Select The Correct Answer.In Which Of The Following Excerpts From The Yellow Wallpaper Does Author Charlotte Perkins Gilman Seem To Make A Reference To The Supernatural?A. A Colonial Mansion, A Hereditary Estate, I Would Say A Haunted House, And

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Introduction

"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a thought-provoking short story that delves into the themes of oppression, isolation, and the supernatural. Published in 1892, the story has been a subject of interest for scholars and readers alike, with its exploration of the protagonist's descent into madness. In this article, we will examine the excerpts from the story where the author seems to make a reference to the supernatural.

The Haunted House

A. "A colonial mansion, a hereditary estate, I would say a haunted house, and B. "The front door was locked and the windows were barred for my protection."

The first excerpt, "A colonial mansion, a hereditary estate, I would say a haunted house," suggests that the narrator is describing the setting of the story, a colonial mansion that has a dark and eerie atmosphere. The use of the word "haunted" implies that the house has a supernatural presence, which is a common theme in horror fiction. However, it is essential to note that the narrator's tone is not one of fear or dread, but rather one of curiosity and fascination.

The Yellow Wallpaper as a Symbol of the Supernatural

The yellow wallpaper itself becomes a symbol of the supernatural, representing the oppressive and confining nature of the narrator's life. The wallpaper's repetitive patterns and the way it seems to move and change before the narrator's eyes create a sense of unease and foreboding. The narrator's obsession with the wallpaper is a manifestation of her growing madness, and the wallpaper becomes a symbol of the supernatural forces that are driving her to the brink of insanity.

The Narrator's Descent into Madness

As the story progresses, the narrator's grip on reality begins to slip, and she becomes increasingly obsessed with the wallpaper. She starts to see patterns and shapes in the wallpaper, which she believes are messages from a supernatural force. The narrator's descent into madness is a gradual process, and the supernatural elements of the story become more pronounced as she becomes more and more unhinged.

The Significance of the Supernatural in "The Yellow Wallpaper"

The supernatural elements in "The Yellow Wallpaper" serve several purposes. Firstly, they create a sense of unease and foreboding, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the story. Secondly, they serve as a metaphor for the narrator's growing madness, highlighting the ways in which her perception of reality becomes distorted. Finally, the supernatural elements provide a commentary on the societal norms of the time, particularly the way in which women were treated as inferior and oppressed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the excerpts from "The Yellow Wallpaper" where the author seems to make a reference to the supernatural are the descriptions of the colonial mansion and the yellow wallpaper. The supernatural elements in the story serve as a metaphor for the narrator's growing madness and provide a commentary on the societal norms of the time. Through its exploration of the supernatural, "The Yellow Wallpaper" offers a thought-provoking critique of the oppressive nature of society and the ways in which it can drive individuals to the brink of madness.

References

  • Gilman, C. P. (1892). The Yellow Wallpaper. The New England Magazine.
  • Showalter, E. (1977). A Literature of Their Own: British Women Novelists from Bronte to Lessing. Princeton University Press.
  • Warner, M. (1994). From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers. Vintage Books.

Further Reading

  • "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (full text)
  • "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson
  • "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James

Discussion Questions

  1. How does the author use the supernatural elements in the story to create a sense of unease and foreboding?
  2. What role does the yellow wallpaper play in the narrator's descent into madness?
  3. How does the story comment on the societal norms of the time, particularly the way in which women were treated as inferior and oppressed?

Glossary

  • Supernatural: Refers to events or phenomena that cannot be explained by natural laws or scientific principles.
  • Madness: A state of mind characterized by a disconnection from reality, often resulting in irrational or bizarre behavior.
  • Colonial mansion: A large, old-fashioned house that was built during the colonial era.
  • Hereditary estate: A property that is passed down from one generation to the next through inheritance.
    Q&A: Unveiling the Supernatural in "The Yellow Wallpaper" =====================================================

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the supernatural elements in "The Yellow Wallpaper"? A: The supernatural elements in "The Yellow Wallpaper" serve several purposes. Firstly, they create a sense of unease and foreboding, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the story. Secondly, they serve as a metaphor for the narrator's growing madness, highlighting the ways in which her perception of reality becomes distorted. Finally, the supernatural elements provide a commentary on the societal norms of the time, particularly the way in which women were treated as inferior and oppressed.

