Have you ever read “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman? If you haven’t, it’s a captivating short story that delves into the mind of a woman who is struggling with postpartum depression. Throughout the story, the woman becomes fixated on the yellow wallpaper in her room, which seems to take on a life of its own. As the story progresses, the color of the wallpaper becomes increasingly significant, serving as a symbol for the woman’s deteriorating mental state.
But what does the color yellow really symbolize in “The Yellow Wallpaper”? Many literary critics have debated this question, with some interpreting the color as representing sickness and disease, while others argue that it symbolizes the woman’s repressed creativity and vitality. Whatever your interpretation, there’s no denying that the color plays a key role in the story’s overall themes of isolation, confinement, and mental illness.
As you delve deeper into the story, you’ll begin to notice how the color yellow is used to create a sense of unease and tension. From the “irritating” pattern of the wallpaper to the “sickly, sulphur tint” of the color itself, the yellow hue serves as a constant reminder of the woman’s descent into madness. So, next time you read “The Yellow Wallpaper”, pay close attention to how the color yellow is used throughout the story and ask yourself: what does it really symbolize?
The Yellow Wallpaper as a Symbol of Women’s Oppression
The Yellow Wallpaper is a powerful illustration of how women were oppressed during the late 19th century. This short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman highlights the psychological and emotional impact of the patriarchal society that treated women as inferior and second-class citizens.
- The Yellow Wallpaper symbolizes the restrictions placed on women – The protagonist, who is suffering from postpartum depression, is confined to her bedroom as prescribed by her male physician and husband. The yellow wallpaper in the room becomes a symbol of her confinement and the restrictions placed on her as a woman. The narrator describes it as “repellent, almost revolting: a smouldering, unclean yellow.” The color of the wallpaper symbolizes the dull and stifling existence that women were expected to lead in that period.
- The woman behind the yellow wallpaper symbolizes women’s oppression – The protagonist sees a woman trapped behind the yellow wallpaper who is struggling to break free, which is symbolic of how women were subjugated by the patriarchal society. The woman is representative of the woman’s real self that is hidden behind the constraints put on them by the male-dominated society.
- The deterioration of the protagonist’s mental state symbolizes the impact of women’s oppression – The protagonist’s continued confinement and isolation in the room with the yellow wallpaper lead to her deteriorating mental state. She becomes paranoid, delusional, and eventually loses touch with reality. This is symbolic of the profound psychological impact of the oppression faced by women at that time.
Overall, The Yellow Wallpaper serves as a powerful commentary on how the patriarchal society oppressed women and restrained their potential for personal and professional growth. Through the symbolism of the yellow wallpaper, Gilman illustrates the psychological, emotional, and physical confinement faced by women, and the impact it had on their lives.
The Color Yellow as a Symbol of Mental Illness
Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” is a poignant literary work that portrays the complex relationship between mental illness and gender roles. The color yellow serves as a powerful symbol throughout the story, representing the protagonist’s deteriorating mental state.
- The Wallpaper:
- The Woman Trapped Behind the Wallpaper:
- The Yellow Smell:
The protagonist is fixated on the yellow wallpaper in her room, which she describes as “dull yet lurid” and “yellow…The color is repellent, almost revolting; a smouldering unclean yellow, strangely faded by the slow-turning sunlight.” (Gilman, 1892) The wallpaper becomes a metaphor for her own mind, which is trapped and deteriorating just like the patterns on the wall.
The protagonist sees a woman trapped behind the yellow wallpaper, trying to escape. This woman is a reflection of the protagonist’s own struggle to break free from the confines of her own mental illness. The woman’s frantic movements and attempts to escape symbolize the protagonist’s own sense of entrapment and desperation.
The protagonist describes a “yellow smell” in the room, which represents the foul odor of her own mental illness. The smell is inescapable and suffocating, just like the protagonist’s own struggles with her mental state.
The color yellow in “The Yellow Wallpaper” serves as a potent symbol of the protagonist’s deteriorating mental health. The wallpaper, the trapped woman, and the yellow smell all work together to depict the protagonist’s sense of entrapment and desperation. By using the color yellow as a symbol, Gilman powerfully portrays the destructive impact of mental illness on a person’s mind and life.
