The Yellow Wallpaper

When we discussed the symbolism and significance of the wallpaper in class today, I found a lot of resonance with what one classmate said about how how the room and wallpaper both lend itself to the theme of oppression. In her analysis, she said that the walls of the room itself were the physical manifestation of the trapped feeling that women subjected to the rest cure treatment felt. In addition, she also said it could be a physical representation of how women are oppressed from the public sphere, and concluded that the wallpaper was a way to "cover-up" those oppressions and justify continuing those actions towards women. That being said, I feel that those themes of oppression and what that one classmate brought up in her analysis still prevail in modern society. However, the sexism that exists today does not only use overt methods, but subtle ones as well.

For example, let's take a look at the word "slut." I won't bother going into the definitions since everyone knows what the word means. However, if you read the definitions of the word "slut" in the Oxford dictionary, most of the definition denote the world pertaining to a woman. Now, try finding the male equivalent of the word "slut" that is in the Oxford dictionary. You won't find one. 

But as a sensible person knows, there are men who are equally promiscuous as a "slut." Yet, a man is not condemned for his sexually promiscuous actions. In contrast, a woman who practices these same actions is criticized and talked down to. Therefore, women are given a double standard to uphold.

Because of this, the word "slut" and other derogatory words for women have spiraled way out of proportion from their original definitions and creates a room similar to the one in The Yellow Wallpaper that confines women to the double standard that those words entail. When clothing is revealing, it is "slutty," when one girl doesn't like another girl, they elevate themselves by calling the other one a "slut." The word "slut" as a term of endearment for friends. The list goes on and on about how it's used, and I'm sure you have examples of hearing the word in everyday settings.

The wallpaper, then, is the encouragement of continuing to use those words to falsely label women. However, this wallpaper is subtle and can be understood through the "When in Rome..." saying. For example, if girls call each other "sluts", then it must be okay for guys to call girls "sluts" too, etc. Although those words sound harsh, the frequency of how it's used desensitizes a majority of people to it's impact, which is a dangerous area especially when many express being upset with being called those names. In the story, a similar situation can be seen with John and the narrator and the way he dismisses her complaints and concerns as trivial.

The word "slut" and other derogatory terms should not be used to describe revealing clothing, sexual actions, or as a word to bully. In reality, there should be no condemning term for sexual promiscuity,  regardless of gender. Instead, we should acknowledge that it is a personal choice that comes with it's own set of consequences and responsibilities. More importantly, those choices do not define a person as a whole. Same goes with revealing clothing. If someone is comfortable wearing those clothes, then who are we to say something about it? Yet, it is so integrated into our society that the full removal of such hurtful words is futile.