Y: The Yellow Wallpaper (2022 A-Z)
The Yellow Wallpaper
I lie awake, unmoving, terrified. I know she’s watching me from within the wall, I can see the tilt of her head, the searing gaze that holds me still. I want to close my eyes, I do not want to know anything more. But I am too paralyzed to even do that. She drags her gaze away, focusing on the steel bars instead. I watch her grip two bars, and she looks back at me. I cannot breathe. Smiling, she effortlessly bends both aside.
I do not realize I am screaming until the lights turn on. The wall is blank.
Click here for the entire 2022 A-Z Collection
Charlotte Perkins Gilman penned The Yellow Wallpaper, a short story. It outlines the story of a woman, captive under the guise of being ‘cared for’. Said to be suffering from a ‘mental illness’, she stays in a worn-down yet sprawling old property on the outskirts of a town, away from other civilization. Her husband is her only caretaker and decision maker. Isolated, unable to communicate with others, loaded on medications, she starts seeing unnatural events in the dead of the night. Whether the events actually transpire, or she’s genuinely mentally ill, or she’s made to appear ill is never stated until the end. However, it leaves the premise open to all perspectives – throwing light on gaslighting, controlling elements within human behaviour. The book intends to increase awareness on mental illnesses and fallouts.
Thank you for your visits and comments on my blog posts. I’m only just getting into visiting blogs on the list. I like your theme for this year’s challenge. I’ve read some of the books on your list but chose this post as I hadn’t read the book. You conveyed a lot in your 100 words and definitely captured the essence of the book you described.
Welcome aboard, Wendy! same here – May is more around reading posts! For me personally, short posts are the only way I seem to be able to complete my A-Z! Thank you!
As I mentioned in your reflections post… this one caught my eye. I just ordered it from Amazon…do you get a commission . There is actually a way to set it up so if readers click on the book it would bring them directly to Amazon or other places to make the purchase. Anyhoot, thank you for bringing my attention to this book…can’t wait to read it I’ll be checking some of your other posts also.
Cheers,
Barbie
Different books appeal differently depending on the timing in life when we read these. From a book perspective, it does a decent job but for our sakes, not resonating with it would actually be a good thing! Let me know what you think! And, welcome aboard!
This short story has haunted me since I read it in high school. You did a great job of portraying the narrator’s unsettled mind. I always felt so heartbroken for this character.
Thank you Anstice, welcome to the site. And yes, it’s a creepy thing that stays in you for a while. Still makes me shudder as I think of it.
Good one
Thank you!
This book seems really the kind which keeps you gripped till the end. How much you’d want to help the protagonist or know exactly what is wrong with her right from the very beginning. 👍👍👍Good Choice Deepa👌👌👌👌
Thanks Ranjana! The book was intended to increase mental health awareness and it definitely did do a good job! It’s unbelievable how much harm mental and emotional manipulation and control, gaslighting can do to one’s psyche.
I really got scared as I read this with a yellow wall right in front of me at 11 pm.
Definitely a very strong book. Definitely not reading at night!
Hahaha, hopefully you don’t end up having nightmares! It’s a very short read though, for some other time, whenever you decide to repaint your house!
I was hoping it’s just a horror story but premise seems more scary and sad 🙁 even if short post u establish a lot in it👍🏻
It is. I think the book starts off with the horror part of it – but what makes it worse is the whole premise of manipulation, control and gaslighting. Thank you Afshan!
Very well written Deepa.
short , simple ..yet powerful . Loved reading it all.
Keep writing . You inspire many .. way to go
Best wishes dear 🤗
Thank you so much for all the encouragement and love, Anu! Stick around!
Beautiful..