Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper Active Reading Chart Answer Key
Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper is a short story that highlights the negative effects of the "rest cure" treatment for mental illness in the late 19th century. The story follows a woman who is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper and begins to see strange things in the pattern. To help students understand the story, teachers may use an active reading chart. Here is the answer key to the chart:
Part One: Understanding the Text
1. What is the protagonist's name?
The protagonist's name is not given in the story.
2. What is the setting of the story?
The story takes place in a house in the country.
3. What is the protagonist's relationship with her husband?
The protagonist's relationship with her husband is strained. She feels trapped and oppressed by him.
4. What is the "rest cure" treatment?
The "rest cure" treatment was a popular treatment for mental illness in the late 19th century. It involved complete rest and isolation from the outside world.
5. What is the significance of the yellow wallpaper?
The yellow wallpaper represents the protagonist's mental state. As she becomes more and more obsessed with the pattern, her mental health deteriorates.
Part Two: Analyzing the Text
1. How does the protagonist's mental state change over the course of the story?
The protagonist's mental state deteriorates over the course of the story. She becomes increasingly obsessed with the yellow wallpaper and begins to see strange things in the pattern.
2. What is the significance of the protagonist's hidden journal?
The protagonist's hidden journal reveals her true thoughts and feelings about her situation. It shows that she is not as passive as she initially appears.
3. What is the significance of the final scene?
The final scene shows the protagonist completely losing her grip on reality. She tears off the wallpaper and begins to crawl around the room, believing herself to be the woman she sees in the pattern.
Part Three: Making Connections
1. How does the story reflect the historical context in which it was written?
The story reflects the oppressive attitudes towards women and mental illness in the late 19th century.
2. How does the story relate to contemporary issues?
The story is still relevant today as it highlights the importance of mental health and the negative effects of oppressive treatments.
3. How does the story connect to other works of literature?
The story can be compared to other works of literature that explore the theme of mental illness, such as Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper is a powerful and thought-provoking story that highlights the negative effects of oppressive treatments for mental illness. By using an active reading chart, students can gain a deeper understanding of the text and its themes.