Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper Active Reading Chart
The Yellow Wallpaper is a short story written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in 1892. It is a feminist classic that explores the mental and emotional deterioration of a woman who is confined to a room by her husband. The story has been interpreted in many ways over the years, and one way to approach it is through an active reading chart. An active reading chart is a tool that helps readers actively engage with the text and analyze its various elements. In this article, we will discuss Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper Active Reading Chart.
Part 1: Setting
The setting of a story is a crucial element that provides context for the events that unfold. In The Yellow Wallpaper, the setting is a mansion in the countryside where the protagonist is staying with her husband. The mansion has a large garden and is isolated from the rest of society. The wallpaper in the room where the protagonist is confined becomes a significant element of the setting as the story progresses.
Part 2: Characters
The characters in a story are the people who drive the plot forward. In The Yellow Wallpaper, the protagonist is a woman who is suffering from mental health issues. Her husband is a physician who believes that she needs rest and isolation to recover. The husband's sister is also a character who features in the story.
Part 3: Plot
The plot is the sequence of events that make up the story. In The Yellow Wallpaper, the protagonist is confined to a room by her husband, and she becomes obsessed with the wallpaper in the room. She begins to see a woman trapped behind the wallpaper and becomes increasingly unstable as the story progresses.
Part 4: Symbols
Symbols are objects, images, or actions that represent something else in a story. In The Yellow Wallpaper, the wallpaper is a symbol that represents the protagonist's mental state. The bars on the windows symbolize the protagonist's confinement, and the woman trapped behind the wallpaper symbolizes the protagonist's own entrapment.
Part 5: Themes
Themes are the underlying ideas or messages that a story conveys. In The Yellow Wallpaper, some of the themes include the oppression of women, the medicalization of women's bodies, and the dangers of isolation and confinement.
Part 6: Tone
Tone is the attitude of the author towards the subject matter of the story. In The Yellow Wallpaper, the tone is one of horror and madness. The story is a critique of the medical establishment and the patriarchal society that oppresses women.
Part 7: Point of View
Point of view is the perspective from which the story is told. In The Yellow Wallpaper, the story is told from the first-person perspective of the protagonist. This allows the reader to experience the protagonist's descent into madness firsthand.
Part 8: Irony
Irony is a literary device where the opposite of what is expected happens. In The Yellow Wallpaper, there are several instances of irony. For example, the husband believes that he is helping his wife by confining her to the room, but in reality, he is exacerbating her mental health issues.
Part 9: Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a literary device where the author hints at events that will happen later in the story. In The Yellow Wallpaper, there are several instances of foreshadowing. For example, the protagonist mentions that the wallpaper smells like yellow, which foreshadows her obsession with the wallpaper later in the story.
Part 10: Imagery
Imagery is a literary device where the author uses vivid descriptions to create a mental picture for the reader. In The Yellow Wallpaper, there are several instances of imagery. For example, the protagonist describes the wallpaper as having a "sprawling flamboyant pattern" that makes her feel dizzy.
Part 11: Allusion
Allusion is a literary device where the author references another work of literature or a historical event. In The Yellow Wallpaper, there are several instances of allusion. For example, the protagonist references the biblical story of Queen Jezebel, who was punished for her disobedience.
Part 12: Motif
Motif is a recurring element or theme in a story. In The Yellow Wallpaper, the motif of confinement and entrapment is present throughout the story. The protagonist is physically confined to the room, but she is also mentally and emotionally trapped by her illness and the expectations of society.
Part 13: Mood
Mood is the emotional atmosphere that the author creates in the story. In The Yellow Wallpaper, the mood is one of dread and horror. The reader is meant to feel the protagonist's increasing sense of isolation and despair as the story progresses.
Part 14: Protagonist's Transformation
The protagonist's transformation is a key element of the story. In The Yellow Wallpaper, the protagonist starts out as a woman who is suffering from mental health issues but is still somewhat in control of her thoughts and actions. As the story progresses, she becomes increasingly unstable and obsessed with the wallpaper, ultimately descending into madness.
Part 15: Husband's Role
The husband's role in the story is a controversial topic. Some readers view him as a well-meaning but misguided physician who is trying to help his wife. Others view him as a symbol of patriarchal oppression who is more concerned with maintaining control over his wife than with her well-being.
Part 16: Sister's Role
The sister's role in the story is relatively minor, but she serves as a contrast to the protagonist's husband. Whereas the husband is a symbol of patriarchal oppression, the sister is more sympathetic to the protagonist's plight and tries to help her.
Part 17: Psychological Interpretation
The Yellow Wallpaper is often interpreted through a psychological lens. Many readers view the story as a commentary on the treatment of mental illness in the 19th century and as a critique of the medical establishment's patriarchal attitudes towards women's bodies.
Part 18: Feminist Interpretation
The Yellow Wallpaper is also often interpreted through a feminist lens. Many readers view the story as a critique of the patriarchal society that oppresses women and denies them agency over their own bodies and minds.
Part 19: Historical Context
Understanding the historical context in which a story was written can provide valuable insights into its meaning. The Yellow Wallpaper was written in the late 19th century, a time when women's rights were severely restricted, and mental illness was often stigmatized and misunderstood.
Part 20: Literary Analysis
A literary analysis of The Yellow Wallpaper involves examining the various elements of the story and analyzing how they contribute to its meaning. This can involve looking at the setting, characters, plot, symbols, themes, tone, point of view, and other literary devices.
Part 21: Conclusion
The Yellow Wallpaper is a complex and multi-layered story that can be interpreted in many different ways. By using an active reading chart, readers can engage with the text more deeply and gain a better understanding of its various elements. Whether viewed through a psychological or feminist lens, The Yellow Wallpaper remains a powerful critique of the patriarchal society that oppresses women and denies them agency over their own bodies and minds.