Overall, this literary work sheds light on the complexity of mental health issues and the need for greater understanding and support for those who are struggling with them.
The Color Yellow as a Symbol of Degeneration
In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the color yellow is used as a symbol of the protagonist’s mental and physical degeneration. As the story progresses, the yellow wallpaper that covers the room where the protagonist is confined becomes an embodiment of her own deteriorating mental state.
The color yellow is often associated with illness, decay, and madness. In the story, the protagonist’s obsession with the yellow wallpaper reflects her own descent into madness. The wallpaper itself becomes a metaphor for the protagonist’s deteriorating mental and physical health, as she becomes increasingly fixated on the pattern and begins to see disturbing visions within its design.
One of the most striking examples of this symbolism is the way the protagonist describes the wallpaper’s color. At first, she describes it as “sickly” and “unclean,” reflecting her own physical illness and the oppressive atmosphere of the room. However, as her condition worsens, the protagonist’s descriptions become more alarming. She begins to see the yellow as “sprawling, flamboyant patterns” that seem to crawl along the walls, indicating not just the wallpaper’s changing appearance, but the protagonist’s own unhinged state of mind.
- The color yellow can also be seen as a symbol of imprisonment and isolation. The protagonist is trapped in the room with the yellow wallpaper, which comes to represent her isolation from the outside world. Like the wallpaper, the protagonist is trapped in a pattern of behavior that is both self-destructive and inescapable.
- The yellow wallpaper also becomes a symbol of the patriarchal society that confines the protagonist. As she becomes more and more fixated on the wallpaper, she starts to see a figure trapped behind the pattern. This figure can be seen as a representation of the female identity that is suppressed by a male-dominated society. The protagonist’s obsession with the figure becomes a way for her to assert her own identity and break free from the constraints of her patriarchal culture.
- Finally, the color yellow can be seen as a symbol of decay and death. In the story’s climactic sequence, the protagonist rips the wallpaper from the wall, revealing what lies beneath. As she does so, she becomes convinced that she is freeing the trapped figure she has been seeing. However, as she peels back the layers of paper, she realizes that what lies beneath is not liberation, but rather a decayed, ruined wall that represents her own shattered mind.
Overall, the symbolism of the color yellow in “The Yellow Wallpaper” is a powerful representation of the protagonist’s mental and physical decline. By using the color yellow to represent madness, isolation, and decay, Gilman creates a haunting and unforgettable story about the dangers of confinement and the importance of personal freedom.
| Symbolism of the Color Yellow in “The Yellow Wallpaper” | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mental and physical deterioration | The protagonist’s obsession with the yellow wallpaper reflects her own declining mental and physical health. |
| Imprisonment and isolation | The protagonist is confined to the room with the yellow wallpaper, which represents her isolation from the outside world. |
| Patriarchal oppression | The figure behind the wallpaper can be seen as a symbol of the female identity that is suppressed by a male-dominated culture. |
| Decay and death | The wallpaper ultimately represents the protagonist’s own decayed and shattered state of mind. |
By understanding the symbolism of the color yellow in “The Yellow Wallpaper,” readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the themes of confinement, oppression, and mental illness that are explored in Gilman’s haunting tale.
The Color Yellow as a Symbol of Hopelessness
The color yellow in “The Yellow Wallpaper” symbolizes hopelessness, despair, and decay. Throughout the story, the color yellow is used to create an atmosphere of sadness and loneliness. Here are some of the specific ways that yellow is used to convey these feelings:
- The yellow wallpaper in the room is described as having “sprawling, flamboyant patterns” that make the narrator feel trapped and uncomfortable.
- The narrator describes the color of the wallpaper as “repellent, almost revolting; a smouldering unclean yellow.”
- The narrator compares the color of the wallpaper to the “unclean yellow” of an old, decaying tombstone.
All of these descriptions of yellow create a sense of hopelessness and decay. The narrator is trapped in her room, surrounded by this ugly, oppressive color, and she feels increasingly isolated and alone.
