The Yellow Wallpaper

The Yellow Wallpaper is a story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, first published in 1892. Emerging during a period when women’s health and autonomy were often dismissed, the work helped spark discussion around mental health, domestic confinement, and early feminist thought. Gilman, a leading advocate for women’s rights and social reform, drew upon her own experiences to craft a narrative that has since become a landmark in American literature.

The story follows an unnamed narrator whose husband, John, prescribes a period of enforced rest in a secluded country house. As she records her thoughts in her secret journal, she becomes increasingly fascinated – and unsettled – by the strange wallpaper in her room. The tale gradually unfolds as a psychological study of isolation, creativity, and the struggle for self-expression.

With its haunting atmosphere and subtle symbolism, the story remains a powerful exploration of identity, mental health, and the quietly oppressive forces within domestic life. Its enduring influence has made it a frequently studied work in literature, feminism, psychology, and cultural history.