Topic > Feminism and freedom in The Yellow Wallpaper and The Story of an Hour

In “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin we see how in this period life revolves around how men see women and their qualities. “The Story of an Hour” relates to “The Yellow Paper” because they share ideas of feminism and freedom. Both stories show women trying to live up to social standards on their journey to freedom. In these two stories, doctors use rest treatment to address women's conditions. In "The Yellow Wallpaper", the main character is diagnosed with mental depression by her husband, an accomplished doctor. She and her husband move to an isolated villa, unsuccessfully, to find a solution to her depression. Her husband forces her to stay in a specific room that she doesn't like, so he is responsible for her suffering. He forces her to stay in a room without going out, which takes away her freedom. In the 'Story of an Hour', the protagonist, also a woman, remains alone in a room in search of freedom. In order to live her life she wants to be separated from her husband. However, during this time she is denied her freedom and remains stranded with her husband. Then she died of a heart attack due to her denial of freedom. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The two stories describe two women who desperately seek freedom but do not get it because they are controlled by their husbands. In "The Story of an Hour", Louise confesses that since she got married, her life has changed. When she is informed that her husband has died, she experiences a feeling of happiness when she imagines life without him. He says that his soul and body are finally free (Chopin 543). However, she is disappointed after finding out that her husband is not dead. Similarly, the woman in “The Yellow Wallpaper” also does not receive freedom from her husband. Her husband prevents her from spending her time in the room where she wishes to stay. He doesn't allow her to do what she wants and become the person she wants to be (Gilman 846). In both stories, locked rooms are used to help the reader understand the private thoughts running through the characters' minds. When they are not in the rooms, women's actions conform to society's expectations. However, when they are confined to solitary rooms where they are not with their husbands, a significant change is observed. The woman in “The Yellow Wallpaper” has mental problems and is prevented from doing any activity. When she is left alone in the room, her thoughts focus only on the pattern of wallpaper in the room until she goes mad. At one point, he tries to free himself by destroying an image resembling a woman he finds in the scheme. She tries to find an identity with the woman and tries to seek freedom, but she goes mad. In “The Story of an Hour,” Louise can identify with the narrator of “The Yellow Paper” because she too is confined to a room that ultimately serves as a platform that leads her to ultimate freedom. In the room, the reader can understand what Louise is thinking. Just like the woman in "The Yellow Wallpaper", she displays different behavior in the room. The rooms in these stories are used as avenues through which the characters destroy themselves. In “The Yellow Wallpaper” and “The Story of an Hour” women are portrayed as people who achieve freedom by adhering to social norms. When Louise learns of her husband's death, she locks herself in a room. While in the room, she experiences a feeling of confidence that she has never felt before, as confirmed by her exclamations that she is finally free (Chopin 856)..