Even the fact that the story is called “The Yellow Wallpaper” is significant. By giving the story this title, Charlotte Perkins Gilman is drawing attention to the color yellow and its symbolic meaning. The narrator is not just trapped by the wallpaper itself, but by the hopelessness and depression that the color yellow represents.
Overall, the color yellow is a powerful symbol of hopelessness and despair in “The Yellow Wallpaper.” It creates a sense of oppression and decay that is central to the story’s themes of isolation and mental illness.
The Symbolism of the Bars on the Wallpaper
The bars on the wallpaper in “The Yellow Wallpaper” symbolize the limitations and restrictions placed on women’s freedoms and creativity in the late 19th century. The protagonist of the story is confined to a bedroom by her husband, who believes she is suffering from a nervous ailment and needs rest. However, her confinement begins to drive her mad, and she becomes obsessed with the wallpaper in her room.
- The bars on the wallpaper represent the conventional gender roles of the time. Women were expected to stay home, care for their children, and defer to their husbands’ wishes.
- The protagonist’s obsession with the bars on the wallpaper reflects her own feelings of confinement and powerlessness. She cannot express her own creativity or follow her own desires.
- The bars also symbolize the societal restrictions on women’s mental health. Women who expressed any kind of emotion were often diagnosed with hysteria and treated with rest cures, which only served to further restrict their freedoms.
In the story, the protagonist eventually tears off the wallpaper, freeing herself from the bars that have been holding her back. This act can be seen as a symbol of women breaking free from the constraints of society and asserting their own independence and creativity.
The symbolism of the bars on the wallpaper is a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by women in the past, and the importance of continuing to fight for gender equality and the empowerment of women today.
The Symbolism of the Pattern on the Wallpaper
In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the pattern on the wallpaper is a significant symbol that reflects the narrator’s mental state and her imprisonment in the male-dominated society. The intricate pattern is a source of distress and confusion for the narrator, leading her to obsessively analyze and decode its meaning.
- The pattern represents the societal norms and expectations that have trapped and oppressed the narrator. Just as the pattern repeats relentlessly, the narrator is forced to adhere to a rigid set of roles and behaviors that have been assigned to her based on her gender.
- The color of the wallpaper is yellow, which symbolizes sickness, decay, and madness. The yellow stains on the wallpaper become more prominent and vivid as the narrator’s mental state deteriorates.
- The pattern also represents the patriarchal system that has confined the narrator. The wallpaper’s intricate, labyrinthine design signifies the complexity of the society’s practices and rules that suppress and control women.
The narrator’s fixation on the wallpaper pattern is a manifestation of her attempts to break free from the societal constraints and to find a sense of identity and purpose as an individual. The pattern becomes a source of obsession for the narrator, and she begins to imagine that the patterns are moving and even descending from the wallpaper.
The narrator’s inability to escape the intricate pattern further highlights the societal limitations placed on women. The pattern is a metaphor for the narrator’s life, as she feels trapped and controlled by her gender and societal expectations.
| Symbolism of the Pattern on the Wallpaper | |
|---|---|
| The societal norms and expectations that have trapped and oppressed the narrator | Repetitive pattern |
| The patriarchal system that has confined the narrator | Intricate, labyrinthine design |
| The narrator’s attempts to break free from the societal constraints and find a sense of identity | Becomes a source of obsession for the narrator |
The yellow wallpaper’s pattern is a powerful symbol that represents the narrator’s struggles to break free from the societal norms and expectations that have confined her. The wallpaper’s intricate design and yellow color signify society’s limitations on women and how they can lead to madness and decay.
The Symbolism of the Moon in the Wallpaper
The yellow wallpaper in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story is filled with symbolism, and the moon is one of the most significant recurring symbols. The moon is a symbol of feminine power, and in the wallpaper, it plays an important role in the narrator’s downward spiral into madness.
- The phases of the moon: The different phases of the moon represent the different stages of the narrator’s mental deterioration. At first, the moon is a small sliver in the sky, just like the initial signs of the narrator’s anxiety and restlessness. As the story progresses, the moon becomes fuller and more prominent, which mirrors the narrator’s increasing obsession with the wallpaper.
