from environmental factors, without any component of biochemical imbalance. Postpartum depression is unique in that it almost always is a function of environmental factors (in the form of life changes associated with pregnancy and changed body image and role issues) and organic factors (in the form of temporary hormonal changes) in combination."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Branden, N. (1998) A Woman's Self-Esteem: Struggles and Triumphs in the Search for Identity. Wiley & Sons: New York
• de Beauvoir, S. (1974 edition) The Second Sex. Vintage: New York
• Kasl, C. (1990) Women, Sex, and Addiction: A Search for Love and Power. Harper & Row: New York

More papers on "The Yellow Wallpaper":

• Analytical Essay # 127732 : "Jane's Insanity in "The Yellow Wallpaper"
• Essay # 89300 : "'The Yellow Wallpaper'"
• Book Review # 94713 : "Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper"
• Essay # 71169 : "Settings in the "Yellow Wallpaper"

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