Q: What role does the yellow wallpaper play in the narrator's descent into madness? A: The yellow wallpaper becomes a symbol of the narrator's growing madness, representing the oppressive and confining nature of her life. The narrator's obsession with the wallpaper is a manifestation of her growing madness, and the wallpaper becomes a symbol of the supernatural forces that are driving her to the brink of insanity.

Q: How does the author use the supernatural elements in the story to create a sense of unease and foreboding? A: The author uses the supernatural elements in the story to create a sense of unease and foreboding by describing the colonial mansion and the yellow wallpaper in a way that is eerie and unsettling. The use of words such as "haunted" and "barred" creates a sense of danger and foreboding, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the story.

Q: What is the significance of the narrator's descent into madness in "The Yellow Wallpaper"? A: The narrator's descent into madness is a significant element of the story, as it highlights the ways in which the societal norms of the time can drive individuals to the brink of madness. The narrator's growing madness is a manifestation of her oppression and confinement, and it serves as a commentary on the way in which women were treated as inferior and oppressed.

Q: How does "The Yellow Wallpaper" comment on the societal norms of the time? A: "The Yellow Wallpaper" comments on the societal norms of the time by highlighting the ways in which women were treated as inferior and oppressed. The narrator's confinement to the room and her lack of autonomy serve as a commentary on the way in which women were treated as inferior and were denied the right to make their own decisions.

Q: What is the significance of the title "The Yellow Wallpaper" in relation to the story? A: The title "The Yellow Wallpaper" is significant because it highlights the central theme of the story, which is the narrator's obsession with the yellow wallpaper. The title also serves as a commentary on the way in which the narrator's perception of reality becomes distorted, as she becomes increasingly obsessed with the wallpaper.

Q: How does the story's use of symbolism contribute to its overall meaning? A: The story's use of symbolism, particularly the yellow wallpaper, contributes to its overall meaning by highlighting the ways in which the narrator's perception of reality becomes distorted. The yellow wallpaper serves as a symbol of the narrator's growing madness, and it represents the oppressive and confining nature of her life.

Q: What is the significance of the narrator's final statement in the story? A: The narrator's final statement in the story, "I've got out at last," is significant because it highlights the ways in which the narrator has finally broken free from her confinement and her oppression. The statement also serves as a commentary on the way in which the narrator's perception of reality has become distorted, as she believes that she has finally escaped from her prison.

Q: How does "The Yellow Wallpaper" relate to the broader themes of feminism and oppression? A: "The Yellow Wallpaper" relates to the broader themes of feminism and oppression by highlighting the ways in which women were treated as inferior and oppressed during the time period in which the story was written. The narrator's confinement to the room and her lack of autonomy serve as a commentary on the way in which women were treated as inferior and were denied the right to make their own decisions.

Q: What is the significance of the story's use of imagery and description? A: The story's use of imagery and description is significant because it creates a sense of atmosphere and mood, which adds to the overall impact of the story. The use of words such as "yellow" and "barred" creates a sense of danger and foreboding, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the story.

Q: How does "The Yellow Wallpaper" contribute to the broader literary canon? A: "The Yellow Wallpaper" contributes to the broader literary canon by highlighting the ways in which women's experiences were marginalized and ignored during the time period in which the story was written. The story's use of symbolism and imagery serves as a commentary on the way in which women were treated as inferior and were denied the right to make their own decisions.

Q: What is the significance of the story's use of psychological realism? A: The story's use of psychological realism is significant because it creates a sense of authenticity and realism, which adds to the overall impact of the story. The use of psychological realism serves as a commentary on the way in which the narrator's perception of reality becomes distorted, as she becomes increasingly obsessed with the wallpaper.

Q: How does "The Yellow Wallpaper" relate to the broader themes of mental illness and madness? A: "The Yellow Wallpaper" relates to the broader themes of mental illness and madness by highlighting the ways in which the narrator's perception of reality becomes distorted, as she becomes increasingly obsessed with the wallpaper. The story serves as a commentary on the way in which mental illness and madness can be caused by societal pressures and expectations.