In this term Paper, I argue that Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s "The Yellow Wallpaper" transcends a simple narrative of madness, instead serving as a powerful feminist critique of patriarchal control and societal oppression. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, I integrate affect theory and feminist literary analysis to uncover how the protagonist’s emotional descent becomes a subversive act of defiance. Drawing on Spinoza’s concept of affect as “the power to affect and be affected” and Massumi’s interpretation of pre-personal intensities, I demonstrate that the protagonist’s affective journey challenges the gender norms and medical authority imposed by her husband, a physician embodying patriarchal control.
My research method combines close textual analysis with theoretical frameworks from scholars such as Brian Massumi, Gilles Deleuze, and Sara Ahmed. This theoretical lens allows for a nuanced examination of affective experiences in literature, particularly the protagonist’s complex emotional reactions to her environment and interactions with male figures. Historical contextualization of 19th-century gender roles and societal expectations, grounded in the works of Regina Markell Morantz and Catherine Golden, provides crucial insights into the pressures women faced as custodians of domestic and family health.
The analysis delves into key elements such as the symbolic act of peeling the wallpaper, which emerges as an embodied and affective rebellion against societal imprisonment. Rather than a descent into madness, this act signifies the protagonist’s journey toward self-awareness and liberation.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Methodical approach and contextualization
- 2.1 Affect as the "power to affect and to be affected"
- 2.2 Motherhood, gender roles and the impact of expectations in the 19th century
- 2.3 Feminism as a Key to Understanding in the Analysis of Gilman's Work
- 3. Analysis
- 3.1 The Yellow Wallpaper and the Men's Discourse: Medicine as a Means of Patriarchy and Control
- 3.2 The Peeling of the Paper as the Main Affective Component in The Yellow Wallpaper
- 4. Conclusion
- 5. Bibliography
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis analyzes Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper through the lens of feminism and affect theory, specifically Spinoza's concept of affect as "the power to affect and to be affected." The primary objective is to demonstrate how the protagonist's emotional journey constitutes a form of resistance against patriarchal constraints. The analysis will explore the interplay between the protagonist's affective experiences, her relationship with her husband, and the societal expectations placed upon women in the 19th century.
- Feminist resistance in The Yellow Wallpaper
- Affect theory and its application to literary analysis
- The role of 19th-century gender roles and expectations
- The significance of the "rest cure" and medical authority
- The symbolic representation of the yellow wallpaper
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper, framing it as a feminist narrative of silent rebellion. It establishes the thesis's central argument: the protagonist's emotional experiences represent a deliberate act of resistance against patriarchal constraints. The introduction highlights the use of affect theory and its relevance to understanding the protagonist's emotional journey within its historical context.
2. Methodical approach and contextualization: This chapter lays the groundwork for the analysis by establishing the theoretical framework. It begins by exploring affect theory, focusing on Spinoza's concept of "power to affect and to be affected," and Massumi's interpretation of affect as a prepersonal, bodily process. It then delves into the historical context of 19th-century gender roles and the societal expectations surrounding motherhood, connecting these to the protagonist's emotional state and experiences. The chapter emphasizes the importance of understanding both the theoretical and historical context for a thorough analysis of The Yellow Wallpaper.
3. Analysis: This chapter presents the core analysis of The Yellow Wallpaper, divided into two subsections. It will examine how the text portrays the dynamics of power between the protagonist and her husband, particularly focusing on the medical discourse used to control and silence her. Further, this section will analyze the significance of the yellow wallpaper as a key affective component driving the narrative, symbolizing the protagonist's growing sense of confinement and her eventual rebellion. The chapter will explore the peeling of the wallpaper as a representation of the protagonist's mental and emotional unraveling, ultimately demonstrating her silent rebellion.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The Yellow Wallpaper, feminism, affect theory, Spinoza, 19th-century gender roles, motherhood, patriarchal constraints, resistance, medical authority, rest cure, symbolic representation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main topic of the language preview about "The Yellow Wallpaper"?
The language preview provides an overview of a planned analysis of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper." It outlines the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords for an academic paper analyzing the story through the lenses of feminism and affect theory.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The key themes include feminist resistance, affect theory and its application to literary analysis, 19th-century gender roles and expectations, the significance of the "rest cure" and medical authority, and the symbolic representation of the yellow wallpaper itself.
What is affect theory, and how is it used in the analysis?
Affect theory, particularly Spinoza's concept of "the power to affect and to be affected," is used as a framework to understand the protagonist's emotional journey and how it relates to her resistance against patriarchal constraints. The analysis will explore how the protagonist's affective experiences contribute to her rebellion.
What is the significance of the "rest cure" in the context of "The Yellow Wallpaper"?
The "rest cure," a common medical treatment in the 19th century, is examined as a means of patriarchal control. The analysis investigates how the protagonist's forced confinement and lack of intellectual stimulation contribute to her mental and emotional decline.
What does the yellow wallpaper symbolize in the story?
The yellow wallpaper is interpreted as a symbolic representation of the protagonist's confinement, her suppressed creativity, and her eventual rebellion against societal expectations. The act of peeling the wallpaper is seen as a metaphor for her mental and emotional unraveling.
What are the main arguments presented in the analysis?
The analysis argues that the protagonist's emotional experiences constitute a form of resistance against patriarchal constraints. It also explores how the protagonist's relationship with her husband and the societal expectations placed upon women in the 19th century contribute to her affective experiences.
What are the key chapters of the study?
The study contains these chapters: Introduction, Methodical Approach and Contextualization, Analysis, Conclusion, and Bibliography.
What aspects are covered in the Methodical Approach and Contextualization chapter?
This chapter explains the theoretical framework of affect theory, specifically Spinoza's concept and Massumi's interpretation. It also explains the 19th-century gender roles, societal expectations of motherhood, and their impact on the protagonist. The importance of historical and theoretical understanding is also emphasized.
What main topics does the analysis of the Yellow Wallpaper cover?
The analysis covers the power dynamics between the protagonist and her husband, the medical discourse used to silence her, and the significance of the yellow wallpaper as a means to rebellion and feeling of confinement.
What keywords are associated with the study of "The Yellow Wallpaper?"
The associated keywords are "The Yellow Wallpaper," feminism, affect theory, Spinoza, 19th-century gender roles, motherhood, patriarchal constraints, resistance, medical authority, rest cure, and symbolic representation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Victoria Giambra (Autor:in), 2024, Unveiling Feminist Resistance. Affect, Gender, and Rebellion in "The Yellow Wallpaper", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1559618
