Don Bosco Degree College Golaghat

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper (1892) is a pioneering literary work that exposes the flawed treatment of women’s mental health during the late 19th century. In an era when women’s emotional and psychological issues were often diagnosed as “hysteria,” many were subjected to restrictive and counterproductive treatments such as the “rest cure.” This paper analyzes The Yellow Wallpaper as a powerful representation of mental health disability, focusing on the protagonist’s psychological decline, the symbolic role of the yellow wallpaper, and the impact of patriarchal authority on her mental state. The study also draws parallels between the protagonist’s experiences and Gilman’s own life, revealing the author’s intent to challenge medical and social norms. By combining literary analysis with historical and feminist perspectives, this paper underscores the lasting relevance of Gilman’s work in contemporary conversations about mental health, gender oppression, and the importance of compassionate, individualized care.

Keywords: Mental health disability, feminism, patriarchy, hysteria, rest cure, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, The Yellow Wallpaper, symbolism, women’s oppression, literary analysis