Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Yellow Wallpaper- A 19th Century Horror
I read this story once before but don't remember it having the same impact as it did this time. I enjoyed the discussion we had in class because we discussed feminism, supernatural, insanity, and horror. I believe there is definitely an element of horror within "The Yellow Wallpaper." I found (Jane's?) descent into insanity very similar to Jack's in "The Shining." Perhaps insanity itself is a horror element caused by the fear most people have of becoming insane. It is scary to watch someone as they slip further and further into madness, but it would be even more scary to think of that happening to you. Gilman took me by the hand and led me through the depths of insanity until it's frightening conclusion. I found the ending was the most frightening part of the story. As Dr. H. mentioned, I visualized the ending very similar to the movie "The Ring." I could see (Jane?) creeping along the side of the wall with a look of madness in her eyes that frightened her husband so much he fainted. The thought of her repeatedly circling around that room, creeping "over him every time," sends chills up my spine (Gilman 1695). I would believe that at the time it was written this would have definitely been a horror story comparable to Poe. I'm sure it also would have been a story people found difficult to believe could have been written by a woman in this time period.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It would be interesting to find out how many other women writers of the time period - or from previous time periods - had written stories with similar elements of horror. Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" immediately comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteInstead of The Ring, I always pictured the possessed girl from The Exorcist as she walked down the stairs like a crab. Anyway, to your point. I totatlly think that the "reality" behind this story is the most terrifying aspect of it. Concievably, anyone can go insane at some point. We all hope it never happens to us, as Jane's actions clearly would scare anyone who has a fear of going insane or suffering psychologically.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good comparison, Bethany, and I'm sure that in the time it was written, Frankenstein was a horror story. I didn't find it scary, though, like I did with The Yellow Wallpaper. I really think it is the reality of insanity that makes it so scary. Perhaps the lack of reality is why I don't find Frankenstein that frightening.
ReplyDeleteI love your reference to the Exorcist, Ryan! I found that scene about as spine tingling as Jane creeping over her husband. Someone in class mentioned about possession as a possibility. I wonder if it is possible that a demon has taken possession of Jane. She speaks of herself in 3rd person and claims to have been set free. Perhaps the yellow wallpaper was a border between the living and the dead, the spiritual versus physical, good against bad, and Jane has torn those walls down. She may be vulnerable now to the evil forces and that is why the bad spirits chose to take over her body.
I think a lot of people would think it scarier if it was a posession or "ghost" story, but in all reality I think that would take something away from it. The reality of the piece is that it can literally happen to anyone. No one is safe from mental illness.
ReplyDelete