- Lunacy: The word “lunacy” comes from the Latin word “luna,” which means moon. The moon has long been associated with madness and irrational behavior, and this association is evident in the story. The more the narrator fixates on the moon and the wallpaper, the more her mental state unravels.
- Isolation: The moon is often associated with loneliness and isolation, which are key themes in the story. The narrator is confined to a single room for weeks on end, with only the wallpaper and her own thoughts for company. The moon is a reminder of the outside world that she can no longer experience.
The moon is also present in the physical appearance of the wallpaper. The narrator describes it as “the strangest yellow, … the color of the sun itself. It dwells in my mind so!” (Gilman). This vivid yellow hue could be interpreted as a representation of the sun’s warmth and vitality, which stands in sharp contrast to the narrator’s own lack of energy and motivation. The moon’s symbolic significance, combined with the wallpaper’s yellow color, creates a powerful image of the narrator’s mental state.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Phases of the Moon | The different phases of the moon represent the different stages of the narrator’s mental deterioration. |
| Lunacy | The moon is often associated with madness and irrational behavior, and this association is evident in the story. |
| Isolation | The moon is often associated with loneliness and isolation, which are key themes in the story. |
In conclusion, the moon plays a crucial role in the symbolism of the yellow wallpaper. Its association with femininity, madness, and isolation adds depth to the story and enhances our understanding of the protagonist’s mental state. As readers, we are left to contemplate the deeper meanings and implications of this powerful symbol long after the story has ended.
The Symbolism of the Faded Color of the Wallpaper
In “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the faded color of the wallpaper is a prominent symbol throughout the story. As the protagonist spends more time in the room with the yellow wallpaper, the color becomes more and more faded, which mirrors her mental state and the deterioration of her mind. Here are some of the key elements of the symbolism of the faded color:
- The fading of the color represents the loss of vitality and energy in the protagonist. The more the color fades, the less life she feels inside her.
- The faded color also mirrors the protagonist’s mental state, as she becomes more and more isolated and disconnected from reality.
- The color also represents the confinement and oppression that the protagonist feels in her life. As the wallpaper fades and becomes more oppressive, so too does her sense of entrapment and confinement.
Here is a deeper analysis of the symbolism of the faded color of the wallpaper:
The fading of the color is particularly significant because it is a gradual process. At first, the wallpaper is a bright, vivid yellow, which represents the protagonist’s initial excitement and enthusiasm for the room. As time passes, the color begins to fade, which parallels the protagonist’s physical and mental deterioration. This gradual fading also symbolizes the insidious nature of the oppression that the protagonist experiences. Just as the color slowly fades away, so too does the protagonist’s sense of agency and control in her own life.
The symbolism of the faded color is also rooted in the historical context of the story. At the time when “The Yellow Wallpaper” was written, wallpaper was very popular and was used in many homes. The protagonist’s obsession with the wallpaper mirrors the societal obsession with material goods and superficial appearances. The faded color represents the decay and decomposition that are inherent in any material object, and serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that true meaning and beauty lie beneath the surface.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Faded Color | Loss of vitality and energy, connection to mental state, confinement and oppression |
The symbolism of the faded color is a powerful reminder of the fragility of the human psyche and the danger of neglecting one’s inner life. By drawing attention to the fading of the wallpaper, Gilman highlights the importance of paying attention to one’s own mental health and taking steps to protect it.
The Symbolism of Nature in the Wallpaper
Throughout the story, the color yellow symbolizes madness and insanity. However, the wallpaper in itself is a motif that repeatedly symbolizes the narrator’s oppression. The narrator can see odors and colors in a person’s aura. This gift, combined with her overactive imagination, brings an eerie quality to the story, which is only compounded by her perception of the yellow wallpaper.
- The wallpaper pattern in the story resembles the bars in a jail cell, symbolizing the narrator’s imprisonment in her life as a mother and wife.
- The narrator’s obsession with the wallpaper represents her desire for independence and freedom from her oppressive role as a wife and mother.
- Nature acts as a symbol of freedom and escape from the confines of the wallpaper. The narrator longs to be wrapped in nature and to find solace from the oppressive wallpaper.
Additionally, the use of the number 9 in the story is significant. The narrator describes the wallpaper pattern as having “long, straight lines” that “suddenly commit suicide.” This phrase appears nine times throughout the story, which is a significant number in both numerology and religion.
