Bibliographic Essay on "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman Ruth Carol Berkin's "Self-Images: Childhood and Adolescence" discusses how the effect of major symbolic elements of women in literature are often portrayed in a position that is dominated by men, especially in the nineteenth century, women were repressed and controlled by their husbands as well as other male influences. In "The Yellow Wall-Paper," by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Berkin believes the narrator is oppressed and represents …showed first 75 words of 1168 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1168 total…twist on traditional symbols that usually provide a sense of security and safety adds to this woman's own oppression and contribute to the trapped feeling. Lane feels that Gilman pushes this to the limit by taking those characteristics closely associated with women and uses them against the narrator, to assist in her oppression. These symbols all effect the theme and complement the meaning of the story, both which deal with the unjust oppression of women.