Male Dominance and Victorian Women's Oppression in 'The Yellow Wallpaper'

Why were women so preoccupied with the male dominion in the late 19th Century?

In relation to the two literary works, it can be evident that women were relaying a crucial message about the discrimination and suffering they have been undergoing through on the hands of men. They reveal what happens to them in their respective homes and urge the young generation of women to rise and fight for their rights. It is evident when John's wife was up to saving the woman on the portrait regardless of her medical condition. Besides, Jennifer tries to explain how men create a lot of frustration to women, a situation which causes isolation and loneliness. For instance, Celie, a character in Isolation is facing isolation from both the father and the husband. It is in fact a double tragedy to her in this case. Besides, in Yellow wallpaper, John's husband is denied an opportunity to write and put her in a cage like room without care and concern. These show that in the past, women in the society have been put in oppression and discrimination. However, in the current situation, it is an awakening call for women to take action against curbing such frustrations in the long run. However, it can be evident that in the 19th century, women were mainly having their place in the house but not in the workplace. These were mainly dictated not by men but the doctrine of the church as well as the societal norms. However, the discrimination and abuse for women is not recommended since human beings need love and care.

To what degree do you feel male dominance have been exaggerated by female writers?

In relation to the literary work, I think the authors have exaggerated the extent to which women has been dominated in the society. Both the literary work portray men has those who causes frustration to women and they enjoy when women suffer. I tend to believe that it is the construct of the society which had given men such privileges over women. It was borrowed from the doctrine of the bible that women should be submissive to their husbands while men should love their wives. Therefore, equality could have been a controversial issue to be achieved during such times.

Also, it is an exaggeration when men are viewed as beasts and heartless. For instance, in Jennifer's work, after Caliban had stayed in isolation in the island for a period of time, he refers to the survivors of the shipwreck as beast and are unfit for human interactions. This is an exaggeration of the highest order since even if one has stayed away from people for a very long time; they will not be against people and abuse them. However, this was unlike women who enjoy life when they get a companion. On the other hand, in the case of the Yellow Wall paper, the author have exaggerated the plight of women since learned person in the caliber of John cannot expose her wife to such extreme emotional conditions since such practice is beyond the professional ethics. Besides, in the ancient time, it was the duty of men to take care of their wives especially when they give birth to a baby. Therefore, the extreme mistreatments can be considered to be an exaggeration.

In what ways were females held back prior to the mid-20th century?

Before, the 20th century, there are various ways in which women are held back in the society. They comprise of inability to work like men in the offices but were expected to cook and take care of the children in the society. Besides, they were not allowed to own property in their own name and not to engage in politics, economic or legal issues. Also, they were not allowed to attain education a part from that concerning the home and kitchen. These pushed the women to the corner hence a realization to fight for their rights.

Is Protagonist in the Yellow Wallpaper suffers from the mental disorder, post-partum disorder or something else?

I think the protagonist was suffering from a post-partum disorder. It is because the husband locked her in the room and she could not be in a position to read, write or walk. These caused a lot of pressure on her, a situation which caused a high level of depression. The husband never cared about the emotional feelings as well as other constructs which makes wife happy and strong especially after giving birth. Besides, even if the lady pleaded with her to change the wallpapers, he refused and instead shuns her. These made her to think about the plight of women and develop a strong feeling to fight for women's right.

Response to peer #1

In relation to the posts, I can be able to deduce that a proper understanding of the literary work has been demonstrated. The answers which have been provided are precise, accurate and up to standards. It shows that the believe content of the two literatures has been read and understood since a clear interpretations has been given while answering the questions. However, in certain instances, there are some errors in word choice especially in paragraph 2 first line. It means that this part should be revised to ascertain a high degree of accuracy. However, in general, the whole work is good.

Response to peer # 2

In this post, all the questions have been responded to in an appropriate and logical manner. All the prospects of the literary work have been identified and response to all questions has been appropriate and precise. However, in question 1, I tend not to disagree with the sentence which states that," Women knew how powerful they were and currently are". Yes indeed women are currently powerful just as men does. However, in the period when these two women were writing, women had the potential but they never had any power. Their power were curtailed by the male dominance which was dictated by the norms and doctrines practiced in the society.

The essay

In the Yellow Wallpaper's story, conflict is manifest between two groups of people. That is men and women. It depicts the society in which there is a high degree of male dominance hence causing oppression, insanity and separation among Victorian women. Women are depicted as weaker beings whose roles are in the home and kitchen. They are not allowed to seek for external education, work and make certain decisions which can change their lives. For instance, the protagonist's condition was getting worse day by day due to wrong diagnosis as well as failure to carry out exercise due to pain which she was undergoing through as a result of her husband's actions. Therefore, women are depicted as those who need freedom to make decisions and participate in various activities in the economy.

As the plot un-folds, the protagonist started to see hallucinations on the yellow wallpaper, a condition which shows that the depression was severe. This condition can be referred to post-partum depression. These did make the protagonist to start tearing the yellow wallpaper while scrolling, a situation which led to the death of her husband.

In the study, the main character is Mrs. John the pharmacist. The main antagonist who she was facing was Mr. John her husband. It is John who neglected and subjected her to such extreme conditions hence causing major problems to her. The main character had divergent characteristics as the story unfolds. However, the main ones comprise of being aware what is to be done, determined to embrace change, desperate for love and care, speak on behalf of others and being obedient and loyal to her husband. For instance, she could not change the room nor write without the consent of her husband. Besides, after realizing that she was locked into a room, show was fighting for other women, a process which is considered to be an awakening call for other women to follow suit. What motivates them to follow soot is the high level of men dominance in the society which causes discrimination and oppression among women.

In the story, there have been various minor characters. They comprise of Mary, the lady who takes care of the new born, the woman in the wallpaper and Jennie who was John's sister. These characters depict different sides of the coin. For instance, the woman in the wallpaper shows the vast number of women who are undergoing oppression and discrimination just like John's wife. On the other hand, Jennie seems not to care about the plight of John's wife but took all the responsibilities of a housewife without questioning. It reveals that women never had any voice in the society. Among both the minor and major characters, the narrator, John's wife and John are round while Jennie and marry are flat. Besides, in the study, the characters like John's wife are changing from being normal to a post-partum condition. Besides, John himself has also became unconscious and died. However, the other characters who were static were Mary, and Jennie. However, it can be evident that the author did show a high degree of bias to the protagonist since even though she was suffering, no one seemed to care about her plight.

In the story, the narrator is a character because he uses the first person pronouns like myself. Therefore, it can thus be evident that in the contemporary society, gender equality should not be women's agenda. However, it should be embraced by everyone in the society