The Yellow Wallpaper

The Yellow Wallpaper

“If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression- a slight  hysterical tendency--- what is one to do?. My brother is also a physician, and also of high standing, and he says the same thing. So I take phosphates or phosphites-- whichever it is and tonics, and journeys, and air, and exercise, and am absolutely forbidden to “work” until I am well again. Personally I disagree with their ideas. Personally, I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good.”(648)

In the novel from “ The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Stetson, the narrator mentions how her husband  says she has temporary nervous depression. He emphasizes there isn’t much to do but to let her recover slowly and  all she needs is to rest and not work. It is easy for John to decide what is best for his  wife. By following his instructions, the family can only hope she will improve.

In this passage the word “assures”, is used to eliminate any doubts or feelings the family might have towards the narrator. By John assuring friends and relatives, they feel like he is correct. However, the narrator's feelings and opinions were left behind.  Although, John intoxicates his wife with numerous of medications, he fails to consider any other remedies for her.

The more John indicates the narrator suffers of temporary nervous depression it terminates by making her believe she’s ill. The narrator asks “ What is one to do?” inquiring what would someone else do in her position. Searching for answers, she  tries to find more options. However, having her brother also being a physician, indicating she has nervous depression, it winds up leaving her with no alternatives.

As a result, the narrator lets that roll around  in her head. Whenever she does anything wrong or someone tells her a thing she always says “ maybe John is right”. Which it becomes an excuse. However, she clearly says her husband is a “high standing physician”,  but yet she hasn’t got better. In my perspective I would assume, she would be “cure” by now. Since the treatments she has been taking this time were supposed to  help her. Specially with the  Pills she has been taking ever since she was diagnosed.

Perhaps what she has is confusion. Perhaps, she might suffer of temporary nervous depression, but why if her husband is a physician she’s still not  doing well. How will she get better without receiving help from her family through love and care. At least by letting her work at home  by cleaning up, cooking or something close to that. It would benefit her, to get her mind distracted.