Ripping off the Wallpaper : Book Discussion on the Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
An insightful session was organized by BDM and English Literary Association, LSR keeping the topic as ‘RIPPING OFF THE WALLPAPER’. It was a discussion cum presentation on the book ‘THE YELLOW WALLPAPER’ by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The presentation was given by Aprajta Sharma, Ananya Rao, Urooj Fatima and Yashica from English department! It was an open session for all the colleges of Delhi University.
The discussion was about the Darwin principles and how the writer has depicted the lady in the wallpaper and illustrations of attitudes towards mental and physical health of women in the 19th century. Extremely cruel anti women perspective of women to be limited to the reproductive function and men to develop their reasoning faculty sentiments. Urooj explained how women are suppressed to possess the non-manly virtues to be an ideal wife, mother and lady. Ananya explained how yellow stands for the opposition of patriarchy, earlier mental illness was also treated as pathogenesis (physical). In the story itself, the placement of chains and nails over the bed of the protagonist symbolized the cruel ways in which she can be treated. Yashica mentioned how self-expression is important, but at the same time, the author restrains herself from expressing her perception clearly. This can be seen from the repetitive use of the word ‘but’ and very small conversation to escape from expressing her thoughts. This also showed the governance and forcible control she was under.
The Utopian view of feminism said that the increase of insanity of women is the consequence of increase in education. Aprajta then shared some insights on ‘Postpartum Depression’. Also, some lines were quoted openly in the session “I cry at nothing, and cry most of the time.” Metaphorical significance of wallpaper is a covering used to hide the cracks in narrator’s marriage and patriarchal society. The yellow color stands for shine, warmth and pleasure which was an insight to the life of her husband. At the end of the discussion, the stage was left open for the comments, discussions and agreements- disagreements. The session was marvelous and worth -attending.
The discussion was about the Darwin principles and how the writer has depicted the lady in the wallpaper and illustrations of attitudes towards mental and physical health of women in the 19th century. Extremely cruel anti women perspective of women to be limited to the reproductive function and men to develop their reasoning faculty sentiments. Urooj explained how women are suppressed to possess the non-manly virtues to be an ideal wife, mother and lady. Ananya explained how yellow stands for the opposition of patriarchy, earlier mental illness was also treated as pathogenesis (physical). In the story itself, the placement of chains and nails over the bed of the protagonist symbolized the cruel ways in which she can be treated. Yashica mentioned how self-expression is important, but at the same time, the author restrains herself from expressing her perception clearly. This can be seen from the repetitive use of the word ‘but’ and very small conversation to escape from expressing her thoughts. This also showed the governance and forcible control she was under.
The Utopian view of feminism said that the increase of insanity of women is the consequence of increase in education. Aprajta then shared some insights on ‘Postpartum Depression’. Also, some lines were quoted openly in the session “I cry at nothing, and cry most of the time.” Metaphorical significance of wallpaper is a covering used to hide the cracks in narrator’s marriage and patriarchal society. The yellow color stands for shine, warmth and pleasure which was an insight to the life of her husband. At the end of the discussion, the stage was left open for the comments, discussions and agreements- disagreements. The session was marvelous and worth -attending.
Written by Riya Yadav