Literary Devices In The Yellow Wallpaper

Words: 966
Pages: 4
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Priscilla Etim
ENGL 2328
Dr. Lisa Kirby
April 4, 2017
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Multiple elements in a work of literature contribute to the overall interpretation and comprehension to the author’s audience. Literary elements such as symbolism, characterization, theme, style, tone, and figurative language pertain the success of a work of literature. Individuals who evaluate and analyze literary text develop literary criticism regarding their specific point of view on various elements and topics used in a work of literature. In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”, she illustrates Jane, the narrator, is suffering from a psychological disorder due to her increasing madness of confinement from the yellow wallpaper. The narrator’s madding psychological …show more content…
Over the years, critics have evaluated and provided plausible support regarding their interpretations of female confinement, patriarchal superiority, and psychological symbolism for “The Yellow Wallpaper”. Unlike the rest of her counterparts, one critic known as Barbara A. Suess thoroughly elaborates on multiple topics pertaining to feminism, the evident patriarchal societal structure, and how the involvement of the narrator provides an excellent establishment for the Lacanian Psychoanalysis Theory.
In Suess’ “The Writing’s on the Wall: Symbolic Orders in ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’”, she provides an in-depth analysis of Jane’s relationship with the yellow wallpaper. From the beginning, Suess establishes a well understood interpretation of females during the early 1900’s stating “women have been socially, historically, and medically constructed as not only weak, but sick beings” (Suess 2). Unlike their male counterparts, women have failed to be perceived as equals. Because of this unjust and prejudice standard, Gilman decides to portray the narrator as an opposition to the norms of the patriarchal society through multiple …show more content…
Suess continues to discuss the various sublevels which are established within the Lacanian Psychoanalytic Theory. She mainly draws her focus on the concept of the “mirror stage. The “mirror stage” elaborates on the notion of which Lacan’s view of establishment between the individual and its reality. During this the “mirror stage” process, an individual “begins to recognize his or her place in a social context, which initiates the recognition of the Name-of-the-Father as ‘law’” (Suess 3). Suess’ definition of the “mirror stage” enlightens the realization of Jane’s confrontation with the real world through societal standards. The “mirror stage” establishes the acceptance of individuals which are specifically geared towards the norms of society. Individuals who choose to accept the norms of society eventually lose their unique identity. However, individuals who repress their desire of uniqueness or abnormality, will not be accepted by society. From this perspective, the individual suffers from a difficult decision: deny one’s true identity to be accepted into society or refuse to repress one’s desires and become a social outcast. This scenario is quite similar to Jane from Gilman’s short story. As the author portrays Jane, she does not signify as a woman who is
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