In numerology, nine is considered a number of culmination and completion, representing the end of a cycle and the start of a new chapter. In this sense, the repeated use of the phrase serves to highlight the narrator’s desire for change and her need to escape her current situation. Moreover, in the Bible, nine is associated with suffering, which is an apt description of the narrator’s mental state throughout the story. Thus, the use of the number 9 reinforces the themes of oppression, change, and suffering present in the story.
| Nature Symbolism in the Wallpaper | Description |
|---|---|
| Trees and Flowers | Represent the natural world, which the narrator longs to be a part of. |
| The Sun | Symbolizes the possibility of enlightenment and freedom. |
| The Moon | Symbolizes the narrator’s inner turmoil and struggle to break free from her oppression. |
The nature symbolism present in the yellow wallpaper serves not only to highlight the narrator’s desire for freedom but also to provide a contrast to the oppressive and maddening wallpaper that dominates the story. It reinforces the idea that nature represents liberation and escape from the entrapment of society’s expectations, particularly for women.
The Symbolism of the Torn Wallpaper
In “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the torn wallpaper in the narrator’s room symbolizes her deteriorating mental state and the societal restrictions placed upon women during the time period it was written.
- The more the narrator obsesses over the wallpaper, the more it begins to reflect her own mental state. As she becomes more unhinged, the wallpaper takes on a life of its own, representing the tangled mess of her thoughts and emotions.
- The torn state of the wallpaper also represents the societal restrictions placed upon women during this time. The narrator feels trapped, both physically and mentally, just as women were oppressed and restricted during this era.
- The patterns in the wallpaper further symbolize the rigid societal norms that women were expected to conform to. The narrator’s fascination with the patterns represents her inner struggle with the weight of these expectations and the toll they take on her mental health.
In addition, the physical tearing of the wallpaper reflects the narrator’s desire to break free from her own restrictions and the societal expectations placed upon her.
| Symbolism | Description |
|---|---|
| Torn wallpaper | Narrator’s deteriorating mental state and societal restrictions |
| Patterns in wallpaper | Rigid societal norms for women |
| Physical tearing of wallpaper | Narrator’s desire to break free from societal restrictions |
Overall, the torn wallpaper in “The Yellow Wallpaper” serves as a powerful symbol for the narrator’s mental state and societal restrictions that women faced during this time. It represents the inner turmoil that was often hidden by societal expectations and the frustration that came with not being able to fully express oneself.
What Does the Color Symbolize in The Yellow Wallpaper?
1. What color is the wallpaper in the story?
The wallpaper in the story is yellow. It is the protagonist’s obsession that grows throughout the story.
2. What does the yellow color represent?
The yellow color represents sickness, decay, and an ominous feeling of foreboding. It symbolizes a deteriorating mental state and a descent into madness.
3. How does the yellow wallpaper affect the protagonist?
As the protagonist spends more time in the room with the yellow wallpaper, the color and pattern begin to consume her thoughts and emotions. Her obsession with it leads to her downward spiral into insanity.
4. Does the color yellow have any positive symbolism in the story?
No, there is no positive symbolism associated with yellow in the story. Instead, it represents the destructive force that the protagonist must overcome.
5. What other colors are present in the story?
Aside from the yellow wallpaper, there are also shades of grey and white. These colors represent the sterile, clinical environment of the protagonist’s confinement.
6. What does the contrast between the yellow wallpaper and the other colors symbolize?
The contrast between the yellow wallpaper and the white and grey environment symbolizes the protagonist’s conflict between the desire for creative expression and the oppressive forces that seek to constrain her.
7. How does the color symbolism contribute to the overall meaning of the story?
The color symbolism in the story helps to illustrate the protagonist’s psychological deterioration and her eventual triumph over the oppressive forces that seek to control her. It also highlights the necessary role of creativity and self-expression in human flourishing.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for taking the time to explore the color symbolism in The Yellow Wallpaper. Hopefully, this article has deepened your understanding of the story’s themes and symbolism. Be sure to visit again for more literary analysis and commentary that brings the written word to life.